Article 15 Film Review – Ayushmann Khurrana Goes the Messiah Route

Unless you are living under a rock, you know the caste differences and its fallout rampant across India. Article 15 continues the trend of socially relevant movies from Bollywood in recent times. We look at it in the Article 15 film review.

Any movie that purports to spread a socially relevant message starring a prominent actor achieves box-office success. On the back of two stellar performances, in Andhadhun and Badhaai Ho, Article 15 relies on Ayushmann Khurrana’s recent achievements to reach a wider audience.

An average Indian citizen, who is abreast of current affairs through newspapers and TV news channels, is aware of the unfortunate and horrific acts perpetrated in the name of caste across various parts of India. Article 15 is not showing something that we do not know of, considering it is inspired by a real incident that took place a few years ago and was covered by mainstream media.

Many have alluded to the fact that Article 15 is an “important film.” I believe this tells only part of the story, and perhaps one should ponder on how the movie might have been more gripping. For that, it would have to shed its “commercial” vibe. The audience watching this movie might have been more empathetic toward the plight of the villagers had it not had a prominent star anchoring it. If you check out the recently released Capernaum, you will understand what I mean.

Article 15 is told more or less through the eyes of an upper caste IPS officer who lands up in a rural village in Uttar Pradesh. Much to his bewilderment, he soon learns of the casteism prevalent in this part of the country. Ayushmann Khurrana, our hero, is a Messiah to the village folk. During his tenure, he tries to work with his subordinates to bring justice where none is present and heinous crimes are rampant.

It might have been refreshing had the director not focused so much on the central character and given more time to the supporting cast. The narrative is so skewed towards Khurrana’s Ayan Ranjan that it ignores even the perpetrators of the crimes. As a result, it dilutes the message that the filmmakers might have wanted to spread.

Article 15 has brilliant cinematography by Ewan Mulligan. The perfect use of light in many wide-angle shots is striking, as is the sound that enhances the somber mood. Of the cast, Manoj Pahwa and Kumud Mishra are in prime form. While the duo gets enough screen-time and makes the most of it, the others like Sayani Gupta and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub have precious little to do. Ayushmann Khurrana plays his part with relative ease and isn’t too strenuous to watch considering the time he is on screen.

The movie begins with a song by Bob Dylan, and we learn by the end what it means in the film’s context and the point that the director is trying to drive home. However, I am not sure if Article 15 will eventually change much even though it speaks about a relevant issue. It might work at the box-office, but its overall impact will be limited.

Even if we assume that the intention behind Article 15 was right, it doesn’t appear as a movie that was created to bring awareness amongst today’s youth on the casteism prevalent in India. A film such as Capernaum highlights the grim plight of refugees around the world. It uses the right tropes to put forth its message. Having non-actors and people who have been in similar conditions helps its cause. Had Article 15 taken the same route, it might have struck a chord with filmgoers who are passionate about impactful cinema.

Article 15 film review rates Article 15 (2.5 / 5)

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