In simple terms, 'Article 370' is about how Zooni and Rajeshwari play a big role in bringing the government’s efforts to fruit.
Yami Gautam in 'Article 370'. (X)
In the last few years, there has been a disturbing trend of movies pandering to the ruling party — whether it is Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri’s The Kashmir Files (2022) or Sudipto Sen’s Kerala Story (2023).
The latest, Aditya Suhas Jambhale’s Article 370, perfectly fits into this category.
The film is divided into six chapters and moves between the timeline of 2015 and 2019.
Article 370 primarily follows the journey of two women. One is a Kashmiri intelligence officer Zooni Haksar (Yami Gautam).
She has a firebrand personality. Zooni doesn’t believe in following orders and goes more by instinct, much like the leading men do in these kinds of films.
She manages to capture and kill Burhan Wani. But this only leads her to be transferred to Delhi.
On the other end of the spectrum lies bureaucrat Rajeshwari (Priya Mani).
Rajeshwari is the exact opposite of Zooni in terms of temperament. Rajeshwari is as cool as a cucumber. She is a representative of the government’s efforts to revoke Article 370.
In simple terms, the story focuses on how Zooni and Rajeshwari play a role in bringing the government’s efforts to fruit.
‘Article 370’ is a political drama. (X)
The first half of Article 370 is more about setting up the plot. Nothing much happens, and as viewers, you feel a certain amount of restlessness. But thankfully, the film does pick up speed around the interval point.
There are many thrilling moments in the second half where the audiences feel an adrenaline rush. A particular mention must be made of a battle sequence that takes place during a critical juncture. The action choreography here is top-notch, just like Uri: The Surgical Strike (2019).
Another USP of Article 370 is its two leading women. It is refreshing to see two female actors being the driving force of a story.
Yami Gautam delivers an intense performance. She nails the part of a hot-headed person who is also vulnerable.
Priya Mani’s performance, on the other hand, works as a perfect foil to the intensity of Yami. The actor underplays her role but still stands out.
The other supporting characters are fine, in their respective parts, with particular mention of Arun Govil as PM Narendra Modi.
The background score by Shashwat Sachdev also helps significantly make the second half more effective.
A major problem with Article 370 is its depiction of the Kashmir politicians. They come across as more cartoonish villains rather than proper political personalities.
Throughout the movie, they are shown as greedy people who do nothing apart from scheming and creating paid stone pelters.
In contrast to this, Modi & Co are shown to be the only ones concerned about the welfare of the Kashmir state and its people.
Also, the voices of an ordinary Kashmiri are barely heard, except for one old man who is only seen lamenting against the existing leadership in the valley.
GOOSEBUMPS! If we had to describe the album in one word – this would be it! 🤌🏻
Stream the music album of #Article370 now out on Saregama Music YouTube Channel and all other major music streaming platforms#PriyaMani @shashwatology @vaibbhavt @arungovil12 #KiranKarmarkar… pic.twitter.com/NQzsYrcfeJ
— Yami Gautam Dhar (@yamigautam) February 19, 2024
Article 370 works perfectly if you are a devotee of Narendra Modi. But for the rest, it is a tough pill to swallow.
(Views expressed here are personal.)
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