Article 21 is a 2023 Indian film directed and written by Lenin Balakrishnan.[1] The film delves into the imperative of safeguarding the fundamental rights of underprivileged and marginalized segments of Indian society. The movie underscores the transformative potential of education for individuals living on the streets, while also scrutinizing the universality of human rights and the societal disparities that obstruct access to education and upward social mobility.[2][3][4]

Article 21
Directed byLenin Balakrishnan
Written byLenin Balakrishnan
Produced by
  • Joseph Dhanoop
  • Praseena
Starring
CinematographyAshkar
Distributed byChemmeen Cinemas
Release date
  • 2023 (2023)
Running time
163 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Plot

edit

Tamara and her children, migrants from Tamil Nadu, make a living by collecting and selling scraps in Kochi. They live in an abandoned bus near a railway track, lacking the means to dream or achieve much. Dalapathi, the younger child, wishes to attend school but faces obstacles. Auto driver Vishnu and teacher Victor help them navigate these obstacles, ultimately enabling Dalapathi to enroll in school. The film, 'Article 21,' highlights the importance of education for underprivileged children in India, emphasizing the transformative power of the law and compassionate individuals.

Cast

edit
  • Lena as Tamara
  • Aju Varghese as Vishnu
  • Joju George
  • Romanch Rajendran
  • Bineesh Kodiyeri
  • Leswin Ullas
  • Nandan Rajesh
  • Manohari Joy
  • Ambika Nair
  • Majeed

Release

edit

Theatrical

edit

Article 21 was released in theaters in Kerala on 28 July 2023, and successfully extended its release to theaters in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu through Galaxy Cinemas from 4 August 2023.[5]

Author and orator M. K. Sanu who recently celebrated his 96th birthday, attended a screening of the film. He commended the movie, stating that it effectively portrays the stark divide between those who have and those who do not, emphasizing the vital message of human rights—a topic frequently discussed but often lacking concrete actions to integrate the underprivileged into the broader social fabric.[2]

References

edit
  1. ^ Anand, Shilpa Nair (27 July 2023). "'Debutant director Lenin Balakrishnan all praise for actor Lena for her work in his Malayalam movie 'Article 21'". The Hindu. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b "'വെളിച്ചത്തില്‍ നിൽക്കുന്നവർ കാണുന്നുണ്ടോ, ഇരുട്ടിലെ ഈ ജീവിതങ്ങളെ': അവശതകൾ മറന്ന് സാനുമാഷ് വന്നു, ആർട്ടിക്കിൾ 21 കാണാൻ" ['Do those who stand in the light see these lives in darkness': Sanumash came to see Article 21, forgetting the disadvantages.]. Vanitha (in Malayalam). Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  3. ^ "'ആർട്ടിക്കിൾ 21" [Article 21 (movie review)]. Samayam (in Malayalam). Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  4. ^ "'ആ സിനിമക്കായി അഞ്ചുദിവസം പട്ടിണികിടന്നു, മണിക്കൂറുകള്‍ക്കുള്ളില്‍ പത്തുപതിനഞ്ച് ബീഡി വലിക്കേണ്ടി വന്നു: ലെന" [Starved for 5 days for that film, had to smoke 15 beedis in hours: Lena]. DoolNews (in Malayalam). Retrieved 27 July 2023.
  5. ^ Bharadwaj, Aswin (28 July 2023). "Article 21 Review | A Cinematic Extension of a Lame 'Right-To-Education' Government Ad". Lensmen Reviews. Retrieved 9 September 2023.
edit