A very small number of Hindi films are there which have successfully tackled weighty social issues, and today released “Article 15,” written by Gaurav Solanki and Anubhav Sinha, is one of them. And, the way movie tackled one crucial social issue is applaudable!
Yes, Ayushmann starring “Article 15” is based on the frightful Badaun rape case in Uttar Pradesh. In that case, two girls were found hanging from the tree after assaulting them brutally. It is the story of Lalgaon in UP, where people wear their caste on their sleeves that means they prioritize their castes more than humanity. The more shocking thing about this unsettling world is here people don't even want to share water with people from lower castes. Because for them, it's their caste, which is of relevance more than a person's name.
After the incident, Ayan Ranjan (Ayushmann Khurrana), a police officer, tumbles into this world. It is portrayed that Ayan has "grown up in different countries;" therefore such matters baffle him. And he was there to solve the case of two young girls raped, murdered and hung from a tree. There is a scene where the other policemen tried to figure out the technicalities of how to bring them (girls) down from the tree, the dialogues of that scene showed the indifference of the other policemen towards these girls. Trust me; it's not easy to watch that scene.
Well, in the entire flick, Ranjan struggles to solve the case, while simultaneously trying to understand the inherent caste system in the village.
And, Ayushmann said earlier that all accusations are untrue, and that “Article 15” film is not biased towards any single caste. It is a daring and well-meaning courageous film in a world of Bollywood cinema, where chest-thumping and nauseating patriotism is celebrated every day.
There are no complaints regarding acting. Ayushmann Khurrana shines in his understated role for the most part. Apart from him, the movie has stellar supporting performances from Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub and Manoj Pahwa that carry it through.
All we can say is that Article 15 might have its fair share of flaws regarding its way of storytelling or it might be rough around the edges, but it is indeed a film to be watched. It's a good start. It might not change the opinions of the society, but it at least can begin a debate or conversation that examines the horrors that lurk in this very society, especially those that are invisible to our privileged eyes.
Must say that the film has the stench of honesty which not everyone can bear!
