Controversial Films Stir Debate Ahead of Elections: 'Section 370' and 'Bastar: The Naxal Story'

A few films that are slated to cause controversy are coming up as the elections get closer. In two weeks, Section 370 will be released in theaters. This film starring Yami Gautam is produced by the same team as Aditya Dhar, whose Uri: The Surgical Strike made a lot of money at the box office. While Aditya had yet to demonstrate his skill as helmsman and Vicky Kaushal was still a little-known star, the Rs 25 crore film, which told the story of the surgical strikes carried out by the Indian armed forces, went on to earn over Rs 350 crore in addition to making the question "How's the josh?" become viral.

It is clear that Dhar obtains his research materials from sources with unquestioned influence in New Delhi's power corridors. The same cache, which isn't in the public domain, is used in Section 370, which provides insight into the inner workings of the abrogation's meticulous secrecy. It becomes clear from speaking with him and seeing the film just how large-scale the operation involving several dozen intelligence operatives was. Still, not a single leak occurred.


There will be supporters of the cinematic account of how it was accomplished, but there will also be a strong opposition that will object to the dates. In January 2019, during an election year, Uri was released. This month, in another election year, Section 370 is implemented. It is certain that the filmmaker will be called a propagandist or right-winger.

Aditya Dhar is ready to disregard the attack as well as be ready for it. The strong audience reaction muffled the voices of "agenda-driven critics," he reasoned, who had likewise attempted to write Uri off as jingoistic.

Whatever the situation, Aditya and his spouse Yami Gautam are celebrating on two fronts: they are expecting a baby this year and are moving quickly with their production banner. Defense and intelligence professionals are often on site to advise filmmakers of genuine films. With Zooni Haksar, the NIA pillar the PM depended on to carry out the abrogation without a word, Yami's expectant mother had an action-packed and stressful mission, so physicians were also on Section 370 to safeguard her and the baby's wellbeing. Priyamani arrived from the South to portray Rajeshwari Swaminathan, the head of Zooni who makes all the decisions. Priya could have been more motivated by the screenplay than by the same fervor as the Dhars on Kashmir and the abrogation, but Yami-Priya lend Section 370 the wholesomeness of characters with a focus on feminine strength that span from Kashmir to Kanyakumari.

Yami was happy that her husband and director Aditya Suhas Jambhale did not attempt to change the primary part from a male role in order to make the production more marketable, even if Zooni's character is based on a guy.

Feminists will approve of another movie since it has a gender shift. Another movie that has already started to raise hackles at JNU is Bastar: The Naxal Story. It is said that a large portion of The Kerala Story—which stars actress Adah Sharma, director Sudipto Sen, and creative producer Vipul Shah—is based on the infamous Chattisgarh cadre IG Kalluri, who was tarnished and accused of infractions yet was a nightmare for the Naxals. The tale of ISIS recruiting on campuses had to be told by a woman for The Kerala tale, but for Bastar, Vipul and Sudipto switched the genders, naming the IPS officer Neerja Madhavan, and placing Adah in charge. It was expected that JNU and the Leftists, who are mentioned by Neerja for celebrating the slaughter of troops by Naxals, would be against the film even at a screening of the trailer before it was released into the digital world. They launched the demonstrations in less than a day. Will JNU be permitted to use this moniker by the censors?

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Feminists should be proud that both movies have strong female leads, despite criticism and political opinions to the contrary.