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{{Short description|1996 film directed by S. Shankar}}
{{Short description|1996 film directed by S. Shankar}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2021}}
{{Use Indian English|date=July 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2024}}
{{Infobox film
{{Infobox film
| name          = Indian
| image          = Indian 1996 poster.jpg
| image          = Indian 1996 poster.jpg
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| caption        = Theatrical release poster
| director      = [[S. Shankar]]
| director      = [[S. Shankar|Shankar]]
| screenplay    = Shankar
| story          = S. Shankar
{{Infobox
| decat = yes
| child = yes
| label1= Dialogues by
| data1 = {{ubl | [[Sujatha (writer)|Sujatha]]}}
}}
| producer      = [[A. M. Rathnam]]
| producer      = [[A. M. Rathnam]]
| writer        = [[Sujatha (writer)|Sujatha]] {{small|(Dialogues)}}
| screenplay    = S. Shankar
| story          = S. Shankar
| starring      = {{plainlist|
| starring      = {{plainlist|
* [[Kamal Haasan]]
* [[Kamal Haasan]]
* [[Nedumudi Venu]]
* [[Sukanya (actress)|Sukanya]]
* [[Manisha Koirala]]
* [[Manisha Koirala]]
* [[Urmila Matondkar]]
* [[Urmila Matondkar]]
* [[Sukanya (actress)|Sukanya]]
}}
}}
| music          = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| cinematography = [[Jeeva (director)|Jeeva]]
| cinematography = [[Jeeva (director)|Jeeva]]
| editing        = [[B. Lenin]]<br />[[V. T. Vijayan]]
| editing        = [[B. Lenin]]<br />[[V. T. Vijayan]]
| studio        = [[A. M. Rathnam|Sri Surya Movies]]
| music          = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| distributor    =  
| studio        = Sri Surya Movies
| released      = {{Film date|1996|05|09|India}}
| released      = {{Film date|1996|05|09|df=y}}
| runtime        = 185 minutes
| runtime        = 185 minutes
| country        = India
| language      = Tamil
| language      = Tamil
| country        = India
| budget        = {{INR}}15 [[crore]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Saraswathi |first=S. |date=7 November 2014 |title=Birthday Special: Kamal Haasan's 60 years of excellence |url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/birthday-special-kamal-haasans-five-decades-of-excellence/20141107.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240507160934/https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/birthday-special-kamal-haasans-five-decades-of-excellence/20141107.htm |archive-date=7 May 2024 |access-date=7 May 2024 |website=[[Rediff.com]] |language=en}}</ref>
}}
}}


'''''Indian''''' ({{audio|Ta-இந்தியன்.ogg|pronunciation}}) is a 1996 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[vigilante film|vigilante]] [[action film]] written and directed by [[S. Shankar|Shankar]] and produced by [[A. M. Rathnam]]. The film stars [[Kamal Haasan]] in a [[dual role]] opposite [[Nedumudi Venu]], [[Sukanya (actress)|Sukanya]], [[Manisha Koirala]] and [[Urmila Matondkar]]. The film's score and soundtrack are composed by [[A. R. Rahman]], while cinematography was handled by [[Jeeva (director)|Jeeva]]. The film focuses on an ex-freedom fighter turned vigilante bent on rooting out corruption, and his son, who is at the other end of the spectrum by facilitating corrupt practices leading to some unfortunate events. He is well trained in [[Varma kalai|Varma Kalai]], an ancient lethal martial art used for close-quarters combat.<ref>{{cite news|title=Varmakkalai Choreography details |newspaper=[[The Hindu]] |date=28 April 2003 |url=http://www.thehindu.com/lf/2003/04/28/stories/2003042805570200.htm}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Hindustani Movie |website=[[IMDb]]|url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0116630/fullcredits?ref_=tt_ov_st_sm}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last=Ramanujam|first=Srinivasa|date=2021-05-05|title=25 years of 'Indian': Meet 'Aasaan' Rajendran, who taught 'varmakkalai' to Kamal Haasan|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/how-kamal-haasan-learnt-varmakkalai-for-indian/article34489479.ece|access-date=2021-05-08|issn=0971-751X}}</ref>
'''''Indian''''' is a 1996 Indian [[Tamil language|Tamil]]-language [[vigilante film|vigilante]] [[action film]] directed by [[S. Shankar|Shankar]] and produced by [[A. M. Rathnam|Sri Surya Movies]], The movie stars [[Kamal Haasan]] in the titular role, alongside an [[ensemble cast]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Srinivasan |first=Latha |date=12 July 2024 |title=Indian 2 movie review: Kamal Haasan's film is visually striking, but filled with political sermons |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/indian-2-movie-review-kamal-haasan-film-visually-striking-but-filled-with-political-sermons-101720774621681.html |access-date=2024-07-19 |work=The Hindustan Times |archive-date=12 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240712150003/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/indian-2-movie-review-kamal-haasan-film-visually-striking-but-filled-with-political-sermons-101720774621681.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=19 May 2024 |title=Indian 3' to be out 6 months after 'Indian 2' release; Kamal Hasaan and Shankar reveals |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/indian-3-to-be-out-6-months-after-indian-2-release-kamal-haasan-and-shankar-reveals/articleshow/110230266.cms |access-date=2024-07-19 |work=[[Times of India]] |archive-date=19 May 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519063756/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/indian-3-to-be-out-6-months-after-indian-2-release-kamal-haasan-and-shankar-reveals/articleshow/110230266.cms |url-status=live }}</ref> Set in different timelines, it follows Senapathy, an aging freedom fighter turned vigilante, known as "Indian", who fights against corruption. The film stars [[Kamal Haasan]] in dual roles, alongside [[Manisha Koirala]], [[Urmila Matondkar]], [[Sukanya (actress)|Sukanya]], [[Manorama (Tamil actress)|Manorama]], [[Goundamani]], [[Senthil]], [[Nedumudi Venu]], [[Kasthuri Shankar|Kasthuri]], [[Nizhalgal Ravi]] and [[Ajay Rathnam]]. It is the first instalment in the [[Indian (film series)|''Indian'' film series]]. The music was composed by [[A. R. Rahman]], while cinematography and editing were handled by [[Jeeva (director)|Jeeva]] and [[B. Lenin]]-[[V. T. Vijayan]]. In the film, Senapathy, a retired [[Indian freedom fighter|freedom fighter]] rebels against [[corruption in India]], which puts him in conflict with his son Chandru, who lives by corruption.


''Indian'' was released on 9 May 1996 worldwide and opened to high critical acclaim on the way to becoming a major commercial success in the box office. It became the highest grossing Tamil film of all time and also the first film from Tamil and South India to gross 50 crore at worldwide box office.  
''Indian'' was released on 9 May 1996 worldwide and became the highest-grossing Tamil film upon release.{{sfn |Dhananjayan |2014 |p=352}} It also helped popularise [[varma kalai]], the martial art practised by the title character.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chandrasekar |first=Preethi |date=2003-04-27 |title=Martial art with a healing touch |url=https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/martial-art-with-a-healing-touch/article28639624.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200617222535/https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-life/martial-art-with-a-healing-touch/article28639624.ece |archive-date=17 June 2020 |access-date=2026-01-14 |work=[[The Hindu]] |language=en}}</ref> The filmwas selected by [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film|India as its entry]] for the [[Academy Award for Best International Feature Film|Best Foreign Language Film]] for the [[Academy Awards]] in 1996, but was [[List of Academy Award winners and nominees for Best International Feature Film|not nominated]]. It won three [[National Film Awards]], including [[National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor]] (Haasan), two [[Filmfare Awards South|South Filmfare Awards]] and two [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]]. It was partially reshot in [[Hindi]] as ''Hindustani'' with Manorama being replaced by [[Aruna Irani]] and released on 23 August 1996. A sequel titled ''[[Indian 2]]'' was released in 2024 but the sequel became a commercial failure.


The film was selected by [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|India as its entry]] for the [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film]] for the [[Academy Awards]] in 1996, but was [[List of Academy Award winners and nominees for Best Foreign Language Film|not nominated]].<ref>Margaret Herrick Library, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences</ref><ref name="69thSubmissions">{{cite web|title=39 Countries Hoping for Oscar Nominations |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]] |date=13 November 1996 |url=http://www.oscars.org/pressreleases/96.11.13.html |access-date=5 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990209110950/http://www.oscars.org/pressreleases/96.11.13.html |archive-date=9 February 1999 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> The film also went on to win three [[National Film Awards]] including that of Best Actor for Kamal Haasan's portrayal, while his performance also saw him win at the [[Filmfare Award for Best Actor&nbsp;– Tamil|Filmfare Awards]] and the Tamil Nadu film fare award.  It was the highest-grossing Tamil film upon its release, beating the collections of ''[[Baashha]]'' until surpassed by ''[[Padayappa]]'' three years later.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e07vBwAAQBAJ|title=PRIDE OF TAMIL CINEMA: 1931 TO 2013: Tamil Films that have earned National and International Recognition |date=2014-11-03 |publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers |isbn=978-93-84301-05-7 |location=Chennai |pages=352 |language=en}}</ref>
== Plot ==
A series of killings takes place at [[Avadi]] in the same pattern within a few months; stabbing by a knife and the victim becoming paralysed before dying. The [[Tamil Nadu Police|Chennai Police Department]] in liaison with the [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] form a joint team led by Krishnaswamy to nab the killer. They scrutinise the evidences and narrow down the killer by his age, which should be more than 70 based on the writing style of a letter left behind by the killer while killing an officer in the [[Government of India|government]] treasury. The old man is later revealed to be Senapathy, a retired [[List of Indian independence activists|Indian freedom fighter]] and a member of [[Indian National Army]] led by [[Subhas Chandra Bose]], for threatening a poor old woman to bribe him to hand over compensation amount of {{INRConvert|10000||year=1996}} given by the government as her husband was killed in a riot.


==Plot==
Chandrabose "Chandru", a small-time broker stationed outside the [[Regional Transport Office]] at Chennai, and his assistant Subbaiah aid people in bribing the right officials inside the RTO in getting permits and licenses. At the same time Chandru's girlfriend Aishwarya, an [[Animal welfare and rights in India|animal rights]] activist, also comes into conflict with Sapna, the daughter of [[Secretary of Transportation]]. Chandru attempts to win over Sapna and her family to secure a job as a [[Vehicle inspection|brake inspector]] at the same RTO. Aishwarya is irked by the fact that Sapna and her mother are exploiting Chandru's situation, getting him to do household chores. Sapna falls in love with Chandru, but she realises Chandru and Aishwarya's love and keeps her feelings as a secret.
A series of murders take place in [[Avadi]], [[Chennai]], in the same pattern; stabbing by a knife. Each time the victim is paralysed before being killed. The [[Tamil Nadu Police|Chennai Police Department]], led by [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] officer Krishnaswamy suspects several people, and they narrow down the killer by his age, which should be more than 70 years based on the writing style of a letter left behind by the killer while murdering his most recent victim, an officer in the [[government]] treasury. The officer is killed by an old man who is later known to be Senapathy, a veteran [[Indian freedom fighter]] who was a member of the [[Indian National Army]] led by [[Subhas Chandra Bose]], for threatening a poor old woman to bribe him to hand over compensation amount of {{INRConvert|10000|}} given by the government as her husband was killed in a riot.


Chandrabose alias Chandru is a small-time [[broker]] stationed outside the [[Regional Transport Office|RTO]] at Chennai, who, along with his assistant Subbaiah, aid people in bribing the right officials inside the RTO for getting permits and licenses. Subbaiah and Paneerselvam, an RTO official, are engaged in regular conflicts with one another. At the same time, Aishwarya, Chandru's love interest and an avid animal rights activist, also comes into conflict with Sapna, a medical student and the daughter of an RTO official. Chandru attempts to win over Sapna and her family to secure a job as a [[Vehicle inspection|brake inspector]] at the RTO. Aishwarya is irked by the fact that Sapna, as well as her mother, are exploiting Chandru's situation, getting him to do household chores, but eventually, Sapna realises that Chandru loves Aishwarya and gives up her love. It is revealed that Chandru is actually Senapathy's son. They both had fallen out due to Senapathy's excessive insistence on honesty and righteousness, which Chandru considers to be irrelevant in the present times.  
Krishnaswamy manages to trace his way to Senapathy's house, posing as a freedom fighter eligible for [[Freedom Fighters and Rehabilitation Division|Swathantra Sainik Samman Pension Scheme]]. When Krishnaswamy tries to arrest him, Senapathy and his wife Amirthavalli, escape with his expertise in [[Varma kalai]]. Later, Senapathy and Amirthavalli reaches a hospital. At that time, Amirthavalli meets Chandru at an elevator. It is revealed that Chandru is Senapathy's son. They had fallen out due to Senapathy's excessive insistence on honesty and righteousness, which Chandru considers irrelevant in present day. Senapathy kidnaps and murders a corrupt doctor on live television as the doctor refused to treat Senapathy's daughter Kasturi, who was suffering from [[third-degree burns]] unless given a bribe, but Senapathy refused, leading to her death. The public support surges for Senapathy as he exposes many corrupt individuals. Meanwhile, Chandru, who became a brake inspector, takes a bribe and gives a safety certificate to a school bus with faulty brakes, which crashes and kills 40 school children.


Meanwhile, Krishnaswamy manages to trace his way to Senapathy's house posing as a freedom fighter eligible for [[Freedom Fighters and Rehabilitation Division|Swathantra Sainik Samman Pension Scheme]]. When he tries to arrest Senapathy, Senapathy and his wife Amirthavalli, a puppeteer, escape with his expertise in [[Varma Kalai]]. Senapathy then goes on to commit a murder in front of a live television audience by killing a corrupt doctor, who refused to treat Senapathy's daughter Kasturi, who was suffering from [[third-degree burns]], because he insisted on a bribe which Senapathy refused, thus leading to her death. The public support surges for Senapathy as he exposes so many corrupt individuals. Senapathy does not do any favours for his son either.  
Chandru tries to inject alcohol into the driver's corpse to frame him for [[drunk driving]], having bribed a doctor and police officer. Senapathy catches and tries to kill him, but is caught by Krishnaswamy, yet escapes from custody. Despite pleas from Amirthavalli and Aishwarya to spare Chandru's life, Senapathy heads for [[Chennai International Airport|the airport]], where Chandru is attempting to flee to [[Mumbai]]. A chase ensues, Senapathy mournfully kills Chandru and apparently dies in an explosion involving an aeroplane and a jeep. While investigating recorded footage, Krishnaswamy discovers that Senapathy escaped moments before the jeep exploded. Senapathy calls Krishnaswamy from [[Hong Kong]] to confirm his survival and asks to reveal this to the public. He adds that he will return, should the need for his presence arise.


Chandru, who managed to bribe his way to a brake inspector job, takes a bribe and gives a safety certificate to a bus with faulty brakes, which eventually kills 40 school children, including the driver. Chandru tries to place the blame on the bus driver for drunk-drive and manages to bribe a police officer and a doctor on the same. However, Senapathy catches him in the act, and is bent on giving Chandru the same punishment that he gives others i.e. death. Despite pleas from Amirthavalli and Aishwarya to spare Chandru's life, Senapathy heads for the [[Chennai International Airport|airport]] where Chandru is attempting to flee to [[Mumbai]]. A chase then culminates at the airport, where Senapathy tearfully kills his son and apparently dies in an explosion involving an aeroplane. However, Krishnaswamy, on investigating the recorded footage, discovers that Senapathy escaped moments before the jeep exploded.
== Cast ==
 
The [[epilogue]] shows Senapathy calling Krishnaswamy from [[Hong Kong]], indicating that [[Indian 2|he will be back whenever the need for his presence should arise]].
 
==Cast==
{{Cast listing|
{{Cast listing|
* [[Kamal Haasan]] in [[dual role]] as:
* [[Kamal Haasan]] in a dual role as:
** Senapathy / Indian, a [[freedom fighter]] turned [[vigilante]]
** Veerasekharan Senapathy (Indian)
** Chandrabose Senapathy (Chandru), Senapathy's son, a vehicle inspector
**Chandrabose (Chandru)
* [[Nedumudi Venu]] as Inspector Krishnasamy (voice-over by [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]])
* [[Sukanya (actress)|Sukanya]] as Amrithavalli
* [[Sukanya (actress)|Sukanya]] as Amrithavalli, Senapathy's wife
* [[Manisha Koirala]] as Aishwarya ([[Voice-over|voice dubbed]] by [[Rohini (actress)|Rohini]])
* [[Manisha Koirala]] as Aishwarya (voice-over by [[Rohini (actress)|Rohini]])
* [[Urmila Matondkar]] as Sapna (voice dubbed by [[Bhanupriya]])
* [[Urmila Matondkar]] as Sapna (voice-over by [[Bhanupriya]])
* [[Kasthuri Shankar|Kasthuri]] as Kasthuri
* [[Kasthuri (actress)|Kasthuri]] as Kasturi Senapathy, Senapathy's daughter & Chandru's sister
* [[Manorama (Tamil actress)|Manorama]] as Kuppamma
** [[Aruna Irani]] as Gulabo (Hindi version only)
* [[Goundamani]] as Subbaiah
* [[Goundamani]] as Subbaiah
* [[Senthil]] as Panneerselvam
* [[Senthil]] as Panneerselvam
* [[Nedumudi Venu]] as Krishnaswamy [[Indian Police Service|IPS]] (voice dubbed by [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]])
* [[Nizhalgal Ravi]] as a corrupt doctor
* [[Nizhalgal Ravi]] as a corrupt doctor
* [[Crazy Mohan]] as Parthasarathy
* [[Ajay Rathnam]] as a freedom fighter
* [[Omakuchi Narasimhan]] as Lorry driver
* [[Ponnambalam (actor)|Ponnambalam]] as "Kada" Kumar
* [[Ajay Rathnam]] as Freedom Fighter
* [[Manorama (Tamil actress)|Manorama]] as Kuppamma
* [[Bala Singh]] as Treasury department officer
* [[Bala Singh]] as Treasury department officer
* [[Ponnambalam (actor)|Ponnambalam]] as "Kada" Kumar
<!-- [[Praveen Kumar Sobti]] -->
* [[Mahanadi Shankar]]
* [[Chokkalinga Bhagavathar]]
* [[Chokkalinga Bhagavathar]]
* [[Omakuchi Narasimhan]] as a lorry driver
* [[Crazy Mohan]] as Parthasarathy
* [[Vikram Dharma]]
* [[Vikram Dharma]]
* [[Kovai Senthil]]
* [[Kovai Senthil]] as a customer
* [[Aruna Irani]] as Gulabo Ram. Khilawan (Hindi version only)
* [[Mahanadi Shankar]]
* [[S. Shankar]] in a special appearance
* [[S. V. Venkatraman]] in a special appearance
}}
}}


==Production==
== Production ==
[[File: Sydney Harbour Bridge from Circular Quay.jpg|thumb|right|Sydney Harbour Bridge is seen in the song "Telephone Manipol"]]
=== Development ===
Soon after the release of ''[[Gentleman (1993 film)|Gentleman]]'' (1993), [[S. Shankar|Shankar]] narrated a script titled ''Periya Manushan'' to actor [[Rajinikanth]], but the pair did not end up collaborating.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/rajinikanth-was-shankar-s-first-choice-for-indian-but-superstar-turned-it-down-1433630-2019-01-18|title = Rajinikanth was Shankar's first choice for Indian but Superstar turned it down}}</ref> He then considered making the film in Telugu with [[Rajasekhar (actor)|Rajasekhar]] in a leading role, alongside either [[Akkineni Nagarjuna|Nagarjuna]] or [[Daggubati Venkatesh|Venkatesh]], but the plans did not materialise. In June 1995, producer [[A. M. Rathnam]] signed on Shankar to make the venture featuring leading actor [[Kamal Haasan]] in the lead role. The film, retitled as ''Indian'', was initially reported to be loosely based on the life of prominent [[Indian freedom fighter]], [[Subhas Chandra Bose]].<ref name="news">{{cite web|url=https://groups.google.com/group/soc.culture.tamil/browse_thread/thread/d443e6a441835848/661f147d5a971af3?lnk=gst&q=#661f147d5a971af3 |title=Google Groups |access-date=2015-06-10}}</ref>
Soon after the release of ''[[Gentleman (1993 film)|Gentleman]]'' (1993), [[S. Shankar|Shankar]] narrated a script titled ''Periya Manushan'' to actor [[Rajinikanth]], but the pair did not end up collaborating. Since the subject revolved around a father and son, he considered [[Rajasekhar (actor)|Rajasekhar]] for the father role, with either [[Nagarjuna (actor)|Nagarjuna]] or [[Venkatesh (actor)|Venkatesh]] as the son, but the plans did not materialise. The film eventually materialised under the title ''Indian'', produced by [[A. M. Rathnam]], with [[Kamal Haasan]] playing both roles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 January 2019 |title=Rajinikanth was Shankar's first choice for Indian but Superstar turned it down |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/rajinikanth-was-shankar-s-first-choice-for-indian-but-superstar-turned-it-down-1433630-2019-01-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210172408/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/rajinikanth-was-shankar-s-first-choice-for-indian-but-superstar-turned-it-down-1433630-2019-01-18 |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=15 June 2021 |website=[[India Today]]}}</ref> Haasan was initially reluctant to do the film because of its similarities to his 1977 film ''[[Naam Pirandha Mann]]'', but relented after Rathnam paid him the entire salary before he began acting.<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 October 2021 |title=அதுக்கு மயங்காதவர் உண்டா!..'இந்தியன்'படத்தில் கமல் நடித்தது இப்படித்தான்!.. |url=https://cinereporters.com/kamal-accepted-indian-movie/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714051701/https://cinereporters.com/kamal-accepted-indian-movie/ |archive-date=14 July 2024 |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=Cinereporters.com |language=ta}}</ref> On 17 February 1995, the official [[Muhurat shot|muhurat]] pooja for this film took place, with Rajinikanth attending the event as its chief guest.<ref>{{Cite news |date=10 May 2023 |title=An UNSEEN video from the sets of 'Indian' goes viral as the Kamal Haasan starrer completes 27 years |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/an-unseen-video-from-the-sets-of-indian-goes-viral-as-the-kamal-haasan-starrer-completes-27-years/articleshow/100121258.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610050113/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/an-unseen-video-from-the-sets-of-indian-goes-viral-as-the-kamal-haasan-starrer-completes-27-years/articleshow/100121258.cms |archive-date=10 June 2023 |access-date=12 July 2024 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>


Shankar tried to cast [[Aishwarya Rai]] to make her debut and portray the leading female role. Still, her commitment to her advertisement agency until October 1995 meant that she was unavailable to sign the film.<ref name="news"/> Subsequently, [[Manisha Koirala]], who appeared in the critically acclaimed 1995 [[Mani Ratnam]] film ''[[Bombay (film)|Bombay]]'' was selected as the lead heroine. The producers signed on [[Raadhika Sarathkumar|Raadhika]] to play the pair of the older Kamal Haasan in the film, but her television commitments meant that she was unable to sign a contract. [[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]]'s sister subsequently replaced her, only for Shankar to throw her out for missing a day's schedule to attend her wedding. The role was finally handed to [[Sukanya (actress)|Sukanya]], who had previously appeared alongside Kamal Haasan in ''[[Mahanadhi (film)|Mahanadhi]]''.<ref name="news"/> Bollywood actress [[Urmila Matondkar]] was signed to play a role in the film after the producers were impressed with her performance and the success of her 1995 Hindi film, ''[[Rangeela (1995 film)|Rangeela]]''. [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] was chosen to portray an important character in the film; however, as he was busy with other films, he could not accept the offer instead, he provided a voice for Nedumudi Venu. Then Shankar hired Malayalam famous character artist [[Nedumudi Venu]] to play the role. The producers engaged [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] make-up artistes [[Michael Westmore]] and Michael Jones to work on the designs for the senior Kamal Haasan's and Sukanya's look in the film.<ref name="newstwo">{{cite web| url = https://groups.google.com/group/soc.culture.tamil/browse_thread/thread/f7c3c10ba5dd3087/5d1d1219418d2c3f?lnk=gst&q=#5d1d1219418d2c3f |title=Tamil Movie News-Pudhu Edition(Cont.) - soc.culture.tamil &#124; Google Groups |date=29 March 1996 |access-date=16 January 2022}}</ref>
=== Casting and filming ===
[[File:Sydney Harbour Bridge from Circular Quay.jpg|thumb|right|Sydney Harbour Bridge, which appears in the song "Telephone Manipol".]]
Shankar tried to cast [[Aishwarya Rai Bachchan|Aishwarya Rai]] to make her debut and portray the leading female role. Her commitment to her advertisement agency until October 1995 meant that she was unavailable to sign the film.<ref name="news">{{Cite web |last=Sitaraman |first=Sandya |date=3 February 1996 |title=Tamil Movie News--Pudhu Edition(Cont.) |url=https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/1EPmpEGDWEg#661f147d5a971af3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410111957/https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/1EPmpEGDWEg#661f147d5a971af3 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |access-date=10 April 2023 |website=[[Google Groups]]}}</ref> Subsequently, [[Manisha Koirala]] was selected after Shankar was impressed with her performance in [[Bombay (1995 film)|''Bombay'']] (1995). The producers wanted [[Radhika Sarathkumar|Radhika]] to play the pair of the older Kamal Haasan in the film, but her television commitments meant that she was unable to sign a contract. [[Urvashi (actress)|Urvashi]] subsequently replaced her, only for Shankar to throw her out for missing a day's schedule to attend her sister's wedding. The role was finally handed to [[Sukanya (actress)|Sukanya]], who had previously appeared alongside Kamal Haasan in ''[[Mahanadhi (1994 film)|Mahanadhi]] (1994)''. Bollywood actress [[Urmila Matondkar]] was signed to play another leading role after the producers were impressed with her performance and the success of her 1995 Hindi film, ''[[Rangeela (1995 film)|Rangeela]]''.<ref name="news" /> Malayalam character actor [[Nedumudi Venu]] signed on to play the role of CBI officer Krishnaswamy at Haasan's recommendation,<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwInSlisbfI |title=സംവിധായകൻ ശങ്കർ നെടുമുടിയുടെ അഭിനയം കണ്ട് അന്ന് ചോദിച്ചത് {{!}} Kamal Hasan {{!}} Nedumudi Venu {{!}} Kairali TV |date=23 October 2021 |language=ml |publisher=[[Kairali TV]] |access-date=12 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312043250/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwInSlisbfI |archive-date=12 March 2024 |url-status=live |via=[[YouTube]]}}</ref> while [[Nassar (actor)|Nassar]] dubbed his voice.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Balaji |date=7 September 2018 |title={{!}}கமலைத் துரத்தக் காத்திருக்கும் நெடுமுடி வேணு |url=https://minnambalam.com/public/%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20241103131122/https://minnambalam.com/public/%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0/ |archive-date=3 November 2024 |access-date=3 November 2024 |website=Minnambalam |language=Ta}}</ref> The producers engaged [[Cinema of the United States|Hollywood]] make-up artists [[Michael Westmore]] and Michael Jones to work on the designs for the senior Kamal Haasan's and Sukanya's look in the film.<ref name="newstwo">{{Cite web |last=Sitaraman |first=Sandya |date=29 March 1996 |title=Tamil Movie News--Pudhu Edition(Cont.) |url=https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/98PBC6XdMIc#5d1d1219418d2c3f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201095954/https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/98PBC6XdMIc#5d1d1219418d2c3f |archive-date=1 December 2021 |access-date=10 April 2023 |website=[[Google Groups]]}}</ref> The senior Kamal Haasan's look for the character Senapathy was based on Haasan's father.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 June 2024 |title=Kamal Haasan's Senapathy look from 'Indian' was based on his father: Shankar |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kamal-haasans-senapathy-look-from-indian-was-based-on-his-father-shankar-exclusive-2559042-2024-06-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627130201/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kamal-haasans-senapathy-look-from-indian-was-based-on-his-father-shankar-exclusive-2559042-2024-06-27 |archive-date=27 June 2024 |access-date=28 June 2024 |website=[[India Today]]}}</ref> Shankar initially wanted [[P. C. Sreeram]] to handle cinematography; however due to his other commitments, Jeeva was chosen as cinematographer.<ref>{{Cite magazine |date=30 July 2006 |title=எனக்கு யாரும் சிஷ்யர்கள் இல்லை! |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2006-07-30/page/56/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240330150442/https://archive.org/details/kalki2006-07-30/page/56/mode/2up |archive-date=30 March 2024 |access-date=30 March 2024 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |pages=56–57 |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> One of the assistant directors chanced upon a book by [[varma kalai]] practitioner R. Rajendran about the martial art, and Rajendran was hired to teach Haasan the same.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |date=5 May 2021 |title=25 years of 'Indian': Meet 'Aasaan' Rajendran, who taught 'varmakkalai' to Kamal Haasan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/how-kamal-haasan-learnt-varmakkalai-for-indian/article34489479.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508070327/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/how-kamal-haasan-learnt-varmakkalai-for-indian/article34489479.ece |archive-date=8 May 2021 |access-date=8 May 2021 |work=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>


For production work, Shankar visited [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] to learn about new technology and purchased cameras for the production. Furthermore, the director visited Australia alongside cinematographer [[Jeeva (director)|Jeeva]] and music director [[A. R. Rahman]] to location hunt and to compose tunes.<ref name="news"/> The film's unit were given strict orders to maintain privacy, with Hindi actor [[Jackie Shroff]] being notably turned away from visiting the shooting spot. A song for the film was shot at [[Prasad Studios]] featuring Kamal Haasan and Urmila Matondkar alongside 70 Bombay models.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://groups.google.com/group/soc.culture.tamil/browse_thread/thread/aa12e2da5d167389/24db2c43c9bde581?lnk=gst&q=#24db2c43c9bde581 |title=Tamil Movie News-Pudhu Edition&nbsp;— soc.culture.tamil &#124; Google Groups |date=3 February 1996 |access-date=16 January 2022}}</ref> This led to a protest from the Cine Dancers Union who argued that Tamil dancers should have been utilised instead, with Shankar opting to pay them off to avoid further hassle. Another duet between Kamal Haasan and Manisha Koirala was shot near the [[Sydney Opera House]] in [[Sydney]] and [[Canberra]] for fifteen days.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/apr/04sank.htm |title=Rediff On The Net, Movies:An interview with Shankar |work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=1997-04-04 |access-date=2015-06-10}}</ref> A flashback song was canned with four hundred dancers and a thousand extras at [[Gingee]] with Kamal Haasan and Sukanya, while another song featured shooting in [[Jodhpur]], [[Rajasthan]].<ref name="news"/><ref name="newstwo"/> Graphic designer Venky noted that ''Indian'' was his most difficult project to date (in 1997) with a scene constructed to feature Kamal Haasan's character alongside freedom fighter, [[Subhas Chandra Bose]]. Venky had to remove blemishes on the film reel of Bose provided by the Film Division's archive before merging Kamal Haasan on to the shot to make it appear that the pair were marching in tandem.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/nov/04ven.htm |title=Rediff On The Net, Movies: An interview with special effects whiz Venky |work=[[Rediff.com]]|date=1997-11-04 |access-date=2015-06-10}}</ref>
For production work, Shankar visited [[Las Vegas Valley|Las Vegas]] to learn about new technology and purchased cameras for production. Furthermore, the director visited Australia alongside cinematographer [[Jeeva (director)|Jeeva]] and music director [[A. R. Rahman]] to location hunt and to compose tunes.<ref name="news" /> The film's unit was given strict orders to maintain privacy, with Hindi actor [[Jackie Shroff]] being notably turned away from visiting the shooting spot. A song for the film was shot at [[Prasad Studios]] featuring Haasan and Matondkar alongside 70 Bombay models.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sitaraman |first=Sandya |date=3 February 1996 |title=Tamil Movie News--Pudhu Edition |url=https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/qhLi2l0Wc4k#24db2c43c9bde581 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410112024/https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/qhLi2l0Wc4k#24db2c43c9bde581 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |access-date=10 April 2023 |website=[[Google Groups]]}}</ref> This led to a protest from the Cine Dancers Union who argued that Tamil dancers should have been utilised instead, with Shankar opting to pay them off to avoid further hassle. Another duet between Haasan and Koirala was shot near the [[Sydney Opera House]] in [[Sydney]] and [[Canberra]] for fifteen days.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=4 April 1997 |title='The story line is important, the rest are like cosmetics' |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/apr/04sank.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233722/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/apr/04sank.htm |archive-date=30 December 2013 |access-date=10 June 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref> A flashback song was canned with four hundred dancers and a thousand extras at [[Gingee]] with Kamal Haasan and Sukanya, while another song featured shooting in [[Jodhpur]], [[Rajasthan]].<ref name="news" /><ref name="newstwo" /> A fight scene was shot at Irungkaattukottai Motor Racing Track.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Raman |first=Mohan |author-link=Mohan Raman |date=25 August 2020 |title=#MadrasThroughTheMovies: Films that captured the 'sport'y Madras |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/madrasthroughthemovies-films-that-captured-the-sporty-madras/articleshow/77729580.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306041759/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/madrasthroughthemovies-films-that-captured-the-sporty-madras/articleshow/77729580.cms |archive-date=6 March 2024 |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> The flashback sequences, set during pre-Independent India, were in black-and-white.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sundaram |first=Nandhu |date=2 October 2017 |title=Kamal Haasan's Indian set benchmark for special effects, art direction — How will the sequel fare? |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kamal-haasans-indian-set-benchmark-for-special-effects-art-direction-how-will-the-sequel-fare-4101769.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103022108/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kamal-haasans-indian-set-benchmark-for-special-effects-art-direction-how-will-the-sequel-fare-4101769.html |archive-date=3 November 2023 |access-date=11 September 2023 |website=[[Firstpost]] |language=en}}</ref> Graphic designer [[S. T. Venki|Venky]] noted that ''Indian'' was his most difficult project to date (in 1997) with a scene constructed to feature Kamal Haasan's character alongside [[Subhas Chandra Bose]]. Venky had to remove blemishes on the film reel of Bose provided by the Film Division's archive before merging Haasan on to the shot to make it appear that the pair were marching in tandem.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=4 November 1997 |title=The Grand Illusion |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/nov/04ven.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217175704/http://m.rediff.com/movies/nov/04ven.htm |archive-date=17 December 2014 |access-date=10 June 2015 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref>


It was the [[List of most expensive Indian films|most expensive Indian film]] at the time. According to an estimate by film critic [[G. Dhananjayan]], the production budget was ₹8 crore (worth ₹96 crore in 2021 prices).<ref name="Dhananjayan"/> [[Rediff.com]] however estimated budget to be ₹15 crore.<ref name="budget">{{cite web |last=Saraswathi |first=S |date=7 November 2014 |title=Birthday Special: Kamal Haasan's 60 years of excellence |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/birthday-special-kamal-haasans-five-decades-of-excellence/20141107.htm |access-date=6 May 2017 |work=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref><ref name="currency">{{cite web |title=Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/PA.NUS.FCRF?end=1996&locations=IN&start=1995 |website=[[World Bank]] |year=1996 |access-date=14 January 2022}}</ref> The music video for "Akadanu Naanga" directed by Padam Kumar and choreographed by [[Vaibhavi Merchant]], cost ₹1.5 crore<ref>{{cite news |last=Chopra |first=Anupama |author-link=Anupama Chopra |title=Film scripts demand extravagant song sequences to make box office jingle |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19970315-film-scripts-demand-extravagant-song-sequences-to-make-box-office-jingle-831176-1997-03-15 |access-date=25 April 2013 |work=[[India Today]] |date=15 March 1997}}</ref>
''Indian'' was the [[List of most expensive Indian films|most expensive Indian film]] at the time. According to an estimate by critic [[G. Dhananjayan]], the production budget was ₹8 crores (worth ₹96 crores in 2021 prices).{{sfn |Dhananjayan |2014 |page=353}} [[Rediff.com]] however estimated budget to be ₹15 crore.<ref name="budget">{{Cite web |last=Saraswathi |first=S |date=7 November 2014 |title=Birthday Special: Kamal Haasan's 60 years of excellence |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/birthday-special-kamal-haasans-five-decades-of-excellence/20141107.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205120614/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/birthday-special-kamal-haasans-five-decades-of-excellence/20141107.htm |archive-date=5 February 2017 |access-date=6 May 2017 |website=[[Rediff.com]]}}</ref><ref name="currency">{{Cite web |year=1996 |title=Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/PA.NUS.FCRF?end=1996&locations=IN&start=1995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116095940/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/PA.NUS.FCRF?end=1996&locations=IN&start=1995 |archive-date=16 January 2019 |access-date=14 January 2019 |website=[[World Bank]]}}</ref> The music video for "Akadanu Naanga" directed by Padam Kumar and choreographed by [[Vaibhavi Merchant]], cost ₹1.5 crore.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Chopra |first=Anupama |author-link=Anupama Chopra |date=15 March 1997 |title=Film scripts demand extravagant song sequences to make box office jingle |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19970315-film-scripts-demand-extravagant-song-sequences-to-make-box-office-jingle-831176-1997-03-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116062855/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19970315-film-scripts-demand-extravagant-song-sequences-to-make-box-office-jingle-831176-1997-03-15 |archive-date=16 January 2019 |access-date=25 April 2013 |work=[[India Today]]}}</ref>


==Music==
== Soundtrack ==
{{Infobox album
{{Infobox album
| name        = Indian
| name        = Indian
Line 96: Line 98:
| genre        = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| genre        = [[Film soundtrack|Feature film soundtrack]]
| length      = 30:05
| length      = 30:05
| label        = [[Pyramid Saimira|Pyramid]]<br>Ayngaran Music<br>Star Music<br>[[Sa Re Ga Ma]]<br>[[Aditya Music]]<br>[[T-Series (company)|T-Series]]<br>[[Tips Industries|TIPS]]
| label        = [[Pyramid Saimira|Pyramid]] (Tamil)<br />[[Sony Music India]] (Tamil) <br />[[T-Series (company)|T-Series]] (Telugu)<br />[[Tips Industries]] (Hindi)
| producer    = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| producer    = [[A. R. Rahman]]
| prev_title  = [[Love Birds (1996 film)|Love Birds]]
| prev_title  = [[Love Birds (1996 film)|Love Birds]]
Line 109: Line 111:
}}
}}


The soundtrack album includes five tracks composed by [[A. R. Rahman]],<ref>{{cite web|title=Indian soundtrack by Rahman|publisher=A.R.Rahman Official Website|url=http://www.arrahman.com/v2/discography/films-tamil-indian.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913074208/http://www.arrahman.com/v2/discography/films-tamil-indian.html|archive-date=13 September 2011|df=dmy-all}}</ref> and was released in 1996 by [[Pyramid Saimira|Pyramid]].<ref name="Release">{{cite web|title=Indian release history|publisher=Tripod|url=http://gopalhome.tripod.com/arrdisc.html}}</ref>
The soundtrack album includes five tracks composed by [[A. R. Rahman]],<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian |url=http://www.arrahman.com/v2/discography/films-tamil-indian.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913074208/http://www.arrahman.com/v2/discography/films-tamil-indian.html |archive-date=13 September 2011 |access-date=30 August 2011 |website=arrahman.com}}</ref> and was released in 1996 by [[Pyramid Saimira|Pyramid]] & [[Sony Music India]]. The soundtrack was also released in [[Hindi]] as ''Hindustani'' by [[Tips Industries]] and in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''Bharateeyudu'' by [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]].<ref name="Release">{{Cite web |title=The Complete Discography of A.R.Rahman |url=http://gopalhome.tripod.com/arrdisc.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817095817/http://gopalhome.tripod.com/arrdisc.html |archive-date=17 August 2011 |access-date=30 August 2011 |website=gopalhome.tripod.com}}</ref> The lyrics were written by Vaali and Vairamuthu for the original version, [[Mehboob Kotwal|Mehboob]] & P. K. Mishra for ''Hindustani'' and Bhuvanachandra for ''Bharateeyudu''.
<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.tamilsonglyrics.org/indian-tamil-movie-songs-lyrics/|title=Indian Tamil movie songs lyrics|access-date=13 January 2015|publisher=tamilsonglyrics|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150113161012/http://www.tamilsonglyrics.org/indian-tamil-movie-songs-lyrics/|archive-date=13 January 2015|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The soundtrack proved successful upon release and was also released in [[Hindi language|Hindi]] as ''Hindustani'' by [[Tips Industries|TIPS]]<ref name="Release"/> and in [[Telugu language|Telugu]] as ''Bharateeyudu'' by [[T-Series (company)|T-Series]].<ref name="Release" /> The lyrics were written by [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]] and [[Vairamuthu]] for the original version, [[P. K. Mishra]] for ''Hindustani'' and Bhuvanachandra for ''Bharateeyudu''.


The Tamil soundtrack of ''Indian'' was a major success, having sold about 600,000 records within days of release.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/03/stories/2003070300410200.htm|title=Singing a different tune|work=The Hindu|access-date=3 July 2003|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040501172520/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/03/stories/2003070300410200.htm|archive-date=1 May 2004|url-status=usurped}}</ref> The Hindi soundtrack, called ''Hindustani'', sold a further 1.8{{nbsp}}million units,<ref name="boi90s">{{cite web|title=Music Hits 1990-1999 (Figures in Units)|url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102010439/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2010|website=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref> bringing total sales to at least 2.4{{nbsp}}million units. Kappaleri Poyachu was shot at [[Gingee fort]], Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu
The Tamil soundtrack of ''Indian'' was a major success, having sold about 600,000 records within days of release.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=3 July 2003 |title=Singing a different tune |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/03/stories/2003070300410200.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040501172520/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/03/stories/2003070300410200.htm |archive-date=1 May 2004 |access-date=3 July 2003 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref> The Hindi soundtrack, called ''Hindustani'', sold a further 1.8{{nbsp}}million units,<ref name="boi90s">{{Cite web |title=Music Hits 1990–1999 (Figures in Units) |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102010439/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5 |archive-date=2 January 2010 |access-date=15 January 2019 |website=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref> bringing total sales to at least 2.4{{nbsp}}million units.


{{tracklist
{{track listing
| headline = Track listing for ''Indian'' (Tamil)
| headline = Track listing for ''Indian'' (Tamil)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| title1 = Akadanu Naanga
| all_lyrics = [[Vaali (poet)|Vaalee]], except where noted
| extra1 = [[Swarnalatha]]
| title2 = Akadanu Naanga
| length1 = 5:44
| extra2 = Swarnalatha
| lyrics1 = [[Vaali (poet)|Vaali]]
| length2 = 5:44
| title2 = Maya Machindra
| lyrics3 =  
| extra2 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], Swarnalatha
| title1 = Maya Machindra
| length2 = 5:37
| extra1 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[Swarnalatha]]
| lyrics2 = Vaali
| length1 = 5:37
| title3 = Pachai Kiligal
| lyrics4 =  
| extra3 = [[K. J. Yesudas]], Nirmala Seshadri
| title4 = Pachai Kiligal
| length3 = 5:50
| extra4 = [[K. J. Yesudas]], Nirmala Seshadri
| lyrics3 = [[Vairamuthu]]
| length4 = 5:50
| title4 = Telephone Manipol
| lyrics5 =  
| extra4 = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Harini (singer)|Harini]], [[Srinivas (singer)|Srinivas]]
| title5 = Telephone Manipol
| length4 = 6:15
| extra5 = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Harini (singer)|Harini]], [[Srinivas (singer)|Srinivas]]
| lyrics4 = Vairamuthu
| length5 = 6:15
| title5 = Kappaleri Poyaachu
| lyrics1 =  
| extra5 = [[P. Susheela]], S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
| title3 = Kappaleri Poyaachu
| length5 = 6:28
| extra3 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], [[P. Susheela]]
| lyrics5 = Vaali
| length3 = 6:28
| note4  = Lyrics:[[Vairamuthu]]
| lyrics2 =
}}
}}


{{tracklist
{{track listing
| headline = Track listing for ''Hindustani'' (Hindi)
| headline     = Track listing for ''Hindustani'' (Hindi)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| all_lyrics = P. K. Mishra
| all_lyrics   = [[Mehboob Kotwal|Mehboob]] & P. K. Mishra
| title1 = Latka Dikha Diya Humne
| title1       = Latka Dikha Diya Humne
| extra1 = [[Swarnalatha]]
| extra1       = [[Swarnalatha]]
| length1 = 5:44
| length1       = 5:44
| title2 = Maya Machindra
| lyrics1      =
| extra2 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], Swarnalatha
| title2       = Maya Mahindra
| length2 = 5:37
| extra2       = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], Swarnalatha
| title3 = Pyaare Panchhi
| length2       = 5:37
| extra3 = [[K. J. Yesudas]], Nirmala Seshadri
| lyrics2      =
| length3 = 5:50
| title3       = Pyaare Panchhi
| title4 = Telephone Dhoon Me
| extra3       = [[K. J. Yesudas]], Nirmala Seshadri
| extra4 = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]], [[Srinivas (singer)|Srinivas]]
| length3       = 5:50
| length4 = 6:15
| lyrics3      =
| title5 = Kashtiyaan Bhi
| title4       = Telephone Dhoon Me
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| extra4       = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Kavita Krishnamurthy]], [[Srinivas (singer)|Srinivas]]
| length5 = 6:28
| length4       = 6:15
| title6 = Latka Dikha Diya Humne (version-2)
| lyrics4      =
| extra6 = Suchitra Krishnamurthy
| title5       = Kashtiyaan Bhi
| length6 = 5:48
| extra5       = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[Sadhana Sargam]]
| length5       = 6:28
| lyrics5      =
| title6       = Latka Dikha Diya Humne (version-2)
| extra6       = Suchitra Krishnamurthy
| length6       = 5:48
| lyrics6      =
}}
}}


{{tracklist
{{track listing
| headline = Track listing for ''Bharateeyudu'' (Telugu)
| headline     = Track listing for ''Bharateeyudu'' (Telugu)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| extra_column = Singer(s)
| all_lyrics = [[Bhuvanachandra]]
| all_lyrics   = [[Bhuvanachandra]]
| title1 = Adireti
| title1       = Adireti
| extra1 = [[Swarnalatha]]
| extra1       = [[Swarnalatha]]
| length1 = 5:44
| length1       = 5:44
| title2 = Maya Machindra
| title2       = Maya Mahindra
| extra2 = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], Swarnalatha
| extra2       = [[S. P. Balasubrahmanyam]], Swarnalatha
| length2 = 5:37
| length2       = 5:37
| title3 = Pachani Chilukalu
| title3       = Pachani Chilukalu
| extra3 = [[K. J. Yesudas]], Nirmala Seshadri
| extra3       = [[K. J. Yesudas]], Nirmala Seshadri
| length3 = 5:50
| length3       = 5:50
| title4 = Telephone Dhwani La
| title4       = Telephone Dhwani La
| extra4 = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Harini (singer)|Harini]], [[Srinivas (singer)|Srinivas]]
| extra4       = [[Hariharan (singer)|Hariharan]], [[Harini (singer)|Harini]], [[Srinivas (singer)|Srinivas]]
| length4 = 6:15
| length4       = 6:15
| title5 = Teppalelli Poyaka
| title5       = Teppalelli Poyaka
| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| extra5       = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, [[Sujatha Mohan]]
| length5 = 6:28
| length5       = 6:28
}}
}}


==Release==
== Release ==
Indian was released worldwide on 9 May 1996 and opened to predominantly positive reviews from critics.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/slideshow/the-best-one-time-partnerships/kamal---shankar-indian.html |title=Kamal&nbsp;— Shankar (Indian) &#124; The Best One-time Partnerships i love you |website=Behindwoods |access-date=2015-06-10}}</ref> Prior to the release of the film, the team also planned a Hindi version of the film. It was partially reshot in Hindi as ''Hindustani'' with [[Aruna Irani]] in place of Manorama. The Hindi version also did well after its release on 23 August 1996. The film was also dubbed in Telugu as ''Bharathyeedu'' and in Malayalam under the same title. In 2015, the Hindi version ''Hindustani'' was screened at the Habitat Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 10th Habitat Film Festival 2015 |url=http://www.habitatfilmclub.com/pdf/HFC_Brouchre_2015.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322032250/http://www.habitatfilmclub.com/pdf/HFC_Brouchre_2015.pdf |archive-date=22 March 2017 |access-date=27 October 2020 |publisher=Habitat Film Club}}</ref>
''Indian'' was released worldwide on 9 May 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |last=M V |first=Vivek |date=9 May 2021 |title=25 years of Indian: when grandeur had no limit |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/25-years-of-indian-when-grandeur-had-no-limit-984108.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323184502/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/25-years-of-indian-when-grandeur-had-no-limit-984108.html |archive-date=23 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=[[Deccan Herald]] |language=en}}</ref> Prior to the release of the film, the team also planned a Hindi version of the film. It was partially reshot in Hindi as ''Hindustani'' with [[Aruna Irani]] in place of Manorama. The Hindi version also did well after its release on 23 August 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2022 |title=1996-ல் வடஇந்தியாவை கலக்கிய கமல் - ஷங்கர் காம்பினேஷன்! |url=https://tamil.news18.com/photogallery/entertainment/cinema-kamal-haasan-shankar-combination-that-rocked-north-india-in-1996-hindustani-movie-790234.html |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20221005162416/https://tamil.news18.com/photogallery/entertainment/cinema-kamal-haasan-shankar-combination-that-rocked-north-india-in-1996-hindustani-movie-790234.html |archive-date=2022-10-05 |access-date=2025-12-05 |website=[[News18]] |language=Ta}}</ref> The film was also dubbed in Telugu as ''Bharathyeedu'' and in Malayalam under the same title. In 2015, the Hindi version ''Hindustani'' was screened at the Habitat Film Festival.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The 10th Habitat Film Festival 2015 |url=http://www.habitatfilmclub.com/pdf/HFC_Brouchre_2015.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322032250/http://www.habitatfilmclub.com/pdf/HFC_Brouchre_2015.pdf |archive-date=22 March 2017 |access-date=27 October 2020 |publisher=Habitat Film Club}}</ref>


== Reception ==
== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
=== Box office ===
The film became an Industry hit at the box office by breaking record for a Tamil film and earning over {{INR|65 crore}} in India.<ref name="Dhananjayan">{{cite book |last1=Dhananjayan |first1=G. |title=Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931 to 2013: Tamil Films that have earned National and International Recognition |date=2014 |publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers |page=353 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=e07vBwAAQBAJ&pg=PA353}}</ref> The film ran to packed houses for several months in Tamil Nadu. Indian was also dubbed into Telugu as ''Bharatheeyudu'' and in Hindi as ''Hindustani'' . Both Telugu and Hindi dubbed versions also became a major commercial success .
''Indian'' became a major box office success by grossing over {{INRConvert|35|c}} worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |date=10 July 2024 |title=28 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பே கோடிகளில் வசூல் செய்த கமலின் இந்தியன்.. இப்ப ஓவர்டேக் செய்யுமா? |url=https://zeenews.india.com/tamil/movies/kamal-haasan-1996-indian-movie-box-office-collection-report-gross-collection-515307 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240711031830/https://zeenews.india.com/tamil/movies/kamal-haasan-1996-indian-movie-box-office-collection-report-gross-collection-515307 |archive-date=2024-07-11 |access-date=2025-09-06 |website=[[Zee News]] |language=ta}}</ref> Both the Telugu and Hindi dubbed versions also emerged successful.<ref>{{cite web |date=11 January 2019 |title=Zero And KGF (Hindi) Third Week Update |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4615 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226050735/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4615 |archive-date=26 February 2024 |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref>
 
{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|-
! style="text-align:centr;" | Film
! style="text-align:centr;" | Release date
! style="text-align:centr;" | Budget
! style="text-align:centr;" | Box office revenue
!Ref
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |''[[Indian (1996 film)#Box office|Indian]]''||9 May 1996||{{INRConvert|15|c|year=1996|mode=historical}}||{{INRConvert|64.25|c|year=1996|mode=historical}}
|<ref name="gross">{{Cite web |last=Jogani |first=Rishil |date=10 July 2024 |title=Box Office Throwback: Revisiting Kamal Haasan and Shankar's All Time Blockbuster 1996 release, INDIAN |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/box-office-throwback-revisiting-kamal-haasan-and-shankars-all-time-blockbuster-1996-release-indian-1326383 |website=[[Pinkvilla]] |language=en |access-date=16 July 2024 |archive-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716161033/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/box-office-throwback-revisiting-kamal-haasan-and-shankars-all-time-blockbuster-1996-release-indian-1326383 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=11 January 2019 |title=Zero And KGF (Hindi) Third Week Update |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4615 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226050735/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4615 |archive-date=26 February 2024 |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=[[Box Office India]]}}</ref>
|-
| style="text-align:center;" |''[[Indian 2#Box office|Indian 2]]''||12 July 2024
|{{INRConvert|250|c}}–{{INRConvert|300|c}}
|{{INRConvert|151|c}}
|<ref>{{Cite web |last=Singh |first=Jatinder |date=13 August 2024 |title=Indian 2 worldwide closing box office collections: Kamal Haasan, Shankar film is a colocolossal DISASTER |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/indian-2-worldwide-closing-box-office-collections-kamal-haasan-shankar-film-is-a-colossal-disaster-1338607 |access-date=2024-08-16 |website=[[Pinkvilla]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-07-12 |title=Indian 2 Day 1 Box Office India: Kamal Haasan and Shankar's film takes an ordinary start; Grosses Rs 30 crore |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/indian-2-day-1-box-office-india-kamal-haasan-and-shankars-film-takes-an-ordinary-start-grosses-rs-30-crore-1327437 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240713091401/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/indian-2-day-1-box-office-india-kamal-haasan-and-shankars-film-takes-an-ordinary-start-grosses-rs-30-crore-1327437 |archive-date=13 July 2024 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=PINKVILLA |language=en}}</ref>  
|-
! colspan="2" style="text-align:centr;" | Total
! {{INRConvert|265|c}}–{{INRConvert|315|c}}
! {{INRConvert|215.25|c}}
!
|}
'''<big>Critical reception</big>'''
{{hatnote|Each film is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article.}}
{| class="wikitable sortable"
!Film
![[Rotten Tomatoes]]
|-
|[[Indian (1996 film)#Critical response|''Indian'']]
|N/A (1 reviews)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian (1996) {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/indian_1996 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en}}</ref>
|-
|[[Indian 2#Critical response|''Indian 2'']]
|15% (4/10 average rating) (13 reviews)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Indian 2 {{!}} Rotten Tomatoes |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/indian_2 |access-date=2025-02-03 |website=www.rottentomatoes.com |language=en |archive-date=14 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714025200/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/indian_2 |url-status=live }}</ref>
|}


=== Critical response ===
=== Critical response ===
<!-- Cinema Express review: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=2119610534937772&set=pb.100006665384914.-2207520000.1551283780.&type=3&theater -->
Nirupama Subramanian from ''[[India Today]]'' praised Shankar's script, noting that "with the right mix of pop patriotism, anti-establishment diatribes and other commercial cinema ingredients, Shankar's latest creation has south India applauding" before adding that "the real triumph of the film is the effective make-over that believably transforms the actors".<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=Subramanian |first=Nirupama |date=15 August 1996 |title=Pop patriotism |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/movie-review-s-shankar-indian-hindustani-kamalahasan-manisha-koirala/1/282191.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611113124/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/movie-review-s-shankar-indian-hindustani-kamalahasan-manisha-koirala/1/282191.html |archive-date=11 June 2015 |access-date=10 June 2015 |magazine=[[India Today]]}}</ref> Tharamani of ''[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]]'' praised the film for depicting romance in a dignified manner, narrating flashbacks in black-and-white and keeping the beauty shining and budding everywhere without being blinded but criticising the film for giving a wrong message of justifying the murders.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=தரமணி |date=2 June 1996 |title=இந்தியன் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1996-06-02/page/n65/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230410105305/https://archive.org/details/kalki1996-06-02/page/n65/mode/2up |archive-date=10 April 2023 |access-date=10 April 2023 |magazine=[[Kalki (magazine)|Kalki]] |language=ta |via=[[Internet Archive]]}}</ref> ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote, "Shankar establishes himself as one who thinks big  and executes  what  his mind has conceived in a lavish style  on  the screen be it the dance sequences or action and thrills the Tamil viewers  have  not  witnessed  before". The critic added, "Kamal is simply  superb  as Senapathy,  his thick voice and the dhoti-jubba attire adding  to his  portrayal. As Chandru he underplays his part".<ref>{{Cite news |date=17 May 1996 |title=Inthian/Chutti Kuzhandhai |url=http://www.webpage.com/hindu/960518/03/1729a.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961220215357/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/960518/03/1729a.html |archive-date=20 December 1996 |access-date=7 July 2023 |work=[[The Hindu]] |pages=29}}</ref>
A critic from ''[[India Today]]'' praised Shankar's script, noting that "with the right mix of pop patriotism, anti-establishment diatribes and other commercial cinema ingredients, Shankar's latest creation has south India applauding" before adding that "the real triumph of the film is the effective make-over that believably transforms the actors".<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/movie-review-s-shankar-indian-hindustani-kamalahasan-manisha-koirala/1/282191.html |title=Movie review: Indian (Hindustani), starring Kamalahasan, Manisha Koirala : FILMS|magazine=India Today|date=1996-08-15 |access-date=2015-06-10}}</ref> Another film critic wrote that "''Indian'' represents Shankar's best effort to date both in terms of the effectiveness of the message he conveys and the entertainment value of the movie as a whole", adding that "the movie features a hardhitting message as well as a great performance from Kamal as an old freedom fighter with a new agenda, impressive special effects and extravagant song sequences."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbthots.com/reviews/rewind/indian.html |title=INDIAN |publisher=Bbthots.com |access-date=2015-06-10}}</ref> The film went on to win three [[National Film Awards]]: [[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for Kamal Haasan's portrayal, [[National Film Award for Best Art Direction|Best Art Direction]] for [[Thota Tharani]]'s pre-independence sets and [[National Film Award for Best Special Effects|Best Special Effects]] for Venky's graphics work. It also achieved regional success, winning Best Film and Best Actor awards at both the Filmfare Awards and from the Tamil Nadu State.<ref name=et>{{cite web|url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/45330DAF8370E87C652569400062014F |title=Kamal wins 17th Film fare award for role in Indian |work=Economic Times |access-date=20 June 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928001259/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/%28docid%29/45330DAF8370E87C652569400062014F |archive-date=28 September 2011 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> It also became the [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Indian submission for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film]] in 1997, though eventually did not make the shortlist.


=== Accolades ===
=== Accolades ===
''Indian'' was selected by [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film|India as its entry]] for the [[Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film|Best Foreign Language Film]] for the [[Academy Awards]] in [[List of submissions to the 69th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film|1996]], but was [[List of Academy Award winners and nominees for Best Foreign Language Film|not nominated]].<ref name="69thSubmissions"/>
''Indian'' was selected by [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film|India as its entry]] for the [[Academy Award for Best International Feature Film|Best Foreign Language Film]] for the [[Academy Awards]] in [[List of submissions to the 69th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film|1996]], but was [[List of Academy Award winners and nominees for Best International Feature Film|not nominated]].<ref name="69thSubmissions">{{Cite web |date=13 November 1996 |title=39 Countries Hoping for Oscar Nominations |url=http://www.oscars.org/pressreleases/96.11.13.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990209110950/http://www.oscars.org/pressreleases/96.11.13.html |archive-date=9 February 1999 |access-date=5 October 2015 |website=oscars.org |publisher=[[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]]}}</ref>


{| class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable"
{| class="wikitable sortable wiki table plainrowheaders unsortable"
|- style="background:#ccc; vertical-align:bottom;"
! colspan="6" style="background: LightSteelBlue;" | List of awards and nominations
! colspan="6" style="background: LightSteelBlue;" | List of awards and nominations
|-
|-
!scope="col"| Award
!scope="col"| Award
Line 213: Line 253:
!scope="row" rowspan="3"|[[National Film Awards]]
!scope="row" rowspan="3"|[[National Film Awards]]
|rowspan="3"|[[44th National Film Awards|July 1997]]
|rowspan="3"|[[44th National Film Awards|July 1997]]
|[[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|[[National Film Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role|Best Actor]]
|[[Kamal Haasan]]
|[[Kamal Haasan]]
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3" | <ref name="1997award">{{cite web |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm44thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=44NFA.pdf |title=Award for the Best Actor |publisher=Directorate of Film Festivals |access-date=30 July 2011 |page=22 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928072421/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm44thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=44NFA.pdf |archive-date=28 September 2011 }}</ref>
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="3" | <ref name="1997award">{{Cite web |title=44th National Film Festival |url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm44thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=44NFA.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928072421/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm44thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=44NFA.pdf |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=30 July 2011 |publisher=[[Directorate of Film Festivals]] |page=22}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[National Film Award for Best Art Direction|Best Art Direction]]
| [[National Film Award for Best Production Design|Best Art Direction]]
| [[Thota Tharani]]
| [[Thota Tharani]]
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
|-
|-
| [[National Film Award for Best Special Effects|Best Special Effects]]
| [[National Film Award for Best Special Effects|Best Special Effects]]
| S. T. Venky
| [[S. T. Venki|S. T. Venky]]
| {{won}}
| {{won}}


Line 230: Line 270:
| rowspan="2" | {{Dash}}
| rowspan="2" | {{Dash}}
| [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film|Best Film {{small|(First prize)}}]]
| [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film|Best Film {{small|(First prize)}}]]
| [[A. M. Rathnam]] as a producer  
| [[A. M. Rathnam]] as a producer
| {{won}}
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/1996awards.htm |title=1996 State Awards|publisher=[[Dinakaran]]|access-date=2009-08-11 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/19990203152338/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/1996awards.htm |archive-date = 1999-02-03}}</ref>  
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | <ref>{{Cite web |title=1996 Cinema State Awards |url=http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/1996awards.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990203152338/http://www.dinakaran.com/cinema/english/awards/1996awards.htm |archive-date=3 February 1999 |access-date=11 August 2009 |website=[[Dinakaran]]}}</ref>
|-
|-
| [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
| [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
Line 242: Line 282:
|rowspan="2"|[[44th Filmfare Awards South|30 August 1997]]
|rowspan="2"|[[44th Filmfare Awards South|30 August 1997]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Film&nbsp;– Tamil|Best Film&nbsp;– Tamil]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Film&nbsp;– Tamil|Best Film&nbsp;– Tamil]]
|[[A. M. Rathnam]] as a producer  
|[[A. M. Rathnam]] as a producer
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmfare.com:80/site/october97/south3b.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991103152849/http://www.filmfare.com/site/october97/south3b.htm|archive-date=3 November 1999|title=Filmfare - South Special|date=3 November 1999|access-date=22 January 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.filmfare.com:80/site/october97/south3f.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991018182845/http://www.filmfare.com/site/october97/south3f.htm|archive-date=18 October 1999|title=Filmfare - South Special|date=18 October 1999|access-date=22 January 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name=et />  
|style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" | <ref>{{Cite web |date=October 1997 |title=Best Film |url=http://www.filmfare.com:80/site/october97/south3b.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991103152849/http://www.filmfare.com/site/october97/south3b.htm |archive-date=3 November 1999 |access-date=22 January 2020 |website=[[Filmfare]]}}</ref><br /><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 1997 |title=Best Actor |url=http://www.filmfare.com:80/site/october97/south3f.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19991018182845/http://www.filmfare.com/site/october97/south3f.htm |archive-date=18 October 1999 |access-date=22 January 2020 |website=[[Filmfare]]}}</ref><br /><ref name="et">{{Cite web |date=9 July 1997 |title=Kamal wins 17th Film fare award for role in Indian |url=http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/(docid)/45330DAF8370E87C652569400062014F |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110928001259/http://www.cscsarchive.org:8081/MediaArchive/art.nsf/%28docid%29/45330DAF8370E87C652569400062014F |archive-date=28 September 2011 |access-date=20 June 2013 |website=[[The Economic Times]]}}</ref>
|-
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor&nbsp;– Tamil|Best Actor&nbsp;– Tamil]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor&nbsp;– Tamil|Best Actor&nbsp;– Tamil]]
|[[Kamal Haasan]]
|[[Kamal Haasan]]
|{{won}}
|{{won}}
|}


|-
== Re-release ==
!scope="row" rowspan="2" | [[Cinema Express Awards]]
''Indian'' was re-released on 7 June 2024, in over 600 screens worldwide.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jose |first=Jilce |date=7 June 2024 |title=Kamal Haasan's 'Indian' Re-Releases Grandly; Fans Enjoy The Film With Fireworks In A Theatre |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kamal-haasans-indian-re-releases-grandly-fans-enjoy-the-film-with-fireworks-in-a-theatre/articleshow/110787958.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608015436/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kamal-haasans-indian-re-releases-grandly-fans-enjoy-the-film-with-fireworks-in-a-theatre/articleshow/110787958.cms |archive-date=8 June 2024 |access-date=7 June 2024 |website=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref>
| rowspan="2" | {{Dash}}
 
| [[Cinema Express Award for Best Film – Tamil|Best Film]]
== Sequels ==
| [[A. M. Rathnam]] as a producer
A sequel ''[[Indian 2]]'' again directed by Shankar and starring Haasan was released on 12 July 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=Kamal Haasan's Indian 2 gets a new release date; Shankar's film to hit screens in July |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/kamal-haasan-s-indian-2-gets-a-new-release-date-shankar-s-film-to-hit-screens-in-july-101716197558326.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522164954/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/kamal-haasan-s-indian-2-gets-a-new-release-date-shankar-s-film-to-hit-screens-in-july-101716197558326.html |archive-date=22 May 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref> A third film was shot [[Back-to-back film production|alongside]] ''Indian 2'';<ref>{{Cite web |date=25 March 2024 |title=Kamal Haasan to play guest role in Kalki 2898 AD, confirms Indian 3 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/kamal-haasan-to-play-guest-role-in-kalki-2898-ad-confirms-indian-3-101711346359134.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406060031/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/kamal-haasan-to-play-guest-role-in-kalki-2898-ad-confirms-indian-3-101711346359134.html |archive-date=6 April 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024 |website=[[Hindustan Times]] |language=en}}</ref> the film, titled ''Indian 3'', was still in production as of mid-2024.<ref>{{Cite news |date=19 May 2024 |title='Indian 3' to be out 6 months after 'Indian 2' release; Kamal Haasan and Shankar reveals |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/indian-3-to-be-out-6-months-after-indian-2-release-kamal-haasan-and-shankar-reveals/articleshow/110230266.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519063756/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/indian-3-to-be-out-6-months-after-indian-2-release-kamal-haasan-and-shankar-reveals/articleshow/110230266.cms |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024 |work=[[The Times of India]]}}</ref> In 2008, Shankar planned on a crossover film featuring characters from ''Indian'', ''[[Mudhalvan]]'' (1999) and ''[[Sivaji: The Boss]]'' (2007), but dropped the idea due to lack of encouragement from his assistant directors.<ref>{{Cite web |date=29 June 2024 |title=Shankar Wanted Film Universe With Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Anil Kapoor: 'No One Responded...' {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/shankar-wanted-film-universe-with-kamal-haasan-rajinikanth-anil-kapoor-no-one-responded-exclusive-8948263.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630140944/https://www.news18.com/movies/shankar-wanted-film-universe-with-kamal-haasan-rajinikanth-anil-kapoor-no-one-responded-exclusive-8948263.html |archive-date=30 June 2024 |access-date=30 June 2024 |website=[[News18]] |language=en}}</ref>
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" rowspan="2" |  
|-
| [[Cinema Express Award for Best Actor – Tamil|Best Actor]]
| [[Kamal Haasan]]
| {{won}}
|}


==Sequel==
==In popular culture==
{{main article|Indian 2}}
Senthil reprised the role of Panneerselvam in the 2008 film ''[[Satyam (2008 film)|Satyam]]''.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=22 August 2008 |title=After the hype and hoopla -- Satyam |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/08/22/stories/2008082250070200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013121718/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/08/22/stories/2008082250070200.htm |archive-date=13 October 2008 |access-date=20 March 2025 |website=[[The Hindu]]}}</ref>
In 2011, producer A. M. Rathnam discussed the idea of a sequel to this project as anti-corruption leaders like [[Anna Hazare]] were becoming active.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/sep-11-01/shankar-vijay-03-09-11.html|title=Shankar to work on Indian sequel?|website=Behindwoods|access-date=3 September 2011|date=3 September 2022}}</ref> In September 2017, a sequel was announced jointly by Shankar and Haasan, with [[Dil Raju]] handling production.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/kamal-haasan-shankar-to-reunite-for-indian-2/article19777753.ece |title=Kamal Haasan, Shankar to reunite for 'Indian 2' |date=30 September 2017 |work=The Hindu}}</ref> It entered production after Haasan completed work on ''[[Vishwaroopam II]]'' and ''[[Sabaash Naidu]]'' as ''[[Indian 2]]''.<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/kamal-haasan-wrap-up-vishwaroopam-2-sabash-naidu-indian-2/1/1060381.html |title=Kamal Haasan to wrap up Vishwaroopam 2 and Sabash Naidu before Indian 2 |date=2017-10-03 |work=India Today |access-date=2017-10-03}}</ref> The following month, Raju left the film which was then picked up by [[Lyca Productions]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/dil-raju-reveals-the-reason-for-handing-over-indian-2-to-lyca-productions.html|title=Dil Raju reveals the reason for handing over Indian 2 to Lyca Productions|date=21 October 2022}}</ref> The film has Haasan reprising his role as the titular character along with new addition of actors including [[Siddharth (actor)|Siddharth]], [[Kajal Aggarwal]], and many others. The soundtrack will be scored by [[Anirudh Ravichander]], the first time for a film starring Kamal Haasan. [[Kabilan Vairamuthu]] will be rendering his service for dialogue.


==See also==
== See also ==
* [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film]]
* [[List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film]]
* [[List of submissions to the 69th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film]]
* [[List of submissions to the 69th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film]]


==References==
== References ==
{{Reflist}}
{{Reflist}}


==External links==
== Bibliography ==
* {{IMDb title|id=0116630|title=Indian}}
* {{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |author-link=G. Dhananjayan |title=Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013 |title-link=Pride of Tamil Cinema |publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers |year=2014 |oclc=898765509}}
 
== External links ==
 
* {{IMDb title|0116630|qid=Q3111799|title=Indian}}
* {{IMDb title|8066940|qid=Q60737510|title=Indian 2}}
* {{IMDb title|29898610|qid=Q125948146|title=Indian 3}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}


{{S. Shankar}}
{{S. Shankar}}
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|title= Awards for ''Indian''
|title= Awards for ''Indian''
|list=
|list=
{{Filmfare Award for Best Film – Tamil}}
{{Filmfare Award for Best Film&nbsp;– Tamil}}
{{National Film Award Best Special Effects|state=collapsed}}
{{National Film Award Best Special Effects|state=collapsed}}
{{Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film}}
{{Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film}}
{{Indian submission for Academy Awards}}
{{Indian submission for Academy Awards}}
}}
}}
{{Sujatha}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Sujatha}}
[[Category:1990s chase films]]
 
[[Category:1996 Tamil-language films]]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Indian (Film)}}
[[Category:1990s vigilante films]]
[[Category:1996 action films]]
[[Category:1996 films]]
[[Category:1996 Indian films]]
[[Category:1996 martial arts films]]
[[Category:Central Bureau of Investigation in fiction]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Tamil Nadu Police]]
[[Category:Films about child death]]
[[Category:Films about corruption in India]]
[[Category:Films about father–son relationships]]
[[Category:Films about filicide]]
[[Category:Films about rebellions]]
[[Category:Films about road accidents and incidents]]
[[Category:Films directed by S. Shankar]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actor National Award–winning performance]]
[[Category:Films produced by A. M. Rathnam]]
[[Category:Films scored by A. R. Rahman]]
[[Category:Films set in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films set in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films set in Hong Kong]]
[[Category:Films featuring a Best Actor National Award-winning performance]]
[[Category:Films set in the British Raj]]
[[Category:Films about corruption in India]]
[[Category:Films set in the Indian independence movement]]
[[Category:Films set in the Indian independence movement]]
[[Category:1996 films]]
[[Category:Films shot in Australia]]
[[Category:Films shot in Australia]]
[[Category:Films shot in Chennai]]
[[Category:Films shot in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Films shot in Rajasthan]]
[[Category:Indian vigilante films]]
[[Category:Films that won the Best Special Effects National Film Award]]
[[Category:1990s Tamil-language films]]
[[Category:Films whose production designer won the Best Production Design National Film Award]]
[[Category:Films scored by A. R. Rahman]]
[[Category:Indian action films]]
[[Category:Films directed by S. Shankar]]
[[Category:Indian chase films]]
[[Category:Indian nonlinear narrative films]]
[[Category:Films about rebellions]]
[[Category:1990s vigilante films]]
[[Category:1996 action thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian action thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian films about revenge]]
[[Category:Indian films about revenge]]
[[Category:Kalarippayattu films]]
[[Category:Central Bureau of Investigation in fiction]]
[[Category:Fictional portrayals of the Tamil Nadu Police]]
[[Category:Fictional revolutionaries]]
[[Category:Films whose production designer won the Best Production Design National Film Award]]
[[Category:Films that won the Best Special Effects National Film Award]]
[[Category:Indian martial arts films]]
[[Category:Indian martial arts films]]
[[Category:Indian National Army in fiction]]
[[Category:Indian National Army in fiction]]
[[Category:1996 martial arts films]]
[[Category:Indian nonlinear narrative films]]
[[Category:Indian vigilante films]]
[[Category:Kalarippayattu films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language action films]]
[[Category:Tamil-language Indian films]]

Latest revision as of 18:34, 11 March 2026


Indian
Theatrical release poster
Directed byShankar
Produced byA. M. Rathnam
Screenplay byShankar
Story byS. Shankar
Dialogues by
Starring
Music byA. R. Rahman
CinematographyJeeva
Edited byB. Lenin
V. T. Vijayan
Production
company
Sri Surya Movies
Release date
  • 9 May 1996 (1996-05-09)
Running time
185 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil
Budget₹15 crore[1]

Indian is a 1996 Indian Tamil-language vigilante action film directed by Shankar and produced by Sri Surya Movies, The movie stars Kamal Haasan in the titular role, alongside an ensemble cast.[2][3] Set in different timelines, it follows Senapathy, an aging freedom fighter turned vigilante, known as "Indian", who fights against corruption. The film stars Kamal Haasan in dual roles, alongside Manisha Koirala, Urmila Matondkar, Sukanya, Manorama, Goundamani, Senthil, Nedumudi Venu, Kasthuri, Nizhalgal Ravi and Ajay Rathnam. It is the first instalment in the Indian film series. The music was composed by A. R. Rahman, while cinematography and editing were handled by Jeeva and B. Lenin-V. T. Vijayan. In the film, Senapathy, a retired freedom fighter rebels against corruption in India, which puts him in conflict with his son Chandru, who lives by corruption.

Indian was released on 9 May 1996 worldwide and became the highest-grossing Tamil film upon release.[4] It also helped popularise varma kalai, the martial art practised by the title character.[5] The filmwas selected by India as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards in 1996, but was not nominated. It won three National Film Awards, including Best Actor (Haasan), two South Filmfare Awards and two Tamil Nadu State Film Awards. It was partially reshot in Hindi as Hindustani with Manorama being replaced by Aruna Irani and released on 23 August 1996. A sequel titled Indian 2 was released in 2024 but the sequel became a commercial failure.

Plot[edit | edit source]

A series of killings takes place at Avadi in the same pattern within a few months; stabbing by a knife and the victim becoming paralysed before dying. The Chennai Police Department in liaison with the CBI form a joint team led by Krishnaswamy to nab the killer. They scrutinise the evidences and narrow down the killer by his age, which should be more than 70 based on the writing style of a letter left behind by the killer while killing an officer in the government treasury. The old man is later revealed to be Senapathy, a retired Indian freedom fighter and a member of Indian National Army led by Subhas Chandra Bose, for threatening a poor old woman to bribe him to hand over compensation amount of ₹10,000 (equivalent to ₹44,000 or US$620 in 2019) given by the government as her husband was killed in a riot.

Chandrabose "Chandru", a small-time broker stationed outside the Regional Transport Office at Chennai, and his assistant Subbaiah aid people in bribing the right officials inside the RTO in getting permits and licenses. At the same time Chandru's girlfriend Aishwarya, an animal rights activist, also comes into conflict with Sapna, the daughter of Secretary of Transportation. Chandru attempts to win over Sapna and her family to secure a job as a brake inspector at the same RTO. Aishwarya is irked by the fact that Sapna and her mother are exploiting Chandru's situation, getting him to do household chores. Sapna falls in love with Chandru, but she realises Chandru and Aishwarya's love and keeps her feelings as a secret.

Krishnaswamy manages to trace his way to Senapathy's house, posing as a freedom fighter eligible for Swathantra Sainik Samman Pension Scheme. When Krishnaswamy tries to arrest him, Senapathy and his wife Amirthavalli, escape with his expertise in Varma kalai. Later, Senapathy and Amirthavalli reaches a hospital. At that time, Amirthavalli meets Chandru at an elevator. It is revealed that Chandru is Senapathy's son. They had fallen out due to Senapathy's excessive insistence on honesty and righteousness, which Chandru considers irrelevant in present day. Senapathy kidnaps and murders a corrupt doctor on live television as the doctor refused to treat Senapathy's daughter Kasturi, who was suffering from third-degree burns unless given a bribe, but Senapathy refused, leading to her death. The public support surges for Senapathy as he exposes many corrupt individuals. Meanwhile, Chandru, who became a brake inspector, takes a bribe and gives a safety certificate to a school bus with faulty brakes, which crashes and kills 40 school children.

Chandru tries to inject alcohol into the driver's corpse to frame him for drunk driving, having bribed a doctor and police officer. Senapathy catches and tries to kill him, but is caught by Krishnaswamy, yet escapes from custody. Despite pleas from Amirthavalli and Aishwarya to spare Chandru's life, Senapathy heads for the airport, where Chandru is attempting to flee to Mumbai. A chase ensues, Senapathy mournfully kills Chandru and apparently dies in an explosion involving an aeroplane and a jeep. While investigating recorded footage, Krishnaswamy discovers that Senapathy escaped moments before the jeep exploded. Senapathy calls Krishnaswamy from Hong Kong to confirm his survival and asks to reveal this to the public. He adds that he will return, should the need for his presence arise.

Cast[edit | edit source]

Production[edit | edit source]

Development[edit | edit source]

Soon after the release of Gentleman (1993), Shankar narrated a script titled Periya Manushan to actor Rajinikanth, but the pair did not end up collaborating. Since the subject revolved around a father and son, he considered Rajasekhar for the father role, with either Nagarjuna or Venkatesh as the son, but the plans did not materialise. The film eventually materialised under the title Indian, produced by A. M. Rathnam, with Kamal Haasan playing both roles.[6] Haasan was initially reluctant to do the film because of its similarities to his 1977 film Naam Pirandha Mann, but relented after Rathnam paid him the entire salary before he began acting.[7] On 17 February 1995, the official muhurat pooja for this film took place, with Rajinikanth attending the event as its chief guest.[8]

Casting and filming[edit | edit source]

Sydney Harbour Bridge, which appears in the song "Telephone Manipol".

Shankar tried to cast Aishwarya Rai to make her debut and portray the leading female role. Her commitment to her advertisement agency until October 1995 meant that she was unavailable to sign the film.[9] Subsequently, Manisha Koirala was selected after Shankar was impressed with her performance in Bombay (1995). The producers wanted Radhika to play the pair of the older Kamal Haasan in the film, but her television commitments meant that she was unable to sign a contract. Urvashi subsequently replaced her, only for Shankar to throw her out for missing a day's schedule to attend her sister's wedding. The role was finally handed to Sukanya, who had previously appeared alongside Kamal Haasan in Mahanadhi (1994). Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar was signed to play another leading role after the producers were impressed with her performance and the success of her 1995 Hindi film, Rangeela.[9] Malayalam character actor Nedumudi Venu signed on to play the role of CBI officer Krishnaswamy at Haasan's recommendation,[10] while Nassar dubbed his voice.[11] The producers engaged Hollywood make-up artists Michael Westmore and Michael Jones to work on the designs for the senior Kamal Haasan's and Sukanya's look in the film.[12] The senior Kamal Haasan's look for the character Senapathy was based on Haasan's father.[13] Shankar initially wanted P. C. Sreeram to handle cinematography; however due to his other commitments, Jeeva was chosen as cinematographer.[14] One of the assistant directors chanced upon a book by varma kalai practitioner R. Rajendran about the martial art, and Rajendran was hired to teach Haasan the same.[15]

For production work, Shankar visited Las Vegas to learn about new technology and purchased cameras for production. Furthermore, the director visited Australia alongside cinematographer Jeeva and music director A. R. Rahman to location hunt and to compose tunes.[9] The film's unit was given strict orders to maintain privacy, with Hindi actor Jackie Shroff being notably turned away from visiting the shooting spot. A song for the film was shot at Prasad Studios featuring Haasan and Matondkar alongside 70 Bombay models.[16] This led to a protest from the Cine Dancers Union who argued that Tamil dancers should have been utilised instead, with Shankar opting to pay them off to avoid further hassle. Another duet between Haasan and Koirala was shot near the Sydney Opera House in Sydney and Canberra for fifteen days.[17] A flashback song was canned with four hundred dancers and a thousand extras at Gingee with Kamal Haasan and Sukanya, while another song featured shooting in Jodhpur, Rajasthan.[9][12] A fight scene was shot at Irungkaattukottai Motor Racing Track.[18] The flashback sequences, set during pre-Independent India, were in black-and-white.[19] Graphic designer Venky noted that Indian was his most difficult project to date (in 1997) with a scene constructed to feature Kamal Haasan's character alongside Subhas Chandra Bose. Venky had to remove blemishes on the film reel of Bose provided by the Film Division's archive before merging Haasan on to the shot to make it appear that the pair were marching in tandem.[20]

Indian was the most expensive Indian film at the time. According to an estimate by critic G. Dhananjayan, the production budget was ₹8 crores (worth ₹96 crores in 2021 prices).[21] Rediff.com however estimated budget to be ₹15 crore.[22][23] The music video for "Akadanu Naanga" directed by Padam Kumar and choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant, cost ₹1.5 crore.[24]

Soundtrack[edit | edit source]

Indian
Soundtrack album by
A. R. Rahman
Released1996
RecordedPanchathan Record Inn
GenreFeature film soundtrack
Length30:05
LabelPyramid (Tamil)
Sony Music India (Tamil)
T-Series (Telugu)
Tips Industries (Hindi)
ProducerA. R. Rahman
A. R. Rahman chronology
Love Birds
(1996) 		Indian
(1996) 		Kadhal Desam
(1996)
External audio
Audio Jukebox (Tamil) at YouTube
Audio Jukebox (Telugu) at YouTube
Audio Jukebox (Hindi) at YouTube

The soundtrack album includes five tracks composed by A. R. Rahman,[25] and was released in 1996 by Pyramid & Sony Music India. The soundtrack was also released in Hindi as Hindustani by Tips Industries and in Telugu as Bharateeyudu by T-Series.[26] The lyrics were written by Vaali and Vairamuthu for the original version, Mehboob & P. K. Mishra for Hindustani and Bhuvanachandra for Bharateeyudu.

The Tamil soundtrack of Indian was a major success, having sold about 600,000 records within days of release.[27] The Hindi soundtrack, called Hindustani, sold a further 1.8 million units,[28] bringing total sales to at least 2.4 million units.

All lyrics are written by Vaalee, except where noted.

Track listing for Indian (Tamil)
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Maya Machindra"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha5:37
2."Akadanu Naanga"Swarnalatha5:44
3."Kappaleri Poyaachu"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, P. Susheela6:28
4."Pachai Kiligal" (Lyrics:Vairamuthu)K. J. Yesudas, Nirmala Seshadri5:50
5."Telephone Manipol"Hariharan, Harini, Srinivas6:15

All lyrics are written by Mehboob & P. K. Mishra.

Track listing for Hindustani (Hindi)
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Latka Dikha Diya Humne"Swarnalatha5:44
2."Maya Mahindra"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha5:37
3."Pyaare Panchhi"K. J. Yesudas, Nirmala Seshadri5:50
4."Telephone Dhoon Me"Hariharan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Srinivas6:15
5."Kashtiyaan Bhi"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sadhana Sargam6:28
6."Latka Dikha Diya Humne (version-2)"Suchitra Krishnamurthy5:48

All lyrics are written by Bhuvanachandra.

Track listing for Bharateeyudu (Telugu)
No.TitleSinger(s)Length
1."Adireti"Swarnalatha5:44
2."Maya Mahindra"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha5:37
3."Pachani Chilukalu"K. J. Yesudas, Nirmala Seshadri5:50
4."Telephone Dhwani La"Hariharan, Harini, Srinivas6:15
5."Teppalelli Poyaka"S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan6:28

Release[edit | edit source]

Indian was released worldwide on 9 May 1996.[29] Prior to the release of the film, the team also planned a Hindi version of the film. It was partially reshot in Hindi as Hindustani with Aruna Irani in place of Manorama. The Hindi version also did well after its release on 23 August 1996.[30] The film was also dubbed in Telugu as Bharathyeedu and in Malayalam under the same title. In 2015, the Hindi version Hindustani was screened at the Habitat Film Festival.[31]

Reception[edit | edit source]

Box office[edit | edit source]

Indian became a major box office success by grossing over ₹35 crore (US$4.9 million) worldwide.[32] Both the Telugu and Hindi dubbed versions also emerged successful.[33]

Film Release date Budget Box office revenue Ref
Indian 9 May 1996 ₹15 crore (US$4.23 million) ₹64.25 crore (US$18.13 million) [34][35]
Indian 2 12 July 2024 ₹250 crore (US$35 million)–₹300 crore (US$42 million) ₹151 crore (US$21 million) [36][37]
Total ₹265 crore (US$37 million)–₹315 crore (US$44 million) ₹215.25 crore (US$30 million)

Critical reception

Each film is linked to the "Critical response" section of its article.
Film Rotten Tomatoes
Indian N/A (1 reviews)[38]
Indian 2 15% (4/10 average rating) (13 reviews)[39]

Critical response[edit | edit source]

Nirupama Subramanian from India Today praised Shankar's script, noting that "with the right mix of pop patriotism, anti-establishment diatribes and other commercial cinema ingredients, Shankar's latest creation has south India applauding" before adding that "the real triumph of the film is the effective make-over that believably transforms the actors".[40] Tharamani of Kalki praised the film for depicting romance in a dignified manner, narrating flashbacks in black-and-white and keeping the beauty shining and budding everywhere without being blinded but criticising the film for giving a wrong message of justifying the murders.[41] The Hindu wrote, "Shankar establishes himself as one who thinks big and executes what his mind has conceived in a lavish style on the screen be it the dance sequences or action and thrills the Tamil viewers have not witnessed before". The critic added, "Kamal is simply superb as Senapathy, his thick voice and the dhoti-jubba attire adding to his portrayal. As Chandru he underplays his part".[42]

Accolades[edit | edit source]

Indian was selected by India as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards in 1996, but was not nominated.[43]

List of awards and nominations
Award Date of ceremony Category Nominee(s) Result Ref.
National Film Awards July 1997 Best Actor Kamal Haasan Won [44]
Best Art Direction Thota Tharani Won
Best Special Effects S. T. Venky Won
Tamil Nadu State Film Awards  – Best Film (First prize) A. M. Rathnam as a producer Won [45]
Best Actor Kamal Haasan Won
Filmfare Awards South 30 August 1997 Best Film – Tamil A. M. Rathnam as a producer Won [46]
[47]
[48]
Best Actor – Tamil Kamal Haasan Won

Re-release[edit | edit source]

Indian was re-released on 7 June 2024, in over 600 screens worldwide.[49]

Sequels[edit | edit source]

A sequel Indian 2 again directed by Shankar and starring Haasan was released on 12 July 2024.[50] A third film was shot alongside Indian 2;[51] the film, titled Indian 3, was still in production as of mid-2024.[52] In 2008, Shankar planned on a crossover film featuring characters from Indian, Mudhalvan (1999) and Sivaji: The Boss (2007), but dropped the idea due to lack of encouragement from his assistant directors.[53]

In popular culture[edit | edit source]

Senthil reprised the role of Panneerselvam in the 2008 film Satyam.[54]

See also[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ Saraswathi, S. (7 November 2014). "Birthday Special: Kamal Haasan's 60 years of excellence". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 7 May 2024. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
  2. ↑ Srinivasan, Latha (12 July 2024). "Indian 2 movie review: Kamal Haasan's film is visually striking, but filled with political sermons". The Hindustan Times. Archived from the original on 12 July 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  3. ↑ "Indian 3' to be out 6 months after 'Indian 2' release; Kamal Hasaan and Shankar reveals". Times of India. 19 May 2024. Archived from the original on 19 May 2024. Retrieved 19 July 2024.
  4. ↑ Dhananjayan 2014, p. 352.
  5. ↑ Chandrasekar, Preethi (27 April 2003). "Martial art with a healing touch". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 17 June 2020. Retrieved 14 January 2026.
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  7. ↑ "அதுக்கு மயங்காதவர் உண்டா!..'இந்தியன்'படத்தில் கமல் நடித்தது இப்படித்தான்!." Cinereporters.com (in தமிழ்). 17 October 2021. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
  8. ↑ "An UNSEEN video from the sets of 'Indian' goes viral as the Kamal Haasan starrer completes 27 years". The Times of India. 10 May 2023. Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 12 July 2024.
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Sitaraman, Sandya (3 February 1996). "Tamil Movie News--Pudhu Edition(Cont.)". Google Groups. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  10. ↑ സംവിധായകൻ ശങ്കർ നെടുമുടിയുടെ അഭിനയം കണ്ട് അന്ന് ചോദിച്ചത് | Kamal Hasan | Nedumudi Venu | Kairali TV (in മലയാളം). Kairali TV. 23 October 2021. Archived from the original on 12 March 2024. Retrieved 12 March 2024 – via YouTube.
  11. ↑ Balaji (7 September 2018). "|கமலைத் துரத்தக் காத்திருக்கும் நெடுமுடி வேணு". Minnambalam (in தமிழ்). Archived from the original on 3 November 2024. Retrieved 3 November 2024.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 Sitaraman, Sandya (29 March 1996). "Tamil Movie News--Pudhu Edition(Cont.)". Google Groups. Archived from the original on 1 December 2021. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  13. ↑ "Kamal Haasan's Senapathy look from 'Indian' was based on his father: Shankar". India Today. 27 June 2024. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 28 June 2024.
  14. ↑ "எனக்கு யாரும் சிஷ்யர்கள் இல்லை!". Kalki (in தமிழ்). 30 July 2006. pp. 56–57. Retrieved 30 March 2024 – via Internet Archive.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
  15. ↑ Ramanujam, Srinivasa (5 May 2021). "25 years of 'Indian': Meet 'Aasaan' Rajendran, who taught 'varmakkalai' to Kamal Haasan". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 8 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2021.
  16. ↑ Sitaraman, Sandya (3 February 1996). "Tamil Movie News--Pudhu Edition". Google Groups. Archived from the original on 10 April 2023. Retrieved 10 April 2023.
  17. ↑ Rajitha (4 April 1997). "'The story line is important, the rest are like cosmetics'". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 30 December 2013. Retrieved 10 June 2015.
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  22. ↑ Saraswathi, S (7 November 2014). "Birthday Special: Kamal Haasan's 60 years of excellence". Rediff.com. Archived from the original on 5 February 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2017.
  23. ↑ "Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average)". World Bank. 1996. Archived from the original on 16 January 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
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  25. ↑ "Indian". arrahman.com. Archived from the original on 13 September 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  26. ↑ "The Complete Discography of A.R.Rahman". gopalhome.tripod.com. Archived from the original on 17 August 2011. Retrieved 30 August 2011.
  27. ↑ Pillai, Sreedhar (3 July 2003). "Singing a different tune". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 1 May 2004. Retrieved 3 July 2003.
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  29. ↑ M V, Vivek (9 May 2021). "25 years of Indian: when grandeur had no limit". Deccan Herald. Archived from the original on 23 March 2024. Retrieved 23 March 2024.
  30. ↑ "1996-ல் வடஇந்தியாவை கலக்கிய கமல் - ஷங்கர் காம்பினேஷன்!". News18 (in தமிழ்). 23 August 2022. Archived from the original on 5 October 2022. Retrieved 5 December 2025.
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  32. ↑ "28 ஆண்டுகளுக்கு முன்பே கோடிகளில் வசூல் செய்த கமலின் இந்தியன்.. இப்ப ஓவர்டேக் செய்யுமா?". Zee News (in தமிழ்). 10 July 2024. Archived from the original on 11 July 2024. Retrieved 6 September 2025.
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  38. ↑ "Indian (1996) | Rotten Tomatoes". www.rottentomatoes.com. Retrieved 3 February 2025.
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  41. ↑ தரமணி (2 June 1996). "இந்தியன்". Kalki (in தமிழ்). Retrieved 10 April 2023 – via Internet Archive.{{cite magazine}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link)
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  53. ↑ "Shankar Wanted Film Universe With Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Anil Kapoor: 'No One Responded...' | Exclusive". News18. 29 June 2024. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
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