Cast
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Manoj Bajpayee
as Inspector Samar Pratap Singh
Sayaji Shinde
as Bacchu "Bhaiyyaji" Yadav
Raveena Tandon
as Manjari Singh
Shilpa Shetty Kundra
as Item Girl
Nawazuddin Siddiqui
as Waiter
Rajpal Yadav
as Violent Coolie
Ganesh Yadav
as Inspector Hussain
Yashpal Sharma
as Lallan Singh
Veerendra Saxena
as Prabal Pratap Singh
Vineet Kumar
as Inspector Tiwari
Shri Vallabh Vyas
as D.S.P
Pratima Kazmi
as Bhachhu Yadav's Mother
Nandu Madhav
as Laljee Yadav
Crew
Director
- Eeshwar Nivas
Producer
- Ram Gopal Varma
- Nitin Manmohan
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
This high-octane Action/Crime film balances spectacular sequences with character-driven moments. Unlike many films in the genre, Shool distinguishes itself through a unique visual style and creative action choreography.
Director Eeshwar Nivas brings their distinctive visual style to this film, continuing their exploration of themes seen in their previous works while adding new elements. Their approach to pacing and visual storytelling creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1999, the film exists within a cultural context that now offers viewers historical perspective on the social issues of that era. Its reception demonstrates the diverse reactions to its artistic choices and its place in cinema history.
Did You Know?
- The production of Shool took approximately 7 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $0.3 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 142 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 199 minutes long.
- The costume department created over 286 unique costume pieces for the production.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 5 weeks before filming began.
- Some visual effects sequences took up to 4 months to complete.
Historical Context
- In 1999, when this film was released:
- The end of the Cold War was reshaping global politics.
- The internet was beginning to transform communication and information access.
- Independent cinema was growing in influence, challenging the dominance of major studios.
How This Film Stands Out
While Shool shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Samrat Prithviraj, which focuses more on action than character development, Shool subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Hawalaat and Pyari Behna explore similar territory, Shool stands apart through its deeper exploration of its central themes and more complex characterization.
This film's unique contribution to cinema lies in its bold artistic choices and willingness to challenge viewer expectations, making it a valuable addition to its genre.
Details
- Release Date: November 4, 1999
- Runtime: 2h 22m
- Budget: $310,000
- Revenue: $2,300,000
