Article 370: Film producers scramble to register related titles

New Delhi: Had enough of TV debates? Here comes Article 370—the movie that is.

Matters of legislation, usually thought to be a dry subject best left to politicians, journalists and academics, are exciting filmmakers no end.

After the success of Ayushmann Khurrana’s recent Article 15, filmmakers are rushing to producers’ associations to register titles related to the recent government decision to revoke Article 370.

In-demand titles include Article 370, Article 370 Scrapped, Article 35A, Article 370 Abolished, Article 35A Scrapped, Kashmir Mein Tiranga, Kashmir Hamara Hai and 370 Article, said movie trade and industry experts.

Atul Mohan, editor of trade magazine Complete Cinema, mentioned the development in a tweet on Tuesday.

The government’s revocation of Article 370 that grants special status to Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday also means Article 35A, under which outsiders cannot buy property or settle in the state, ceases to exist.

The Hindi film industry is no stranger to cashing in on topical political events. According to news reports, soon after the Pulwama attacks this February, producers had similarly fought to register patriotic movie titles including Pulwama: The Deadly Attack, Pulwama Pulwama: The Surgical Strike, War Room, Hindustan Hamara Hai, Pulwama Terror Attack, The Attacks of Pulwama. While none of these films have officially been announced, it isn’t hard to see that the enthusiasm comes on the back of a strong wave of nationalism sweeping Bollywood.

Nationalist tales such as Raazi (domestic box office collection of ₹122.39 crore), Kesari ( ₹151.87 crore) and Uri: The Surgical Strike ( ₹244 crore) have set the cash registers ringing, with Uri emerging as the second-highest grosser of the year so far. In the run-up to the polls earlier this year, a string of biopics on famous politicians were lined up for release. The subjects included Manmohan Singh (The Accidental Prime Minister).