Is cinema India's new political battleground? Modi-backed Article 370 film stirs Kashmiri outrage
A Bollywood political drama appearing to justify India's Kashmir policy has stirred controversy, especially with Prime Minister Narendra Modi throwing unprecedented weight behind the film in a perceived bid to ramp up support from Hindu voters ahead of the general election.
Even before the release of the thriller Article 370, centred on the government's removal of Kashmir's autonomous status in 2019, Modi had endorsed the film and urged the public to catch it in theatres.
Critics warn the government is increasingly "endorsing cinema for political gain", while some from Kashmir accuse authorities of "normalising" false narratives.
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"I have heard that a film on Article 370 is going to be released this week ... It is a good thing as it will help people in getting the correct information," Modi told a crowd of supporters during a visit to Jammu in Kashmir on February 20, ahead of the show's opening on February 23.
Article 370 was produced by Aditya Dhar, who is known for his nationalistic film projects. Dhar has won several prestigious accolades such as the National Film Award for Best Director and the Filmfare Award for Best Debut Director for Uri: The Surgical Strike, a film released in 2019 about India's 2016 offensive in Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in retaliation against terrorist attacks at a military camp in Uri.
Dhar's latest silver screen offering has critics again branding him "pro-government" and "agenda-driven".
The film's title refers to an article of India's constitution that granted special autonomous status to the region of Jammu and Kashmir. The plot focuses on an intelligence agent selected by the prime minister's office, played by actress Yami Gautam, who is Dhar's wife in real life. Tasked with tackling terrorism in Kashmir, the agent finds her efforts stymied by Article 370.
The Indian government revoked Article 370 in 2019, with one of its main justifications being that it would bring an end to terrorism and violence in the region.
While Modi and right-wing supporters of his ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) have endorsed the film, critics, especially those from Kashmir, have called it "propaganda" and a "distortion" of historical facts.
Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay, an author and political analyst, told This Week in Asia that such films served to reinforce the existing support base of the BJP and are aimed at bolstering their narrative.
"It's unfortunate that the BJP leadership is endorsing cinema for political gain, something that hasn't been seen before. It demonstrates their willingness to exploit any narrative available," Mukhopadhyay said.
"Films like these whitewash the unsavoury aspects of history that Indian audiences ought to know," he added.
A researcher from Kashmir, who wanted to protect his identity, told This Week in Asia: "Their goal is to create a narrative that presents the abrogation of Article 370 as the correct decision, normalising the situation and suggesting that both Kashmiris and India are content with it, solely because it was initiated by Modi. It's all about reinforcing that narrative."
He stressed: "This narrative imposition is widespread in Kashmir. Even if Kashmiris are not actively protesting, it doesn't mean they have accepted the new reality ... but they are unable to express their feelings freely because the state resorts to force to silence them."
A political analyst in Kashmir, who also spoke on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisals, questioned the timing of the film's release, adding "the movie reinforces the notion about Kashmir being a problem of terrorism" and "projects aggressors as the victims".
Ahead of India's election, which is expected to be held between April and May, rising internet shutdowns in the country including in Kashmir have also sparked widespread concerns.
Modi's mention and overt approval of the film Article 370 was not the first time Dhar had received praise for his work from the BJP government. When Uri was released, then defence minister Nirmala Sitharaman tweeted videos from a cinema hall in Bengaluru where the film was screened, showing some in the audience waving national flags and praising the Indian army.
On Sunday, Pushkar Singh Dhami - a senior BJP member and chief minister of the northern state of Uttarakhand - watched Article 370 with several cabinet members. He later told the media the film depicts the "political wrongdoings which were done in Jammu and Kashmir in the past" and that it "is a good movie and everyone should watch it".
In the past, Indian films often alluded to political issues without directly portraying them. Even then, some films were banned or received limited releases especially if they portrayed the ruling establishment in a critical light.
But there has been a notable shift in the type of political films in recent years, according to industry players. Encouraged by those in power, real political figures and issues were more frequently depicted in films.
"Politicians have always been well aware of the power of cinema. But this kind of iron-fist control over the industry is unprecedented," documentary filmmaker Rakesh Sharma was quoted in Telegraph India as saying in 2019.
According to the studio behind Article 370, Aditya Dhar Films, the film has amassed a worldwide box office gross of 347.1 million rupees (US$4,186,000) as of February 27.
In a statement on social media, the studio acknowledged the backlash it encountered before the film's release and expressed gratitude to audiences for their overwhelming support and turnout.
Majid, a 29-year-old Kashmiri student living in Delhi, who asked to be identified only by his first name out of concern for reprisals, was among those who had watched Article 370.
"When the first scene appeared, it immediately brought back all the horrific memories of the conflict I had experienced back at home. Although the movie doesn't delve into the human suffering caused by the conflict, the tactics and strategies depicted in the film easily reminded me of the consequences and impact on local people," he told This Week in Asia.
Majid also feared the trend of "hyper-nationalism" in Bollywood might reach a point where directors were unable to depict Indian police or officials in a negative light in films.
The film's opening scenes depict escalating tensions in the Kashmir region as violent incidents mount. As the story progresses, strategies devised in the capital New Delhi, under Modi's supervision, ultimately resolve the crisis. By the film's end, the region is depicted as returning to a state of "normalcy" with no further reports of violence.
India and Pakistan fought three wars over Kashmir in 1947, 1965 and 1999. Kashmir comprises the India-run territories of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, while other areas in the region are administered by Pakistan and China.
When British India was partitioned in 1947, Kashmir's fate remained uncertain. This led to conflict between India and Pakistan, resulting in the territory being divided between them along a heavily guarded border.
Although the UN proposed a referendum for Kashmiris to choose between India and Pakistan in 1948, it never took place. The part of Kashmir under Indian control was granted some autonomy and special privileges in exchange for accepting Indian rule, as outlined in Article 370.
Over time, Kashmiri discontent with Indian governance grew as successive Indian administrations encroached upon Kashmir's autonomy. Peaceful protests against Indian rule were met with harsh crackdowns, leading to a full-scale armed rebellion in 1989. With a goal of either unification with Pakistan or complete independence, the insurgency has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian casualties.
India alleges that the insurgency in the region is fuelled by Pakistan-sponsored terrorism, a claim denied by Islamabad. However, many Kashmiris view it as a legitimate struggle for freedom.
This article originally appeared on the South China Morning Post (SCMP).
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