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Article 15

28 June 2019Hindi2h 10m
out of 10
Recommendedmost critics liked it
Monk Score · 17 scored reviews · 3 not rated

Hard-hitting on caste, carried by Khurrana despite blunt edges.

Verdict tier Recommended, most critics liked it, on a scale of Unfavorable, Mixed, Recommended, Exceptional.

  • Praised: Khurrana's performance and Sinha's direction
  • Criticised: Heavy-handed repetitive messaging

Audience

User score 8.5 out of 10 from 4 ratings, not enough ratings for a verdict yet
Read 1 audience review ↓

Not streaming in India

Critic consensus

What 19 critics are saying

Article 15 receives strong critical praise, with the majority of reviewers calling it a compelling, necessary, and hard-hitting examination of caste discrimination in India. Critics most consistently lauded Ayushmann Khurrana's performance and director Anubhav Sinha's ability to blend commercial filmmaking with urgent social commentary grounded in real events. The most common criticism is that the film's messaging can feel repetitive and heavy-handed, with some reviewers noting that the dialogue occasionally spells out its themes too explicitly and that certain plot elements lack nuance or plausibility. Overall, the consensus holds it as an uncomfortable but essential watch that sparked meaningful conversation.

How the 17 scores spread

3 not-rated reviews aren't plotted

Positive / mixed / negative reviews

Positive = 6.5/10 and up · negative = below 5/10

AI-generated summary of 19 critic reviews · may contain errors

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From the papers

Critic reviews (20)

Top critics first, then by score · not-rated last · updated

  1. Top critic

    Hindustan Times

    Film review ·

    Ayushmann Khurrana stands tall in this essential film about cops and caste. Anubhav Sinha and Ayushmann Khurrana's film has the stench of honesty. It as asks you questions you already know but don't ask yourselves enough.
  2. Top critic

    NDTV

    Film review ·

    Sinha draws many of its plot elements from newspaper headlines of recent years, the principal one related to the 2014 Badaun gangrape and killing of two girls and the 2016 Una flogging of Dalit men and employs them methodically to probe caste and gender fissures and fault lines. It remains true to the demands of the plot without losing control over its principal purpose - administering a bitter pill with just a hint of a sugar coating. It works wonderfully well. Article 15 is a not to be missed film.
  3. Top critic

    Indian Express

    Film review ·

    Article 15 may have an unsatisfactory element or two, but as a film, it rushes in to tread forgotten grounds. It is what is needed, call it what you will-- a clarion call, a bugle, a shout-out.
  4. Top critic

    Film Companion

    Film review ·

    A Grim And Gripping Film That Deserves Our Applause...Subtlety is not his strong point, but director Anubhav Sinha has a talent for staging drama
  5. Firstpost

    Film review ·

    Watching this film is an overwhelming emotional experience. Article 15 is the best that Indian cinema can be in these troubled times if it chooses to hold a mirror up to our society, compelling us to confront the worst that we are and the best that we can be when we are not busy saving our own skins.
  6. Deccan Chronicle

    Film review ·

    A topical, intelligent and compelling affair...Director Anubhav Sinha gives a meticulously composed thriller, which establishes tense atmosphere and keeps the viewer engaged throughout.
  7. Gulf News

    Film review ·

    'Article 15' sobers you up instantly, but it also makes you think about Indian's complicated social segregation based on accident of birth. It isn't an easy film to watch. But it would be a disservice if you don't give this thriller a chance.
  8. IBNLive

    Film review ·

    Director Anubhav Sinha who has to his credit entertainers like Tum Bin, Dus and Ra.One has certainly found his groove with movies that qualify as social-issue-based commercial films. He combines elements of popular film-making with realistic story-telling and the result is an outstanding film. Mulk, which released last year made everyone sit up and take note of his work more seriously. With Article 15, Sinha compels us to ask for an encore.
  9. KoiMoi

    Film review ·

    Article 15 makes a very strong statement without sugarcoating any facts. It screams what's wrong, now who can hear it, that really depends on what kind of life you're living. Another gem for Ayushmann Khurrana (after Andhadhun & Badhaai Ho) & Anubhav Sinha (after Mulk). A shocking yet necessary watch!
  10. Masala

    Film review ·

    Very few socioeconomic and political dramas and thrillers in India are able to achieve what Article 15 has—much less those based on true events—but Sinha, whose films have walked on to have a voice that is angrier, more vocal, and considering the politically unstable times we live in, all the more necessary for those reasons, packs in so much narrative grace and artistic visual filmmaking verve, it's hard to look away through the 140 minutes it powers through.
  11. Mid-Day

    Film review ·

    With crisp editing and screenplay, Ayushmann Khurrana outshines as a cop. With a thick moustache and dressed like an Englishman, the actor justifies his character in every scene. Can watch the film with your family, friends and is for all age groups
  12. Sify

    Film review ·

    This film is a brilliantly portrayed, hard-hitting eye-opener. As a society, it is time to see our reflection and do the needful.
  13. Times Of India

    Film review ·

    'Article 15' is not a light watch, but it is definitely relevant, compelling and a film that will spark conversation.
  14. Bollywood Hungama

    Film review ·

    ARTICLE 15 is a hard-hitting film that raises some important issues related to caste, that are plaguing the country. At the box office, the powerful plot and brand Ayushmann will ensure that it gets decent footfalls in the multiplexes.
  15. India Today

    Film review ·

    Article 15, starring Ayushmann Khurrana and Sayani Gupta, is an uncomfortable and unpleasant watch, and makes you aware about the horrors in society
  16. PinkVilla

    Film review ·

    After a memorable performance as a blind conman in Andhadhun, Ayushmann Khurrana is coming to the box office this weekend with Article 15. The Anubhav Sinha directorial focuses on the issue of caste discrimination which is hammered in the minds of the audience repeatedly with finesse.
  17. Mumbai Mirror

    Film review ·

    Article 15 serves as a bitter reminder of the disdainful atrocities that befalls those who are profiled. The film, however, gets a bit tiring in parts when the message seems to be incessantly hammered down. It also takes the lazy route of literally slipping what it hopes to convey, in the dialogue.
  18. Rediff

    Film review ·

    Article 15 is not the work of a hack, or of someone merely scooping a plot out of newspaper headlines. It is a well-researched, clear-headed movie; but its findings have a purpose
  19. Film Companion

    Film review ·

    A remarkable film which cuts deeper and darker into Uttar Pradesh, a State (and a state) that best reflects the nation's mass rhetoric
  20. Scroll.in

    Film review ·

    A powerful examination of crimes against Dalits...Article 15 isn't exactly nuanced about the brutal system that continues to subjugate Dalits, but neither are the times. The implausible portions balance out the moments that echo the headlines. For every scene that seems out of place, another comes along to remind us of why this movie is effectively landing its punches.

From our readers

Audience reviews (1)

4 ratings · user score 8.5

  1. 8/10

    Article 15 is a gripping film with consistent writing. Anubhav Sinha, who already proved his mettle last year with the very intimate and deep film 'Mulk' which actually discussed Islamophobia, this time captures the horrors of caste system prevalent all over India. The structure of the characters is similar: there are interesting supporting characters playing the organs of governing system, and their is a wonderfully written duo of characters fighting the problem (Ayushmann Khurrana and Zeeshan Ayyub in 'Article 15', Taapsee Pannu and Rishi Kapoor in 'Mulk') but what makes this one a- somewhat- better ride is its thrills and performances. Ayushmann Khurrana is wonderful as Ayan Ranjan, the foreign return police officer posted in a punishment transfer to a town in Uttar Pradesh and the unsettling crime. This is a film which you should watch, because with an accurate depiction of horrors of caste system, the film hits in the right place. The film raises its questions with conviction and raw poise. I am going with 4 stars out of 5 for Anubhav Sinha's ''Article 15". You'll exit the screens as more qualified persons.

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Cast & crew

Cast

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