Indian (2001 film)

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Indian
Indian (2001).jpg
Theatrical release poster
Directed by N. Maharajan
Screenplay byN. Maharajan
Dialogues bySanjay Masoomm
Story byN. Maharajan
Based on Vallarasu
(by N. Maharajan)
Produced by Dharmendra
Starring Sunny Deol
Shilpa Shetty
Danny Denzongpa
Raj Babbar
Mukesh Rishi
Rahul Dev
CinematographyA. Ramesh Kumar
Edited byB. S. Vasu
Saleem
Music by Anand Raaj Anand
Production
company
Distributed by Eros International
Release date
  • 26 October 2001 (2001-10-26)
Running time
178 minutes
CountryIndia
LanguageHindi
Budget15 crore [1]
Box office42.60 crore (Equivalent To 500Cr in 2025) [1]

Indian is a 2001 Indian Hindi-language action film directed by N. Maharajan and produced by Dharmendra under Vijayta Films. A remake of the director's own Tamil film Vallarasu , the film stars Sunny Deol, Shilpa Shetty and Danny Denzongpa in pivotal roles, along with Raj Babbar, Mukesh Rishi and Rahul Dev. It was the second-biggest blockbuster of Sunny Deol (after Gadar: Ek Prem Katha) in 2001.

Contents

Indian was released on 26 October 2001 with excellent box office reports, grossing a domestic net of 18 million on its opening day. Made on a budget of 150 million, it was a commercial success at the box office, earning over 540 million worldwide. [2] It was the fourth highest-grossing Hindi film of 2001, with a net gross of 280 million. [3] [4]

Plot

The story centres on the unwavering moral code and relentless pursuit of justice by DCP Rajshekhar Singh Azad, a highly decorated and incorruptible police officer. Rajshekhar is a devoted family man living with his loving wife, Anjali, and their two children, a portrait of an ideal citizen balancing duty with domestic life. The central conflict ignites when Rajshekhar successfully arrests the notorious terrorist Wasim Khan, a terrorist whose activities are aimed at destabilizing India.

However, the layers of corruption begin to peel back, revealing a sinister nexus that connects the terrorist to powerful figures within the establishment. Azad's investigation soon implicates the influential industrialist Shankar Singhania as the mastermind, who is using Wasim Khan just as a pawn to further his own vested interests in creating chaos. Another devastating revelation for Rajshekhar is the shocking discovery that his own father-in-law, the high-ranking officer DGP Surya Pratap Singh, is also working for Shankar Singhania, having succumbed to the web of greed and power.

Driven by his fierce commitment to the nation above all else, Rajshekhar is forced to take the extreme and tragic step of eliminating his father-in-law. This devastating act shatters his personal life, leading his wife, Anjali, to leave him, believing he has murdered her father for no justifiable reason. She later files for a divorce from him. Rajshekhar, now estranged from his family but undeterred in his mission, continues his brutal campaign to cleanse the system. He executes Wasim Khan, but the true kingpin, Shankar Singhania, remains at large and protected by his vast resources and connections.

Rajshekhar, unable to fight the entrenched corruption solely through official channels, takes on the mantle of a vigilante. He gathers and mobilizes a group of patriotic, yet disillusioned, youths — those who had previously failed to gain entry into the police force but share his deep commitment to the country. Together, they form an unofficial task force dedicated to eliminating the enemies of the state. In a climactic showdown, Rajshekhar manages to corner and kill the kingpin, Shankar Singhania, thus dismantling the entire conspiracy.

The film concludes on a redemptive note when Anjali finally learns the truth about her father's betrayal and Rajshekhar’s sacrifice, leading her to reconcile with her husband, whose actions, though morally complex, were driven by the ultimate duty to protect the country.

Cast

Production

Deol, who usually did not star in remakes, saw Vallarasu and loved it. This was his second home production after Dillagi , and while admitting there were no drastic changes made to the script, he revealed the only thing changed was the nativity in order to suit the northern audience." [5]

Music and soundtrack

The music of the film was composed by Anand Raaj Anand and the lyrics of the songs were penned by Anand Bakshi.

Indian
Soundtrack album by
Released2001
Genre Feature film soundtrack
Label Universal Music India
TitleSinger(s)
"Waton Walo" Roop Kumar Rathod
"Deewane" Shaan, Alka Yagnik
"Yeh Pyar" Richa Sharma, Sunidhi Chauhan
"Rab Di Kasam" Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik
"Jaana Maine" Abhijeet, Sadhana Sargam
"Thaath Nawabi" Anand Raj Anand, Alka Yagnik

Reception

Online Bangalore described that the film will certainly appeal to the majority of the masses. [6] Khalid Mohammed of The Times of India described the film as a "messy bang-a-bang movie." [4]

Sequel

The making of a sequel, to be called Indian 2, and to star Sunny Deol and be directed by Maharajan, was announced in 2018. [7]

References

  1. 1 2 "Indian – Movie". Box Office India. Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  2. "Indian - Movie". Box Office India . Archived from the original on 27 October 2022. Retrieved 27 October 2022.
  3. Saini, Kainika (30 November 2020). "Muhurat Of Sunny Deol's Action Film Indian (2001)". Lehren. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  4. 1 2 Khalid, Mohammed (29 October 2001). "Indian". Times of India. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.
  5. "'I see no competition from Asoka'". Rediff.com . Archived from the original on 22 April 2023. Retrieved 2 September 2023.
  6. "Movie Review: Indian". Online Bangalore. Archived from the original on 20 August 2021. Retrieved 20 August 2021.
  7. "Sunny Deol to play the lead in Indian 2". Cinema Express. 4 April 2018. Archived from the original on 31 August 2021. Retrieved 31 August 2021.