Why should you watch Article 15?

Note: This is not a review. Please read it if you have or haven't watched the film.

The article 15 of our constitution states:
Article 15 prohibit the state from discriminating any citizen on ground of any religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or any of them.

And we all know that the Article 15 doesn't hold good in many states where riots, lynching are as common as tea stalls on a highway. That is why we all need a movie like this to remind us.

The movie Article 15 is directed by Anubhav Sinha whose director's chair stands on the limbs of a few flops and a few hits. But this movie will keep his chair sturdy.

Based on true events that took place in the unfateful year of 2014 in Badaun, Uttar Pradesh, the movie starts with a local folklore by the Dalits of the village led by Gaura, played impeccably by Sayani Gupta.

The narrative is set on the premise of the caste and discrimination and like the aim or Arjuna, it doesnt move an inch left or right. There is a recurrence of "caste" several times in the film that you respect the menial labour more.

Like the audience unaware of the caste politics in the village, the Additional Commisioner Ayan, played with powerful restraint by Ayushman Khurana, is acclimatising to the politics and the caste dynamics.

As the movie progresses in a linear narrative and the clueless but determined Ayan metamorphises into a bold man and stands up for himself.

His constant messages to his girlfriend about the questions put forth by his driver who eloquently quotes his mother and makes his commute seamless with anecdotes. So relatable!

After watching Ayushman in roles that focus on his sexual lifestyle, this movie was a rain on a parched ground.

The movie doesnt glamorize love, romance, relationships, duty, instead it soaks us into the politics of the crime and makes us a part of the story, like a good film should.

I particularly enjoyed Ayushman's maturity throughout the film and his assertiveness. Few scenes where he sits with his team, helps them through the case is a perfect example of his calm nature. 

On the other hand, Zeeshan Ayub is fierce and focused and the subtle references to Bhagat Singh made the fan within me hop with giddy excitement.

Article 15 doesnt over promise or under deliver. It portrays the gut wrenching crime with a sensitivity and a commendable screenplay and cinematography.

The BGM of patriotic tunes and the lack of songs makes the film fine tuned. The end RAP track stands out like a rotten tomato but is pardonable.

The supporting cast and the local dialect are the heroes of the film--Kumud Mishra, Manoj Pahwa, Zeeshan Ayub. In the movie, their inhibitions mixed with their instincts and prejudice make the film abs-oh-lutely a "must watch".