There is no dearth of Hindi films
about the oppressive dictators of UP-Bihar who wield powers greater than the Gods.
Treating villagers and other common folks worse than livestock and shooting at
will, these tyrants have their own laws forcing the local administration to
become their dogs. Anubhav Sinha has a subtle melancholic style as he portrays
India’s wild wild west in his perspective giving it a different flavor. In
Article 15, he brings forth the most astonishing fact about our great country
that the western world is still perplexed about. And the protagonist who seems to be a
high breed of the desi-western union takes on the system in the avatar of a
police inspector in remote UP.
This time the tyrants are not playing
in your face making your blood boil. But a more social and political scenario
plays out making the story subtle yet impactful. The interesting fact about
this film is that there are no polarities, the quintessential good, and bad guy,
but the effects of these polarities in our social milieu are dealt with by an
outsider who is completely unaware of its existence. Also, the oppressed aren’t completely
helpless and defeated, but rather are causing an uproar and a revolution making
the experience real and candid. The many characters in supporting roles control
and drive the film mimicking reality which always has many shades of grey given
the complexity of our society. Sayani Gupta, Kumud Mishra, and Manoj Pahwa fuel
the story in a subtle way. Ayushman Khurana’s performance is consistent with
the personality of the film.
The experience is not one that will
have a major impact on you as most of the films of this genre tend to. But it definitely holds you as it deals with the pressing issue of casteism and it’s
ripple effects.
Rating - 3 / 5
