PM Modi promotes 370 Hindi film during Jammu visit

Jammu : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, while addressing a rally here, mentioned an upcoming movie about Article 370, emphasizing the importance of dissemination of accurate information.

“I have heard that perhaps a film on Article 370 is going to be released this week. I think your ‘Jai Jai Kaar’ (cheers) are going to be heard all over the country,” PM Modi said, addressing a public rally at Maulana Azad Stadium in the heart of Jammu.

The Prime Minister’s remarks, made during his second visit to the Jammu region since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, coincided with the film’s imminent release late this week.

While acknowledging his lack of familiarity with the film’s specifics, the PM highlighted the potential of such productions in providing the public with accurate insights. “I do not know what the film is all about but yesterday I heard on TV that a film is coming on Article 370. Good, it will be useful for people to get correct information,” PM Modi added.

According to the directors, the film aims to illuminate the “pain and struggles” experienced in the Kashmir valley. The recently released teaser offers a preview into the portrayal of the region’s “turmoil.”

Opening with picturesque snowcapped mountains and the idyllic beauty of Kashmir, the teaser swiftly transitions to scenes of burning streets, riots, and bloodshed.

The actress, married to a Kashmiri Pandit, Aditya Dhar, makes a typical Bollywood hero entry, not just combating militancy but also challenging the high authorities exploiting the state for corruption.

She asserts, “Terrorism is a business in Kashmir—nothing to do with Azadi, everything to do with money,” and continues onto BJP’s narrative blaming the local politicians and bureaucrats for the conflict in the region.

Continuing on the BJP narrative, the director then sheds light on how leaders in Kashmir have leveraged the special status, rendering themselves immune to questioning.

Directed by Aditya Suhas Jambhale, ‘Article 370’ features Yami Gautam in the lead role alongside Priyamani. Produced by Jyoti Deshpande, Aditya Dhar, and Lokesh Dhar, the movie showcases Yami as an intelligence officer.

The movie is scheduled for release on February 23, 2024, the film adds to Yami’s versatile filmography, which includes ‘OMG 2,’ ‘Chor Nikal Ke Bhaga,’ ‘Badlapur,’ and ‘Uri: The Surgical Strike.’

Earlier, Bollywood portrayed Kashmir as an idyllic escape with its natural beauty and romantic allure, downplaying the harsh realities faced by the local population, however, the trend has recently changed.

Bollywood now has been depicting Kashmir as a battleground. This portrayal has not evolved, evident in the rush of Bollywood filmmakers to register titles celebrating the repeal of Article 370.

Movies like Shikara, Kashmir files, focused on the Kashmiri Pandit exodus, have faced criticism for vilifying Muslims, indicating a disturbing trend of biased narratives against Kashmiris in Bollywood, potentially worsening in the future. With Inputs from PTI