Watch Indian
- NR
- 1996
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8.1 (14,778)
Indian is a 1996 Indian Tamil-language vigilante thriller film directed by Shankar and starring Kamal Haasan in dual roles, with Manisha Koirala, Urmila Matondkar, Sukanya, and Goundamani in supporting roles. The film's score and soundtrack were composed by A. R. Rahman, while cinematography was handled by Jeeva. Produced by A. M. Rathnam, the film focuses on an ex-freedom fighter turned vigilante who takes on corruption and crime in Indian society.
The story takes place in the early 1990s in Chennai, India, where a series of high-profile murders take place. The victims are all corrupt officials who have been arrested or convicted by the Indian government's Anti-Corruption Department. The killer, who goes by the name Senapathy, drops hints about his next victim before carrying out the assassination. The police are baffled by Senapathy's modus operandi, which involves leaving a trail of evidence that leads to him, but ultimately culminates in his successful murder of the corrupt official in question.
As the body count rises, the Indian government calls in a renowned criminologist, Dr. Chandralekha, to assist with the investigation. However, despite her expertise, Dr. Chandralekha is unable to solve the case, and she enlists the help of her former lover, the ex-freedom fighter Senapathy. Senapathy agrees to work with Dr. Chandralekha on the condition that she helps him carry out his mission to rid the nation of corruption.
The film then shifts gears to reveal Senapathy's backstory, detailing his life as a freedom fighter who fought for Indian independence. However, when he saw that the post-independence government was just as corrupt as the British colonial regime, he became disillusioned and decided to take matters into his own hands.
The rest of the film follows Senapathy and Dr. Chandralekha as they uncover a web of corruption and take on the powerful people behind it. Along the way, Senapathy faces several challenges, including the attempted assassination of his daughter, played by Urmila Matondkar, and multiple attempts to frame him for the murders he committed. But despite these hurdles, Senapathy and Dr. Chandralekha remain relentless in their pursuit of justice.
The film's themes of corruption, vigilante justice, and patriotism struck a chord with audiences, and it became a blockbuster hit upon release. It was also lauded for Kamal Haasan's dual performance as both Senapathy and his son, and A. R. Rahman's memorable soundtrack, which featured the iconic hits "Telephone Manipol" and "Pachai Kiligal."
Overall, Indian is a gripping and thought-provoking thriller that resonates with audiences even today. Its themes of corruption and the fight against institutional oppression are as relevant now as they were when the film was first released. Kamal Haasan's powerhouse performance and A. R. Rahman's soul-stirring music make this film a must-watch for all fans of Indian cinema.
Indian is a 1996 drama. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.1.