Article 370 Movie Review: Yami Gautam Anchors Article 370 Film That Divides OpinionsArticle 370 Movie Review:
The recently released film Article 370 is a political drama that revolves around the abrogation of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir. Directed by Faruk Kabir, the film stars Yami Gautam Dhar in the lead role.
The plot follows a Kashmiri Pandit woman named Seema, played by Yami Gautam, whose family was displaced from Kashmir in 1990 due to rising insurgency. 30 years later, the abrogation of Article 370 gives Seema and her family a chance to reclaim their home. However, the move faces opposition and turmoil unfolds in the Valley.
Reviews of the film have been mixed. While critics have praised Yami Gautam’s performance, some have found the narrative to be politically biased and one-sided. The Hindu called it “an unabashed piece of political propaganda”. The Indian Express review felt the film serves its politics without nuance.
However, the film seems to have resonated with a section of the audience. Many viewers took to social media to call Article 370 an ‘eye opener’ and ‘must watch’ for highlighting the plight of Kashmiri Pandits. Comments praised the film for depicting a different perspective through Seema’s story.
Overall, Article 370 has managed to spark conversation and debate around this politically sensitive topic. Yami Gautam’s performance is appreciated, but the perceived biased narrative has divided opinions. For those interested in the Kashmir conflict, Article 370 offers one lens into a complex situation.
The film’s treatment of the Article 370 debate has come under scrutiny by experts and political analysts as well. While the makers claim the film is unbiased, critics point out that it portrays the Modi government’s decision in 2019 largely positively and glosses over the complexities on the ground. There is an emphasis on depicting the hardship of Kashmiri Pandits but the concerns and perspective of Kashmiri Muslims are given less attention.
Some key Kashmiri Muslim characters in the film are shown to be sympathetic to the Pandit cause by the end. But in reality, there has been significant opposition and unrest in the valley following the change in legal status. The overall narrative lacks nuance on issues like demographics, electoral politics and national security.
The film also utilizes some news footage and real figures like Amit Shah and Narendra Modi. While it claims to be inspired by true events, the fictionalized drama dominates the runtime. The apolitical character of Seema being thrust into the issue provides an outsider lens but also shapes a more black-and-white portrayal of the complex debates around Article 370.
