Kashmir has always been a subject treated with kid gloves by politicians, the media, thought leaders and intellectuals. The vast majority of the common population of Kashmir has always been a little aloof from the mainstream for political reasons, with the rest of India having little connect with them except for touristy purposes. And consequently, their impression of the reality in the region has been coloured by the data and opinions out in the public domain. Article 370 is a film, which, without touching upon the incidents mentioned in the much-maligned and criticised The Kashmir Files, attempts to highlight the condition of Kashmiris and show that the abrogation of the contentious article was the only way forward for the people of the state.
Among the many recent Bollywood films related to events of national security and sovereignty, Article 370 will strike you as one that describes and comments on incidents from the perspective of an insider, who is compelled by circumstances to be an outsider. And from that standpoint, it makes a poignant attestation of reality rarely found in movies that deal with controversial political issues. The film, directed by Aditya Jambhale, has its priorities clear right from the outset. It lays bare the history leading to the creation of Article 370, and attempts to piece together data that clearly prove that it has been subject to gross misuse and manipulation for the 70 years since its inception. Its plot deals with what may be termed as a rectification of a historical mistake. It chronicles the chain of incidents that led to the decision to abolish Article 370 from the Indian constitution as a means of restoring peace, preventing abuse of human rights and offering equal opportunities to the local people in terms of education, employment, property rights and other forms of self-actualisation.
The film is divided into six broad segments which narrate step-by-step why and how the final parliamentary order that revoked Article 370 in August 2019 came into effect. The initial segments offer a fresh perspective to widely-known events like the death of youth leader Burhan Wani in 2016, and in so doing, attempts to uncover the truth that often stays hidden behind misinformation and agenda-driven narratives.
Staying true to events in recent history, the film seamlessly blends fact with fiction by aligning itself to the story of its protagonist, intelligence officer Zooni Haksar. Portrayed by Yami Gautam Dhar in perhaps her most challenging role yet, Zooni is depicted as a young Kashmiri who is bitter and disillusioned with the prevailing conditions in her home state. Scarred since childhood by tragedy, she is angry and frustrated when political leaders and senior government officers fail to take action against separatist forces or take cover under the provisions of the Article. Posted in Srinagar, she realises after Wani’s death that terrorism is a business which serves the interest of the powers that be. She also understands that the special status accorded to Jammu and Kashmir by virtue of Article 370 is a weapon cleverly wielded by corrupt political leaders, bureaucrats and businessmen to hold the country at ransom and exert control over the people and resources of the state.
After clinically exposing its many weaknesses, the story charges ahead to the actual process of annulment, which is effected constitutionally. Priya Mani delivers a splendid performance as a top bureaucrat in the prime minister’s office, who is the pivot managing all aspects of the process. She coordinates all the frantic, behind-the-scenes activities by the executive, bureaucratic and intelligence forces to ensure that the Jammu and Kashmir reorganisation bill is passed smoothly and lawfully. In action reminiscent of Parmanu: The Story of Pokhran, we are also shown how the government successfully dupes the media and Pakistani intelligence who may try to put a spanner in the works by wrongfully mobilising public and global opinion.
As much a celebration of the government as of the people of Kashmir, who are visualised rejoicing after the abolition of Article 370, the film is also a tribute to the personal sacrifices of those who helped accomplish a task of this stature. With minimal resort to political accusations or malicious anti-propaganda, what the film achieves is to present a view of a modern country eager to do away with the mistakes of the past and forge into the future on pillars of equality and strength.
Piya Roy
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