Article 15 Review

Article 15

'Hum aurat hai.. humari jaat sabse neeche hai' - this was mouthed by an iteration of Phoolan Devi in Abhishek Chaubey's brilliant film Sonchiraiya which is set in 1970's.. 'Power ki alag hi jaat hai' - this was said by a Dalit Activist Leader played by an amazing Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub in Article 15 which is in the 21st century. These 2 dialogues reflect on how stagnant our country has been contrary to the materialistic developments we are said to have achieved while humanly we are somewhat still living on the norms and ideals of times forgotten. There is a serious need to change the way we view our society and the way it works..

Right from the moment first scene starts.. you know that no matter how much light is shown on the screen, it can't make the feeling of dread and fear go away until and unless justice is served, and the very next frame introduces us to the probable saviour with an optimistic song playing in the background. From here on it is a tale about discovery that in reality india is not as great as portrayed everywhere. There is a huge problematic shallow system which needs urgent and immediate fixing if we really want to achieve what we portray we are.

But this issue was raised and discussed in the director's fantastic previous outing, Mulk, wherein the secularism of the society that India is, was questioned. Whereas this time around it is the SOCIETY itself, which is on trial. The horrific yet hilarious hierarchy of this age old and redundant caste system is amusing and cringy at the same time. As an outsider when we follow Ayushmann's brilliant portrayal of Ayan Ranjan, we discover that it is not the top tier of this mechanism which needs to be removed, rather it is the sense of entitlement which comes along with the top position that needs to be surgically dismantled from the mindset of an average Indian..

The debates and discussions of this movie are so poignant that they expose flaws of each and every community involved. The twist which is delivered in the second half reinforces the notion that at the end of the day no one is at any moral high ground. Everyone is a culprit in fuelling this beast called the Caste System. The discussion around Article 15 should be taught in schools and it is really sad that it is spearheaded by cinema, which doesn't reach the actual troubled or trouble makers as it is still considered a frivolous medium.

Despite being such a gritty movie, the writers succeed in bringing humour through irony and sarcasm which can be understood by a lay man as well. A director's job is done when the spotlight is thrown equally on the story as well as the characters and no one feels left out and serves their purpose, and this director has fulfilled his duty. Technically the movie is as BRILLIANT as they come. The camera work, the sound, the lighting and the editing.. everything reinforces the dread that the characters are supposed to feel.. Audience feels it with them and the director ensures that u feel uneasy until the last shot of the movie.

This is a victory for writing.. This is a triumph for moviemaking.. This is a success of storytelling. Above all it is a start to a new and much needed wave of thinking in the society. We as audience should make this movie win.