Based on true events, Article 370 documents the events leading up to the historic verdict by the Indian Government to abolish Article 370 from the constitution that did safeguard the interests of the folks of J&k temporarily. The story did have a tilted narrative style which is what I had signed up for, but what made the film special was the intricacies of politics coupled with some detailing that was reflected in the narrative. And that was quite impressive given that the writers did not shy away from presenting the documented facts available in the public domain, something that I verified as well. The screenplay standing at a whopping length of 160 minutes is hard-hitting and powerful despite unfolding through the gaze of the authorities that would ideally give you a sense of only one side of the story. But this did not bother me at all as the level of detailing was there with proper justifications in store. If anything, the film could have been a little shorter in length wherein a taut narrative would have elevated the drama even more. 

The drama begins with a voiceover(by Ajay Devgn) briefly giving an account of the history of the valley of Jammu and Kashmir that formed the building block of the then provision of the Article 370 in the Constitution of India. This, before the drama leap frogs to the year 2016 wherein the Indian Officials are after a separatist leader who is soon neutralized. The incident though adds to the tension in the valley, something that does give a brief account of the world before the withdrawal of Article 370. The template of the drama is such that it documents the events(some fictionalized too) in the lead up to the eventual decision by the Imdian Government to abolish Article 370. And it was so easy to get carried away by the patriotic sentiment here, but kudos to the writing for staying grounded and just presenting the facts available in the public domain. 

The proceedings are intriguing and gripping even from a narrative stand point. I did recall some of the incidents from back in the day when Kashmir was a favourite topic for the news reporters. Within that space of chaos, I remember a fleeting news about the tourists being sent back from the valley that instantly had me discussing with my friends that something is brewing. And all such incidents are seamlessly integrated in the drama. I really did like the world building that did give a sense of the politics of the land as seen through the lens of the authorities coupled with some solid characterization. The interval block featuring the Pulwama attack was an interesting plot point in text to the Article 370 although the emotional connect with one of the characters was on the lesser note given that that character had a relatively lesser screen time without a backstory. But the film wasn’t about that character so I could let that pass. If anything, the first half could have bern trimmed a bit for a little more impactful narrative. 

It is the second half of the film that begins to elevate the drama especially because the writers get into the meticulous details of the Constitution with utmost detailing that truly helps in documenting and connecting the dots as opposed to simply letting out claims like in The Kerala Story. While, the drama doesn’t touch upon the ‘other’ side of the spectrum, the narrative is focused through and through, focusing on the activities carried out by the officials in utilizing a loophole while briefly giving an account of the media, the local politicians of the valley and the simmering unrest by the terrorists. This leads to a stunning finale with ‘Aapra Mota Bhai’ taking centerstage at the Parliamentary session of the Rajya Sabha while a parallel track including saving a political figure in the valley. But the staging of the finale laced with a playful sense of humour and the arguments presented is what seals the deal for the film in a very good way. Overall, the screenplay is hard-hitting and very well written, highlighting the levels of detailing in an extremely intricate manner.