As ‘Indian 2’ (marketed as ‘Indian 2: Zero Tolerance’) approaches its release on July 12, it’s the perfect time to revisit the original film. Directed by S. Shankar and starring Kamal Haasan, ‘Indian’ (1996) left a lasting impact, and the sequel is building on that monumental legacy. Here are some fascinating facts about the original film ‘Indian’:
1. Core Idea Was Reverse Approached
Director Shankar aimed to address the everyday issue of petty bribery, a relatable problem for the common man. Inspired by his own experiences during college, Shankar created the character of Senapathy, a freedom fighter and follower of Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. This unique character helped Shankar craft the story of ‘Indian.’
2. Original Netaji Footage & Outstanding Graphics/Special Effects
To establish the connection between Senapathy and Netaji’s Indian National Army, Shankar used original footage of Subhas Chandra Bose and inserted Kamal Haasan into it using special effects. This challenging task earned ‘Indian’ the National Film Award for Best Special Effects.
3. Aishwarya Rai Was Approached Pre-Debut
Before her film debut in ‘Iruvar’ (1997), Aishwarya Rai was offered a role in ‘Indian.’ However, contractual obligations prevented her from joining the cast, leading to the casting of Manisha Koirala and Urmila Matondkar.
4. Academy Award-Winning Makeup Artist
The prosthetic makeup for the elderly Senapathy, played by Kamal Haasan, was done by Oscar-winning makeup artist Michael Westmore, known for his work on ‘Mask’ (1985) and ‘Star Trek: First Contact’ (1996).
5. Kamal Assisted Michael Westmore on ‘Star Trek’
Interestingly, Kamal Haasan assisted Michael Westmore on the set of ‘Star Trek: First Contact.’
6. Kamal Learned Real Varma Kalai
Kamal Haasan trained in Varma Kalai, an Indian martial art, under Aasaan Rajendran for his role in ‘Indian,’ bringing authenticity to his performance.
7. The Chair Scene Was Written for Rajinikanth
The iconic chair scene in ‘Indian’ was initially written with Rajinikanth in mind. However, Kamal Haasan made it his own when he took on the role.
8. Plan B Before Kamal
If Kamal Haasan had declined the role, the film would have featured Venkatesh as the son and Rajasekar as the father in the Telugu version. Fortunately, Kamal agreed to play both roles, creating cinematic history.
9. India’s Entry for the Oscars
‘Indian’ was India’s official entry for the Best Foreign Language Film category at the 1996 Academy Awards, though it did not receive a nomination.
10. Sequel and Future Prospects
‘Indian 2’ is scheduled to release worldwide on July 12 in standard and IMAX formats. Due to its length of over six hours, it was split into two parts, with ‘Indian 3’ planned for release in 2025.
End of 🧵 28 years ago, Kamal Haasan and director Shankar left a strong impression with ‘Indian’ (1996), a film still referenced today for its take on corruption. The highly anticipated sequel, ‘Indian 2,’ is set to release soon, with corruption remaining a relevant issue. Fans eagerly await the return of Senapathy and look forward to the immediate sequel, ‘Indian 3.’
