Article 370 Review: I have just witnessed history.  Director Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s Article 370  , has  that rare  stamp of excellence  on every frame that differentiates the  pulpy propaganda  of the Kashmir and Kerala  kind  from a film that  actually  has its research in place and  is so focussed in telling a gripping though authentic  story, that it forgets  there are people out there, lots of them, who don’t want to hear the truth.

Movie	Article 370
Director	Ibrahim Baloch
Writers	Ibrahim Baloch, Shuja Uddin
Stars	Ghazala Kaifee, Abdul Muqeet, Mariyam Nafees
Duration	2h 40m
Genre	Drama, Political
Certification	UA
Release Date	23 Feb, 2024
Rating	****

The truth, ,my  beloved nation, is not always  sugar-coated in cinema. Nor does it  need to be unnecessarily  brackish. Not that Article 370 takes the middlepath. Far from it. The  film  is crafted with the diligence of  a Kashmiri carpet ,at the same  it conveys the smooth moves  of  a shikara on Dal Lake. Even when a  bomb goes off, there is  no stopping absorb the shock.

Am I eulogizing a work that  takes off from  Frame One  and  never stops to catch  its  breath? I am! This is film that must be seen by every Indian. There are  several episodes in this stunning  political drama that are heartstopping  in their intensity.

When we see the film’s hero Zooni Haksar(Yami Gautam)  for the first time she is  pretending to be  a beautician  paying a visit to a bratty  girl in Srinagar who is in an affair with a hardcore terrorist(Burhan, if you must know).

The irony of a no-nonsense intelligence agent logging into the terror conclave  that had taken over  the Kashmir Valley  with the  connivance  of local religious leaders and politicians, masquerading as  a cosmetic agent is not lost on us.
This  is an  impressively staged  chronicle of  the events leading up to the abrogation of  Article 370 in the Valley . It is volatile  and vibrant. But seldom does  it   reach into the  crevices of  patriotic cliches  to get brownie  points.

And listen,there is not a shot of Indian  flag anywhere!For a  film which is fiercely patriotic  at heart, that in itself is a miracle.

The atmosphere bristles with a reined-in tension.  There is  no room for smiles and  love glances, although  I suspect  Zooni is  in love with a fellow soldier Yash Chauhan(Vaibhav Tatwawadi). The only song that plays during the  film is at a crucial juncture when Zooni,and we the audience, realize there was something between them.Too late.

The buildup towards  the  main event(the abrogation) is  stealthy and  serene. The camerawork(Siddharth Vasani) delicately  picks the shards of  the human  consciousness out of  the massive destruction in the Valley. It’s  like looking at a broken mirror  which reflects  a truth that is unbearable but unavoidable.

The performances are  uniformly  brilliant. Yami Gautam and  Priya Mani(as the  PM’s special assistant) make  two of the unlikeliest  heroes  of a political film.Yami’s  monologue  about the  tragedy  of  a lost civilization  and Priya Mani’s collection of  sarees are  almost parallel characters in the film which wastes no time on tears.

There is too much to do.

Some  gimmicky performances, like Raj Zutsi as  Kashmiri politician and  Divya Seth as a Mehbooba-like CM , could have been  avoided. These minor glitches apart, every component  in this  political drama is restrained , clenched and coiled.

And yes, Arun Govil is just right as PM Modi.

All About Article 370 and Movie

Understanding Article 370 of the Indian Constitution

Article 370 of the Indian Constitution granted special autonomy to the region of Jammu and Kashmir. This constitutional provision allowed Jammu and Kashmir to have its own constitution, flag, and autonomy over internal administration, except in areas such as finance, defense, foreign affairs, and communications. Enacted in 1949, it was intended to provide temporary special provisions for the state until a final resolution was reached regarding its status.

Revocation of Article 370

In August 2019, the Government of India made the historic decision to abrogate Article 370, thereby removing the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir. The government argued that this move would integrate the region more closely with the rest of the country and spur economic development and social progress. The decision was met with both support and opposition, sparking debates and discussions across the nation.

The Story Behind the Movie ‘Article 370’

The movie ‘Article 370’ delves into the events surrounding the revocation of the article and its impact on the region. While the plot is fictional, it draws inspiration from real incidents and the prevailing situation in Kashmir. Yami Gautam portrays the character of Zoobi Haksar, an intelligence agent on a covert mission amidst the unrest in the state. The film sheds light on the challenges faced by individuals involved in maintaining peace and order in the region.

Producer Aditya Dhar emphasized that the movie aims to chronologically depict the truth behind the revocation of Article 370, devoid of any jingoism or distortion of facts. It presents a compelling narrative of how a significant operation unfolded and its implications on the ground. The film has garnered attention for its portrayal of the complexities surrounding the issue and has been commended for its nuanced approach.

Public Reception and Anticipation

As anticipation builds for the release of ‘Article 370,’ audiences and critics alike are eager to witness the cinematic interpretation of a significant chapter in India’s history. The advance bookings for the movie have generated considerable buzz, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself acknowledging its impending release during a public address. The film’s focus on portraying events with authenticity and sensitivity has resonated with viewers, prompting discussions about the broader socio-political context.

‘Article 370’ serves as a cinematic exploration of a pivotal moment in India’s history, offering insight into the complexities surrounding the revocation of the constitutional provision. By weaving together elements of fiction and reality, the movie endeavors to shed light on the events and individuals involved in shaping the course of history. As audiences await its release, the film stands poised to ignite conversations and deepen understanding of the issues at hand.