Article 15 (Review)

Article 15 directed by Anubhav Sinha is a crime-thriller starring Ayushmann Khurrana, Isha Talwar, Sayani Gupta, Kumud Mishra, Naaser and Manoj Pahwa. Ayushmann Khurrana is popular for his clever selection of movies, and Anubhav Sinha’s previous film ‘Mulk’ was a powerful outing. So how this combination worked? Like the title says the movie is about Article 15. The Article 15 is a part under the Part III in the Constitution of India. Article 15 prohibit any kind of discrimination against any citizen on the grounds of caste, religion, sex, race and place of birth.

PLOT

It is Lal Gaon, a village in Uttar Pradesh. Police Officer Ayaan Ranjan takes up the case of two girls murdered and raped, and another one missing. He soon realizes not even his co officers are interested in the case as the victims are lower-class. The police, and the media comes to a conclusion of ‘what might have happened’ from the caste of the victim/suspect. During the investigation Ayaan and we goes through the impact of societal divisions still existing in our country. This sums up the story. This is a serious look at a nation and a community in turmoil.

REAL LIFE INSPIRATION

Anubhav Sinha takes inspiration from a lot of real life events such as Badaun gang rape case. Badaun Gang Rape Case: An alleged gang rape and murder of two teenage girls was reported in the Katra village, Uttar Pradesh on 27^th, May 2014. The girls were found hanging from a tree. According to autopsy report, the girls had been raped and died from strangulation due to being hanged while still alive. After investigation, CBI concluded that there was no gang rape and the suspects were released. But, on 28 October 2015 the POCSO court rejected the CBI closure report; it was a major setback for CBI. Not only this incident. We can related many recent incidents with the movie, thus giving a hard hitting emotion.

FINALE OUT

The movie spends enough time showing a side of the society, how the discrimination is everybody’s mind, in a way of life and as an accepted standard! Article 15 shows us how strange people are when it comes to racism. It is one of the best films we have ever seen. It is hard hitting. Unforgettable. It succeeds by being gripping, emotional, and disturbing. It is important and it is entertaining. Production design is terrific. So is the performances of the actors especially Ayushmann Khurrana. Ewan Mulligan’s brilliant cinematography and Anubhav Sinha’s first rate direction make you feel the humidity of the small town in Uttar Pradesh.

RATING: 4/5