Hard hitting
Film: Article 375
Date: 13.09.2019
Director: Ajay Bahl
Writer: Manish Gupta
Cast: Akshaye Khanna, Richa Chadha, Rahul Bhat, MeeraChopra
Defense lawyer Tarun Saluja/ Akshaye Khanna, in his address tostudents’ says “Justice is abstract but law is focused”. A few scenes later, the lawyer outside the courtroom tells his junior that they are not in the in the business of justice but in the business of law. For the layman there is not much difference between the two but those engaged in law understand the implications.
We have mourned about how justice delayed is justice denied, we have protested against media trial before the actual trial and now we ask if justice is really granted to everyone at all times.Article 375 is the story of a rape where victim Anjali Dangle/ Meera Chopra, junior costume designer accuses her film director Rohan Ravi Khurana/ Rahul Bhat of rape charges.
What Anjali goes through at the police station filing an FIR is equivalent to another rape and so is her interrogation conducted by the defense lawyer in the court room!! Writer Manish Gupta and director Ajay Bahl combine force to put forward all arguments – the victim v/s the accused, the defendant v/s the prosecutor, law v/s justice, truth v/s lies, evidence v/s story, man v/s woman, judge v/s media and finally perception v/s fact.
What works about the film is the detailed research, quality writing, presentation, spunky dialogues and characters made believable by sparkling actors. All the performances are praise worthy. As the sitting judge Krutika Desai speaks with her eyes, prosecutor Richa Chadha is sincere to the core, Rahul Bhatoppressive and vulnerable at the same time and above all Akshaye Khanna in a flawless portrayal!
The end is alarming and it is because the subject is disturbing. According to Section 375 IPC – both consent and will of the woman is imperative. It is important that all of us watch this film so that we never abuse the law that was initiated to protect us.
I rate Article 375 with 3.5 stars.
Bhawana Somaaya