Article 15

Anubhav Sinha is back with this crime drama, starring Ayushmann Khurrana in the lead. June is going superb for Hindi Film Indutsry. Kabir Singh is still running houseful. Now, this has come.

Ayushmann is an IPS officer. He has been posted in a small village in UP. However, the next day itself, the police get two bodies of minor girls hanging on the tree. They were raped multiple times. The story gets its pace. And this crime drama continues with the subtext of casteism.

Anubhav Sinha has tried to cover as many incidents of Dalits and other backward class people as possible which happened in our country in last few years. The motto is just to aware people on how this things work. From whatsapp messages to arrangement of strikes and rallys, this is how we are dividing us into groups. Also, this is 2019, not just 19! Justice should prevail for everyone without considering his/her caste. And there comes the title, Article 15, which gives each Indian basic rights.

Ayushmann has given a splendid performances. He is too good for this role. Isha Talwar gives a needful support to him. Sayami Gupta shines in her effective role. Best of her was crying with Kumud Mishra in this film. Kumud Mishra is terrific. He has played this role like no one can. His slap scene is clap worthy. Manoj Pahwa again delivers wonderful performance. Mohd Zeeshan Ayyub has a special appearance. The time he comes in the story, the film picks up very high. Fantabulous performance by him.

Movie has no songs in it. Just a satire song at the starting. And a rap song at the end credits.

Dialogues are absolutely fantastic. 'Power ki alag hi jaat hoti hai!' Hard hitting one liners will blow your mind. Entire speech by Zeeshan Ayyub in the jeep is perfectly written. Audience were clapping on the last line of that dialogue by him. While my most favorite one has been spoken by Ayushmann to his officer, that 'Jab Aag Lagi Hui Ho Aur Aap Neutral Rahen, To Iska Matlab Hai Ki Aap Unn Logon Ke Side Hain Jo Aag Laga Rahe Hain!'

This is going to be a hit in Anubhav Sinha's kitty. While in first half, I was not sure whether this one is more good or that Mulk! But I got clear answer in second half. Film picks up very high. There is a greatest twist too. Public were stunned in that scene. Film is superbly written by Sinha and Gaurav Solanki.

There is scene of bodies of rape victims hanging on the tree, and a kid passes by. It gave me goosebumps. Another one is a man coming out of the gutter. One at the interval point, nd one at the last line of a long dialogue by Mohd Zeeshan. Also, it is not a serious film. This year's the most comic scene is in this one. Ayushmann discussing castes with his team.

Overall, Article 15 a is very much needful film in this time. It may not be linked with metro cities, but India is a nation of villages and small towns. Kudos to Anubhav Sinha and team for choosing this subject. Police were there in the theater for safety purpose. But there is nothing wrong in the film for any community or caste. This film will run with mouth publicity. So go and watch this entertaining crime drama. And ask yourself a question that Kaun Hain Aap! Bahujan, Harijan.. Ke Jan Gan Man me aate sirf Jan. #FarqAayega

Article 15 as formed by the Indian Constitution of India prohibits discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth. Unfortunately, this is not case on the records in the real India.

Article 15 tells the story of IPS officer, Ayan Ranjan (played by Ayushmann Khurrana), who has been posted in a small village, Laal Gaon, Uttar Pradesh. The day he takes up duty, he is welcomed with the murder case of three girls which leads to the "real" issues of the caste system which is very much prevalent in the "real" India.

Last year Anubhav Sinha proved that he is more than just making candyfloss film,Tum Bin, or forgettable Cash with Mulk. This year, he goes one step ahead with Article 15 which is based on true life event of the 2014 Badaun gang rape case where two Dalit girls were gang raped continuously for two days, murdered and hung from a tree. There are no songs in this 2 hours 10 minutes film as Anubhav Sinha takes the audience right into the the truth which is harsh but was never elaborated. There are couple of questions raised by Ayushmann Khurrana to his peers relating to the different levels of caste and to his dismay, he gets the answer that there are different levels of caste and even sub-caste below. The scene is funny yet exposes the harsh truth existing in the few parts of rural India. Two scenes stands out - a lower caste worker coming out of a pit full of waste, his face smeared with sludge and goes back again to complete manual removal of untreated human excreta. The second scene is where a factory owner proudly admits to hitting the three girls who demanded a pay-hike of just Rs 3 and the reason he gives for beating these girls "Unko Aukat Unki Dikhane ke Liye"

Article 15 details out the struggles and challenges faced by the cops mentally and physically. The crime-drama boast off some strong technical support. I should start with an outstanding editing work. The background score is haunting and yet mesmerizing. The cinematography is brilliant, portraying a real-life crime with aplomb. Screenplay is fantastic, though it becomes little sluggish towards the second half.

Coming to the performances, it is Ayushmann Khurrana who will make you believe with enduring transformation from uninformed IPS officer into a angry man who stands for the righteous act. Ayushmann Khurrana lives and breathes the character of Ayan Ranjan and is complimented by Kumd Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Sayani Gupta and the dependable Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub (who shines in a small role).

Article 15 is not easy watch but it will expose the harsh reality of what happened on that fateful night and it will definitely make you angry. Go for it ...MIND-BLOWING 4/5

Caste n communal politics by the fascists in India is responsible for the deterioration of my beloved India.

The film is beautifully-shot, superbly-acted and has a plot that is very very disturbing.

Fans of Marshland, Memories of Murder n True Detective S1 will definitely like this.

In rural North India, two underage girls r raped n hanged on a tree while a third one is missing. An honest cop investigates the heinous crime but comes face to face with the brutal realities of caste discrimination.

The investigation leads us thru the desolated fields, filthy swamps, tall weeds, thick tress and abandoned tannery n ultimately we come face to face with the ugly n harsh realities.

Schindler's List's pit scene wher the kids hide in the excreta pit, made me cry. And in this movie, the scene of the girls' bodies hanging on the tree made me very sad n disturbed.

The film is beautifully-shot, superbly-acted and has a plot that is disturbing but a reality still existing in 21st century.

Ayushman gave a restrained but terrific performance.

Director Anubhav Sinha (Mulk) shud be applauded for making Mulk n Article 15. He has dealt with relevant issues which is plaguing India which unfounately no other filmmakers in India is bothered about.

The cinematography by Ewan Mulligan enhances the viewing experience, with the rural landscapes feeling appropriately desolated as if the fields n trees r disturbed too.

There are some high overhead shots that add to the sense of vastness.

Zeeshan Ayyub gave a memorable performance, a scholar turned into a rebel.

His lines before the climax is heart wrenching.

He says in the film that men martyred at the border r outnumbered by those who die cleaning the sewers n no one mourns for them.

Very disturbing that India is the only place where manual scavenging still exists, where poor fellas clean human excreta by their bare hands.

This movie is a must for fans of Mississippi Burning n Devgan's Aakrosh which itself is an unofficial remake of Mississippi Burning.

No words. The film boldly engages all the parties involved in the social justice system. The story could have satisfied viewers even with limited domain, but instead of narrow approach of pin pointing, it chooses to broaden.

Ayushmann is reaching new heights in every other film and other actors also nailed it. And some shots are spine chilling.

Anubhav Sinha's 'Article 15' is designed like a crime thriller. And what works for the film is that it's thought provoking, hard hitting while unflinchingly bringing to light burning social issues.

The film is heavy on atmospherics, with the top notch cinematography (Ewan Mulligan) and background score adding to the mood. The feel is grim, gritty and grey often bringing a chill to the bone with palpable tension in the air. The images - some provocative and uncomfortable stand out, like the one where a man goes deep into a drain to unclog it and emerges soaked in the filth or the top shot of a group of policemen conducting a search in a swamp with their torchlights. The dialogues leave an impact. And the director brings out subtle nuances through his characters and setting which add to the essence of the narrative. The film's storyline, interspersed with powerful and poignant moments leaves you with goose-bumps. The narrative definitely keeps you on the edge, but there are times when it feels a tad overstuffed as the layers, political intricacies and a multitude of characters seep in. And at times the pace dips.

But certainly, the performances by an ace set of actors is one of the high points of the film. Ayushmann Khurana has you hooked instantly, belting out a riveting performance as the sincere, determined police officer. It's an intense, gripping act as he gets under the skin of his character. Other noteworthy scene stealers include actors Manoj Pahwa, Kumud Mishra and Mohammed Zeeshan Ayub, in a short but impactful role as Nishad.

'Article 15' is not a light watch, but it is definitely relevant, compelling and a film that will spark conversation.