By Despite its lengthy runtime of over two and a half hours, ‘Article 370’ manages to remain engaging for the most part. This drama, inspired by real events but embellished with creative liberties, underscores the necessity of abolishing Article 370, which granted special status to Jammu & Kashmir. The film asserts that the government’s decision to revoke the article was justified. In its portrayal, the filmmakers strongly emphasize that the suffering of Kashmiri residents stemmed from the collusion between corrupt local leaders and militants. The first half is tense and skillfully sets the stage for the plot. However, the intensity somewhat tapers down in the climax, which leans towards overly dramatic cinematic tactics rather than realism.
The film’s storyline follows Zooni Haksar (Yami Gautam Dhar), an intelligence field officer relocated to Delhi following a ‘botched’ encounter, despite its success, as deemed by her superior. As the government moves to abrogate Article 370, PMO Secretary Rajeshwari Swaminathan (Priyamani) shoulders much of the groundwork. She assembles her team and appoints Zooni to spearhead the NIA operation in Kashmir. The journey to preserve peace and unity in the valley navigates through the obstacles posed by corrupt local leaders and militants.
It’s heartening to witness two actresses commanding the spotlight and carrying the entire film with their performances. Yami Gautam, portraying Zooni, delivers a commendable performance with her no-nonsense demeanor, showcasing evident dedication and reaping deserving rewards. Priyamani, portraying an IAS officer, embodies the role convincingly with a controlled performance that hits the mark. Raj Zutshi, portraying a Kashmiri leader and thrice former Chief Minister of J&K, along with Raj Arun as Khawar Ali and Vaibhav Tatwawadi as Commandant Yash Chauhan, offer dynamic support to the ensemble cast.
‘Article 370’ attempts to evoke a sense of nationalism, taking creative liberties along the way. One fails to comprehend the necessity for Zooni to resort to impersonation to access amended documents from the J&K Secretariat, as accessing those documents could have been a straightforward job for her. Nonetheless, this film marks a promising debut from director Aditya Suhas Jambhale, a two-time National Award-winning director, hinting that a lot can be expected from him in the future. ‘Article 370’ proves to be a worthwhile watch, offering enough substance to keep viewers engaged and invested.
