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Drama thriller

Article 15 (2019): Cast, Ratings, Box Office & Plot

Article 15 (2019) movie poster

Article 15 is a 2019 drama thriller directed by Anubhav Sinha, starring Ayushmann Khurrana as Ayan Ranjan, Manoj Pahwa and Kumud Mishra. It runs 2 hours 10 minutes and earned $734,514 worldwide. Critics gave it 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10.

IMDb rating
8.1/10
Rotten Tomatoes
90%
worldwide gross
$734.5K
Echo Score
76
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Article 15 (2019) movie poster
Released
Runtime
2h 10m (130 min)
Director
Anubhav Sinha
Genres
Drama , Thriller , Crime
Original language
Hindi
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Article 15 About?

The premise of Article 15 without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.

This compelling Indian drama explores the pervasive issue of discrimination within India. Inspired by Article 15 of the Indian constitution, which prohibits discrimination based on religion, caste, gender, or place of birth, the film delves into the complexities of social inequality and the challenges faced by those fighting against it. It examines the nuances of prejudice and its impact on individuals and communities.

Article 15 Themes & Keywords

· 10 tags
  • caste prejudice
  • social issue
  • india
  • rape
  • election
  • police
  • underage girl
  • gang
  • true crime
  • based on true story
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Cast & crew

Article 15 Cast & Characters

Ayushmann Khurrana leads the cast as Ayan Ranjan, with Manoj Pahwa as Bhramadatt Singh and Kumud Mishra as Kisan Jatav. Directed by Anubhav Sinha; 10 actors are credited in all.

From the director

More from Anubhav Sinha

More films directed by Anubhav Sinha, best-rated first: RA. One, Bheed, Anek and Thappad.

Full filmography
Ratings

Article 15 Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Article 15 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, and IMDb users rate it 8.1/10. Our Echo Score gives it 76/100, strongest in art & craft (88) and weakest in story & flow (62).

76 /100

Article 15 Echo Score Breakdown

Article 15 delivers a powerful social thriller experience anchored by its bold thematic focus and robust craft elements. Critics and audiences praised the film’s cinematography and sincere storytelling, although several noted uneven pacing and underdeveloped secondary figures. The direction and visual design often underscore the narrative’s gravity, even as subplots occasionally dilute momentum. Ultimately, Article 15 leaves a memorable impression as a thought-provoking exploration of systemic injustice.

Our own 0–100 rating, built from five aspects: art, character, story, the sensory experience and how well a film rewatches.

  • Art & Craft 88

    In terms of art and craft, Article 15 excels with its striking visuals and polished production values. Reviewers consistently highlighted the film’s outstanding cinematography and well-composed framing that underscore rural landscapes. The editing is generally cohesive, with only minor transition lags in extended scenes. Overall, the film’s visual design and technical finesse reinforce the narrative’s intensity and contribute a distinctive aesthetic character.

  • Character & Emotion 78

    When it comes to character and emotion, the lead performance is frequently noted for its intensity and sincerity. Ayushmann Khurrana’s portrayal anchors the narrative with nuanced conviction, while supporting roles deliver moments of impact. However, several secondary characters receive limited development, resulting in occasional tokenism. Consequently, the emotional resonance remains strong overall, though some individual arcs could have been deepened further.

  • Story & Flow 62

    In terms of story and flow, Article 15 offers a sincere and thematically bold narrative that engages with social injustice. The plot’s grounding in real events gives it originality, yet extended subplots at times slow the pacing and reduce suspense. While the film retains engagement through its courageous messaging, the uneven tempo and minor coherence lapses temper the overall narrative momentum.

  • Sensory Experience 82

    When considering sensory experience, the film benefits from a compelling score and authentic sound design that heighten dramatic tension. The visual style features an understated color palette that accentuates the rural setting, and sound mixing immerses viewers in pivotal sequences. Together, these elements create a cohesive atmosphere that reinforces the film’s emotional weight and maintains sensory engagement throughout.

  • Rewatch Factor 70

    In terms of rewatch factor, Article 15 maintains lasting appeal through its provocative subject matter and striking moments. Many viewers appreciate revisiting key scenes for their thematic depth and visual detail. Nevertheless, the film’s deliberate pacing and occasional subplot distractions may lessen motivation for repeated viewings. On balance, its social commentary and memorable imagery support a moderate-to-high replay value.

Plot

Article 15 Plot Summary

What happens in Article 15 from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 15 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 3-minute read.

Spoilers ahead

The film unfolds in the village of Lalganj, where a lively song is interrupted by a harrowing incident: three Dalit girls are trapped in a school bus and subjected to a brutal assault by a group of men. Enter Ayan Ranjan (Ayushmann Khurrana), a recent graduate of St. Stephens College, who takes on the role of District Collector in Lalganj. Welcomed by local officers like Bhramadatt Singh (Manoj Pahwa) and Kisan Jatav (Kumud Mishra), Ayan is quickly faced with the stark reality of caste discrimination.

Full summary

The whole story of Article 15, scene by scene

Read the full summary
Box office

Article 15 Box Office

Article 15 grossed $734,514 worldwide.

2019 box office

Worldwide gross

$734.5K

International
$734.5K
Quiz

How Well Do You Know Article 15?

10 questions about the story, each with a hint if you get stuck. Pick an answer to see whether you were right.

Question 1 of 10

  1. Question 1: not answered
  2. Question 2: not answered
  3. Question 3: not answered
  4. Question 4: not answered
  5. Question 5: not answered
  6. Question 6: not answered
  7. Question 7: not answered
  8. Question 8: not answered
  9. Question 9: not answered
  10. Question 10: not answered

What key social issue is highlighted in Article 15?

Cars

Cars in Article 15

30 cars on screen, including the 2016 Mahindra Bolero and the Mahindra CJ-5.

All 30 cars
  • 2016 Mahindra Bolero in Article 15 2016 Mahindra Bolero Main role
  • Mahindra CJ-5 in Article 15 Mahindra CJ-5 Main role
  • Royal Enfield Bullet Classic in Article 15 Royal Enfield Bullet Classic Important role
  • 2004 Chevrolet Tavera in Article 15 2004 Chevrolet Tavera Minor role
Details

Article 15 Also Known As

8 alternative titles, including “Article Fifteen” and “第15条”.

Also known as
  • Article Fifteen
  • 第15条
  • 印度憲法第 15 條
  • 15. cikkely
  • Статья 15
  • Artigo 15
  • Artículo 15
  • มาตรา 15

Seen Article 15?

FAQ

Article 15 FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings, post-credit scenes and language of Article 15, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Article 15?

Article 15 runs 2 hours 10 minutes (130 minutes).

When was Article 15 released?

Article 15 was released on June 28, 2019.

Who directed Article 15?

Article 15 was directed by Anubhav Sinha.

More films by Anubhav Sinha

Who is in the cast of Article 15?

Article 15 stars Ayushmann Khurrana as Ayan Ranjan, Manoj Pahwa as Bhramadatt Singh and Kumud Mishra as Kisan Jatav, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Article 15 make at the box office?

Article 15 grossed $734,514 worldwide.

How is Article 15 rated?

Article 15 has 8.1/10 on IMDb, 90% on Rotten Tomatoes, 75% on TMDB and 3.7/5 on Letterboxd.

Does Article 15 have a post-credit scene?

No. Article 15 has no extra scene during or after the credits.

What language is Article 15 in?

The original language of Article 15 is Hindi.

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