Cast
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Kamal Haasan
as Veerasekaran Senapathy / Chandra Bose
Sukanya
as Amrithavalli
Manisha Koirala
as Aishwarya
Urmila Matondkar
as Sapna
Nedumudi Venu
as Krishnasamy
Goundamani
as Subbaiyaa
Senthil
as Panneerselvam
Kasturi Shankar
as Kasthuri
Nizhalgal Ravi
as Corrupt Doctor
Crazy Mohan
as Parthasarathy
Omakuchi Narasimhan
as Lorry Driver
Ajay Rathnam
as Freedom Fighter
Manorama
as Kuppamma
Bala Singh
as Treasury department officer
Ponnambalam
as 'Kada' Kumar
Crew
Director
- Shankar
Writer
- Sujatha Rangarajan
Producer
- A. M. Rathnam
- Jhamu Sughand
Reviews
Thematic Analysis
As a dramatic work, Indian examines complex human relationships and emotional struggles against the backdrop of a period setting that reflects societal issues of its time. The character development particularly stands out, offering viewers a chance to reflect on their own life journeys.
Director Shankar 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 character development and emotional depth creates a viewing experience that rewards close attention.
Released in 1996, 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 Indian took approximately 29 months from pre-production to final cut.
- With a budget of $1.8 million, the film proved to be a financial success, earning back its investment and more.
- The final cut of the film runs for 185 minutes, though the director's initial assembly was reportedly 216 minutes long.
- The screenplay went through 11 major revisions before the final shooting script was approved.
- The cast underwent specialized training for 4 weeks before filming began.
- The film contains approximately 2389 individual shots.
Historical Context
- In 1996, when this film was released:
- Globalization was accelerating economic and cultural exchange.
- 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 Indian shares thematic elements with other films in its genre, it distinguishes itself through its unique approach to storytelling, visual style, and character development.
Unlike Pearl Harbor, which focuses more on action than character development, Indian subverts genre expectations by exploring its themes with greater nuance.
While films like Contact and Top Gun explore similar territory, Indian 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: May 9, 1996
- Runtime: 3h 5m
- Budget: $1,800,000
- Revenue: $4,200,000
Where to Watch
