Reviewed by Rama Gaind.
Director: Ajay Behl, Amazon Prime.
Cast: Akshaye Khanna, Richa Chadha, Rahul Bhat, Meera Chopra.
Once in a while, Bollywood delivers a celluloid film winner and, this time, it comes with Section 375, a legal drama that’s a bold effort by director Behl. The law and its ramifications make for mesmerising viewing.
Storyline for the 2019 Hindi-language film sees a big-time Indian film director Rohan Khurana (Bhat), who is accused of raping a junior costume assistant working on his film, Anjali Dangle (Chopra). Based on the evidence, he is sentenced to jail by the Sessions Court. The case then goes to the High Court where two strong-minded lawyers battle it out in court which makes for riveting viewing, with intense media scrutiny.
Tarun Saluja (Khanna) is defence barrister of the accused and Hiral Gandhi (Chadha) is the public prosecutor.
Saluja points out: “We are not in the business of justice, we are in the business of law”. Law is a fact. Justice is abstract. Gandhi does not buy into this argument.
The case disputes the legal provisions of penal code 375. It defines conditions under which a sexual offence can be defined as rape. Unfolding is a complex and captivating courtroom production that highlights the technicalities of law and takes prominence over perceived justice.
Evidence gathering plays a crucial role that sees high-profile lawyer Saluja going against public sentiment to defend Khurana.
While presenting versions of the same story from two different perspectives, Section 375 also examines routine procedures, corruption and investigation lapses with coarse reality. It’s absorbing as layers get peeled away, with some truths and speculation coming to the fore. It’s not easy connecting the dots.
Manish Gupta’s screenplay has a credible equilibrium: it is neither moralistic nor does it give way to commercial hysteria. Instead, it adroitly scrutinises both sides of the case and refers to the rule of law.
An explosive narrative, with the sensitive issue of rape, it highlights how a criminal case can get hijacked by both the media and social media. The film sheds light on the essentials of privilege, the abuse of power and the unconditional need for consent, will and agreement when it comes to sex.
Section 375 is fascinating, well acted and well crafted with convincing, though worrying arguments.
