NEW DELHI: In an embarrassment for Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Gulf countries have enforced a ban on Bollywood film, ‘Article 370,’ following its endorsement by Modi.
Yami Gautam’s movie, named after the Indian Constitution’s Article 370, which granted special status to the UN-acknowledged disputed Jammu and Kashmir, explores the BJP’s stance on its abrogation in 2019.
The ban underscores the film’s controversial themes and its potential to provoke discussions about the intricate socio-political dynamics of Kashmir, despite facing restrictions in Gulf countries.
‘Article 370’ features a protagonist, portrayed by an actress married to a Kashmiri Pandit, who confronts the freedom uprising in the territory, equating it with terrorism under the slogan “Terrorism is a business in Kashmir—nothing to do with Azadi, everything to do with money,” aligning with the BJP’s narrative on the conflict.
As the film’s release approaches the Lok Sabha elections, Aditya Suhas Jambhale, a two-time National award-winning Goan Film Director, defended the film against accusations of being propaganda. Jambhale emphasized that as a filmmaker, he has opinions on subjects, and audiences are intelligent enough to form their own judgments. He challenged critics to watch the film before passing judgment in an interview with Outlook.
