Indian (1996 film)#Critical response

A series of killings takes place at Avadi in the same pattern within a few months; stabbing by a knife and the victim becoming paralysed before dying. The Chennai Police Department in liaison with the CBI form a joint team led by Krishnaswamy to nab the killer. They scrutinise the evidences and narrow down the killer by his age, which should be more than 70 based on the writing style of a letter left behind by the killer while killing an officer in the government treasury. The old man is later revealed to be Senapathy, a retired Indian freedom fighter and a member of Indian National Army led by Subhas Chandra Bose, for threatening a poor old woman to bribe him to hand over compensation amount of {{INRConvert|10000||year=1996}} given by the government as her husband was killed in a riot.

Chandrabose "Chandru", a small-time broker stationed outside the Regional Transport Office at Chennai, and his assistant Subbaiah aid people in bribing the right officials inside the RTO in getting permits and licenses. At the same time Chandru's girlfriend Aishwarya, an animal rights activist, also comes into conflict with Sapna, the daughter of Secretary of Transportation. Chandru attempts to win over Sapna and her family to secure a job as a brake inspector at the same RTO. Aishwarya is irked by the fact that Sapna and her mother are exploiting Chandru's situation, getting him to do household chores. Sapna falls in love with Chandru, but she realises Chandru and Aishwarya's love and keeps her feelings as a secret.

Krishnaswamy manages to trace his way to Senapathy's house, posing as a freedom fighter eligible for Swathantra Sainik Samman Pension Scheme. When Krishnaswamy tries to arrest him, Senapathy and his wife Amirthavalli, escape with his expertise in Varma kalai. Later, Senapathy and Amirthavalli reaches a hospital. At that time, Amirthavalli meets Chandru at an elevator. It is revealed that Chandru is Senapathy's son. They had fallen out due to Senapathy's excessive insistence on honesty and righteousness, which Chandru considers irrelevant in present day. Senapathy kidnaps and murders a corrupt doctor on live television as the doctor refused to treat Senapathy's daughter Kasturi, who was suffering from third-degree burns unless given a bribe, but Senapathy refused, leading to her death. The public support surges for Senapathy as he exposes many corrupt individuals. Meanwhile, Chandru, who became a brake inspector, takes a bribe and gives a safety certificate to a school bus with faulty brakes, which crashes and kills 40 school children.

Chandru tries to inject alcohol into the driver's corpse to frame him for drunk driving, having bribed a doctor and police officer. Senapathy catches him and tries to kill him, but is caught by Krishnaswamy, yet escapes from custody. Despite pleas from Amirthavalli and Aishwarya to spare Chandru's life, Senapathy heads for the airport, where Chandru is attempting to flee to Mumbai. A chase culminates, where Senapathy mournfully kills Chandru and apparently dies in an explosion involving an aeroplane and a jeep. While investigating recorded footage, Krishnaswamy discovers that Senapathy escaped moments before the jeep exploded. Senapathy calls Krishnaswamy from Hong Kong to confirm his survival and asks to reveal this to the public. He adds that he will return, should the need for his presence arise.

{{Cast listing|

• Kamal Haasan in a dual role as:
• Senapathy (Indian)
• Chandrabose (Chandru)
• Manisha Koirala as Aishwarya (Voice dubbed by Rohini)
• Urmila Matondkar as Sapna (Voice dubbed by Bhanupriya)
• Sukanya as Amrithavalli
• Manorama as Kuppamma
• Aruna Irani as Gulabo (Hindi version only)
• Goundamani as Subbaiah
• Senthil as Panneerselvam
• Nedumudi Venu as Krishnaswamy IPS (Voice dubbed by Nassar)
• Kasthuri as Kasturi
• Nizhalgal Ravi as a corrupt doctor
• Ajay Rathnam as a freedom fighter
• Ponnambalam as "Kada" Kumar
• Bala Singh as Treasury department officer

• Chokkalinga Bhagavathar
• Omakuchi Narasimhan as a lorry driver
• Crazy Mohan as Parthasarathy
• Vikram Dharma
• Kovai Senthil as a customer
• Mahanadi Shankar
• S. V. Venkatraman in a special appearance

}}

Soon after the release of Gentleman (1993), Shankar narrated a script titled Periya Manushan to actor Rajinikanth, but the pair did not end up collaborating. Since the subject revolved around a father and son, he considered Rajasekhar for the father role, with either Nagarjuna or Venkatesh as the son, but the plans did not materialise. The film eventually materialised under the title Indian, produced by A. M. Rathnam, with Kamal Haasan playing both roles.{{Cite web |date=18 January 2019 |title=Rajinikanth was Shankar's first choice for Indian but Superstar turned it down |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/rajinikanth-was-shankar-s-first-choice-for-indian-but-superstar-turned-it-down-1433630-2019-01-18 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220210172408/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/rajinikanth-was-shankar-s-first-choice-for-indian-but-superstar-turned-it-down-1433630-2019-01-18 |archive-date=10 February 2022 |access-date=15 June 2021 |website=India Today}} Haasan was initially reluctant to do the film because of its similarities to his 1977 film Naam Pirandha Mann, but relented after Rathnam paid him the entire salary before he began acting.{{Cite web |date=17 October 2021 |title=அதுக்கு மயங்காதவர் உண்டா!..'இந்தியன்'படத்தில் கமல் நடித்தது இப்படித்தான்!.. |url=https://cinereporters.com/kamal-accepted-indian-movie/ |access-date=15 July 2024 |website=Cinereporters.com |language=ta |archive-date=14 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240714051701/https://cinereporters.com/kamal-accepted-indian-movie/ |url-status=live }} On 17 February 1995, the official muhurat pooja for this film took place, with Rajinikanth attending the event as its chief guest.{{Cite news |date=10 May 2023 |title=An UNSEEN video from the sets of 'Indian' goes viral as the Kamal Haasan starrer completes 27 years |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/an-unseen-video-from-the-sets-of-indian-goes-viral-as-the-kamal-haasan-starrer-completes-27-years/articleshow/100121258.cms |access-date=12 July 2024 |work=The Times of India |archive-date=10 June 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610050113/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/an-unseen-video-from-the-sets-of-indian-goes-viral-as-the-kamal-haasan-starrer-completes-27-years/articleshow/100121258.cms |url-status=live }}

File:Sydney Harbour Bridge from Circular Quay.jpg

Shankar tried to cast Aishwarya Rai to make her debut and portray the leading female role. Her commitment to her advertisement agency until October 1995 meant that she was unavailable to sign the film.{{Cite web |last=Sitaraman |first=Sandya |date=3 February 1996 |title=Tamil Movie News--Pudhu Edition(Cont.) |url=https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/1EPmpEGDWEg#661f147d5a971af3 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410111957/https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/1EPmpEGDWEg#661f147d5a971af3 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |access-date=10 April 2023 |website=Google Groups}} Subsequently, Manisha Koirala was selected after Shankar was impressed with her performance in Bombay (1995). The producers wanted Radhika to play the pair of the older Kamal Haasan in the film, but her television commitments meant that she was unable to sign a contract. Urvashi subsequently replaced her, only for Shankar to throw her out for missing a day's schedule to attend her sister's wedding. The role was finally handed to Sukanya, who had previously appeared alongside Kamal Haasan in Mahanadhi (1994). Bollywood actress Urmila Matondkar was signed to play another leading role after the producers were impressed with her performance and the success of her 1995 Hindi film, Rangeela. Malayalam character actor Nedumudi Venu signed on to play the role of CBI officer Krishnaswamy at Haasan's recommendation,{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwInSlisbfI |title=സംവിധായകൻ ശങ്കർ നെടുമുടിയുടെ അഭിനയം കണ്ട് അന്ന് ചോദിച്ചത് {{!}} Kamal Hasan {{!}} Nedumudi Venu {{!}} Kairali TV |date=23 October 2021 |language=ml |publisher=Kairali TV |access-date=12 March 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240312043250/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xwInSlisbfI |archive-date=12 March 2024 |url-status=live |via=YouTube}} while Nassar dubbed his voice.{{Cite web |last=Balaji |date=7 September 2018 |title={{!}}கமலைத் துரத்தக் காத்திருக்கும் நெடுமுடி வேணு |url=https://minnambalam.com/public/%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%AE%E0%AE%B2%E0%AF%88%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%81%E0%AE%B0%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%95%E0%AF%8D-%E0%AE%95%E0%AE%BE%E0%AE%A4%E0%AF%8D%E0%AE%A4%E0%AE%BF%E0%AE%B0/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/RGNsB |archive-date=3 November 2024 |access-date=3 November 2024 |website=Minnambalam |language=Ta}} The producers engaged Hollywood make-up artists Michael Westmore and Michael Jones to work on the designs for the senior Kamal Haasan's and Sukanya's look in the film.{{Cite web |last=Sitaraman |first=Sandya |date=29 March 1996 |title=Tamil Movie News--Pudhu Edition(Cont.) |url=https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/98PBC6XdMIc#5d1d1219418d2c3f |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211201095954/https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/98PBC6XdMIc#5d1d1219418d2c3f |archive-date=1 December 2021 |access-date=10 April 2023 |website=Google Groups}} The senior Kamal Haasan's look for the character Senapathy was based on Haasan's father.{{Cite web |date=27 June 2024 |title=Kamal Haasan's Senapathy look from 'Indian' was based on his father: Shankar |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kamal-haasans-senapathy-look-from-indian-was-based-on-his-father-shankar-exclusive-2559042-2024-06-27 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240627130201/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/kamal-haasans-senapathy-look-from-indian-was-based-on-his-father-shankar-exclusive-2559042-2024-06-27 |archive-date=27 June 2024 |access-date=28 June 2024 |website=India Today}} Shankar initially wanted P. C. Sreeram to handle cinematography; however due to his other commitments, Jeeva was chosen as cinematographer.{{Cite magazine |date=30 July 2006 |title=எனக்கு யாரும் சிஷ்யர்கள் இல்லை! |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki2006-07-30/page/56/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240330150442/https://archive.org/details/kalki2006-07-30/page/56/mode/2up |archive-date=30 March 2024 |access-date=30 March 2024 |magazine=Kalki |pages=56–57 |language=ta |via=Internet Archive}} One of the assistant directors chanced upon a book by varma kalai practitioner R. Rajendran about the martial art, and Rajendran was hired to teach Haasan the same.{{Cite news |last=Ramanujam |first=Srinivasa |date=5 May 2021 |title=25 years of 'Indian': Meet 'Aasaan' Rajendran, who taught 'varmakkalai' to Kamal Haasan |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/how-kamal-haasan-learnt-varmakkalai-for-indian/article34489479.ece |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210508070327/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/how-kamal-haasan-learnt-varmakkalai-for-indian/article34489479.ece |archive-date=8 May 2021 |access-date=8 May 2021 |work=The Hindu}}

For production work, Shankar visited Las Vegas to learn about new technology and purchased cameras for production. Furthermore, the director visited Australia alongside cinematographer Jeeva and music director A. R. Rahman to location hunt and to compose tunes. The film's unit was given strict orders to maintain privacy, with Hindi actor Jackie Shroff being notably turned away from visiting the shooting spot. A song for the film was shot at Prasad Studios featuring Haasan and Matondkar alongside 70 Bombay models.{{Cite web |last=Sitaraman |first=Sandya |date=3 February 1996 |title=Tamil Movie News--Pudhu Edition |url=https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/qhLi2l0Wc4k#24db2c43c9bde581 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230410112024/https://groups.google.com/g/soc.culture.tamil/c/qhLi2l0Wc4k#24db2c43c9bde581 |archive-date=10 April 2023 |access-date=10 April 2023 |website=Google Groups}} This led to a protest from the Cine Dancers Union who argued that Tamil dancers should have been utilised instead, with Shankar opting to pay them off to avoid further hassle. Another duet between Haasan and Koirala was shot near the Sydney Opera House in Sydney and Canberra for fifteen days.{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=4 April 1997 |title='The story line is important, the rest are like cosmetics' |url=http://www.rediff.com/entertai/apr/04sank.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131230233722/http://www.rediff.com/entertai/apr/04sank.htm |archive-date=30 December 2013 |access-date=10 June 2015 |website=Rediff.com}} A flashback song was canned with four hundred dancers and a thousand extras at Gingee with Kamal Haasan and Sukanya, while another song featured shooting in Jodhpur, Rajasthan. A fight scene was shot at Irungkaattukottai Motor Racing Track.{{Cite news |last=Raman |first=Mohan |author-link=Mohan Raman |date=25 August 2020 |title=#MadrasThroughTheMovies: Films that captured the 'sport'y Madras |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/madrasthroughthemovies-films-that-captured-the-sporty-madras/articleshow/77729580.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240306041759/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/madrasthroughthemovies-films-that-captured-the-sporty-madras/articleshow/77729580.cms |archive-date=6 March 2024 |access-date=24 April 2024 |work=The Times of India}} The flashback sequences, set during pre-Independent India, were in black-and-white.{{Cite web |last=Sundaram |first=Nandhu |date=2 October 2017 |title=Kamal Haasan's Indian set benchmark for special effects, art direction — How will the sequel fare? |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kamal-haasans-indian-set-benchmark-for-special-effects-art-direction-how-will-the-sequel-fare-4101769.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231103022108/https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/kamal-haasans-indian-set-benchmark-for-special-effects-art-direction-how-will-the-sequel-fare-4101769.html |archive-date=3 November 2023 |access-date=11 September 2023 |website=Firstpost |language=en}} Graphic designer Venky noted that Indian was his most difficult project to date (in 1997) with a scene constructed to feature Kamal Haasan's character alongside Subhas Chandra Bose. Venky had to remove blemishes on the film reel of Bose provided by the Film Division's archive before merging Haasan on to the shot to make it appear that the pair were marching in tandem.{{Cite web |last=Rajitha |date=4 November 1997 |title=The Grand Illusion |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/nov/04ven.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141217175704/http://m.rediff.com/movies/nov/04ven.htm |archive-date=17 December 2014 |access-date=10 June 2015 |website=Rediff.com}}

Indian was the most expensive Indian film at the time. According to an estimate by critic G. Dhananjayan, the production budget was ₹8 crores (worth ₹96 crores in 2021 prices).{{sfn|Dhananjayan|2014|page=353}} Rediff.com however estimated budget to be ₹15 crore.{{Cite web |last=Saraswathi |first=S |date=7 November 2014 |title=Birthday Special: Kamal Haasan's 60 years of excellence |url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/birthday-special-kamal-haasans-five-decades-of-excellence/20141107.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170205120614/http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/birthday-special-kamal-haasans-five-decades-of-excellence/20141107.htm |archive-date=5 February 2017 |access-date=6 May 2017 |website=Rediff.com}}{{Cite web |year=1996 |title=Official exchange rate (LCU per US$, period average) |url=https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/PA.NUS.FCRF?end=1996&locations=IN&start=1995 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116095940/https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/PA.NUS.FCRF?end=1996&locations=IN&start=1995 |archive-date=16 January 2019 |access-date=14 January 2019 |website=World Bank}} The music video for "Akadanu Naanga" directed by Padam Kumar and choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant, cost ₹1.5 crore.{{Cite news |last=Chopra |first=Anupama |author-link=Anupama Chopra |date=15 March 1997 |title=Film scripts demand extravagant song sequences to make box office jingle |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19970315-film-scripts-demand-extravagant-song-sequences-to-make-box-office-jingle-831176-1997-03-15 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190116062855/https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/society-the-arts/films/story/19970315-film-scripts-demand-extravagant-song-sequences-to-make-box-office-jingle-831176-1997-03-15 |archive-date=16 January 2019 |access-date=25 April 2013 |work=India Today}}

{{Infobox album

| name = Indian

| type = soundtrack

| artist = A. R. Rahman

| cover =

| alt =

| released = 1996

| recorded = Panchathan Record Inn

| venue =

| studio =

| genre = Feature film soundtrack

| length = 30:05

| label = Pyramid
Ayngaran Music
Star Music
Saregama
Aditya Music
T-Series
TIPS

| producer = A. R. Rahman

| prev_title = Love Birds

| prev_year = 1996

| next_title = Kadhal Desam

| next_year = 1996

| misc = {{External media

| audio1 = {{YouTube|JIEEGSNcAb0|Audio Jukebox {{small|(Tamil)}}}}

| audio2 = {{YouTube|naFejM5HQaY&t|Audio Jukebox {{small|(Telugu)}}}}

| audio3 = {{YouTube|AXqW-fYmKw8|Audio Jukebox {{small|(Hindi)}}}}

}}

}}

The soundtrack album includes five tracks composed by A. R. Rahman,{{Cite web |title=Indian |url=http://www.arrahman.com/v2/discography/films-tamil-indian.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110913074208/http://www.arrahman.com/v2/discography/films-tamil-indian.html |archive-date=13 September 2011 |access-date=30 August 2011 |website=arrahman.com}} and was released in 1996 by Pyramid. The soundtrack was also released in Hindi as Hindustani by TIPS and in Telugu as Bharateeyudu by T-Series.{{Cite web |title=The Complete Discography of A.R.Rahman |url=http://gopalhome.tripod.com/arrdisc.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110817095817/http://gopalhome.tripod.com/arrdisc.html |archive-date=17 August 2011 |access-date=30 August 2011 |website=gopalhome.tripod.com}} The lyrics were written by Vaali and Vairamuthu for the original version, P. K. Mishra for Hindustani and Bhuvanachandra for Bharateeyudu.

The Tamil soundtrack of Indian was a major success, having sold about 600,000 records within days of release.{{Cite web |last=Pillai |first=Sreedhar |date=3 July 2003 |title=Singing a different tune |url=http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/03/stories/2003070300410200.htm |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040501172520/http://www.hinduonnet.com/thehindu/mp/2003/07/03/stories/2003070300410200.htm |archive-date=1 May 2004 |access-date=3 July 2003 |website=The Hindu}} The Hindi soundtrack, called Hindustani, sold a further 1.8{{nbsp}}million units,{{Cite web |title=Music Hits 1990–1999 (Figures in Units) |url=http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100102010439/http://boxofficeindia.com/showProd.php?itemCat=284&catName=MTk5MC0xOTk5 |archive-date=2 January 2010 |access-date=15 January 2019 |website=Box Office India}} bringing total sales to at least 2.4{{nbsp}}million units.

{{track listing

| headline = Track listing for Indian (Tamil)

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| title1 = Akadanu Naanga

| extra1 = Swarnalatha

| length1 = 5:44

| lyrics1 = Vaali

| title2 = Maya Machindra

| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha

| length2 = 5:37

| lyrics2 = Vaali

| title3 = Pachai Kiligal

| extra3 = K. J. Yesudas, Nirmala Seshadri

| length3 = 5:50

| lyrics3 = Vairamuthu

| title4 = Telephone Manipol

| extra4 = Hariharan, Harini, Srinivas

| length4 = 6:15

| lyrics4 = Vairamuthu

| title5 = Kappaleri Poyaachu

| extra5 = P. Susheela, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

| length5 = 6:28

| lyrics5 = Vaali

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Track listing for Hindustani (Hindi)

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| all_lyrics = P. K. Mishra

| title1 = Latka Dikha Diya Humne

| extra1 = Swarnalatha

| length1 = 5:44

| title2 = Maya Mahindra

| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha

| length2 = 5:37

| title3 = Pyaare Panchhi

| extra3 = K. J. Yesudas, Nirmala Seshadri

| length3 = 5:50

| title4 = Telephone Dhoon Me

| extra4 = Hariharan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, Srinivas

| length4 = 6:15

| title5 = Kashtiyaan Bhi

| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sadhana Sargam

| length5 = 6:28

| title6 = Latka Dikha Diya Humne (version-2)

| extra6 = Suchitra Krishnamurthy

| length6 = 5:48

}}

{{track listing

| headline = Track listing for Bharateeyudu (Telugu)

| extra_column = Singer(s)

| all_lyrics = Bhuvanachandra

| title1 = Adireti

| extra1 = Swarnalatha

| length1 = 5:44

| title2 = Maya Mahindra

| extra2 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Swarnalatha

| length2 = 5:37

| title3 = Pachani Chilukalu

| extra3 = K. J. Yesudas, Nirmala Seshadri

| length3 = 5:50

| title4 = Telephone Dhwani La

| extra4 = Hariharan, Harini, Srinivas

| length4 = 6:15

| title5 = Teppalelli Poyaka

| extra5 = S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, Sujatha Mohan

| length5 = 6:28

}}

Indian was released worldwide on 9 May 1996.{{Cite web |last=M V |first=Vivek |date=9 May 2021 |title=25 years of Indian: when grandeur had no limit |url=https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/25-years-of-indian-when-grandeur-had-no-limit-984108.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240323184502/https://www.deccanherald.com/entertainment/25-years-of-indian-when-grandeur-had-no-limit-984108.html |archive-date=23 March 2024 |access-date=23 March 2024 |website=Deccan Herald |language=en}} Prior to the release of the film, the team also planned a Hindi version of the film. It was partially reshot in Hindi as Hindustani with Aruna Irani in place of Manorama. The Hindi version also did well after its release on 23 August 1996.{{Cite web |date=21 August 2007 |title=Ready for another Sivaji release this Diwali? |url=https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/aug-07-04/21-08-07-sivaji.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230406194221/http://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news/aug-07-04/21-08-07-sivaji.html |archive-date=6 April 2023 |access-date=10 April 2023 |website=Behindwoods}} The film was also dubbed in Telugu as Bharathyeedu and in Malayalam under the same title. In 2015, the Hindi version Hindustani was screened at the Habitat Film Festival.{{Cite web |title=The 10th Habitat Film Festival 2015 |url=http://www.habitatfilmclub.com/pdf/HFC_Brouchre_2015.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170322032250/http://www.habitatfilmclub.com/pdf/HFC_Brouchre_2015.pdf |archive-date=22 March 2017 |access-date=27 October 2020 |publisher=Habitat Film Club}}

Indian became a major box office success by grossing {{INRConvert|64.25|c}} worldwide.{{Cite web |last=Jogani |first=Rishil |date=10 July 2024 |title=Box Office Throwback: Revisiting Kamal Haasan and Shankar's All Time Blockbuster 1996 release, INDIAN |url=https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/box-office-throwback-revisiting-kamal-haasan-and-shankars-all-time-blockbuster-1996-release-indian-1326383 |website=Pinkvilla |language=en |access-date=16 July 2024 |archive-date=16 July 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240716161033/https://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/box-office/box-office-throwback-revisiting-kamal-haasan-and-shankars-all-time-blockbuster-1996-release-indian-1326383 |url-status=live }} Both the Telugu and Hindi dubbed versions also emerged successful.{{cite web |date=11 January 2019 |title=Zero And KGF (Hindi) Third Week Update |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4615 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240226050735/https://boxofficeindia.com/report-details.php?articleid=4615 |archive-date=26 February 2024 |access-date=26 February 2024 |website=Box Office India}}

Nirupama Subramanian from India Today praised Shankar's script, noting that "with the right mix of pop patriotism, anti-establishment diatribes and other commercial cinema ingredients, Shankar's latest creation has south India applauding" before adding that "the real triumph of the film is the effective make-over that believably transforms the actors".{{Cite magazine |last=Subramanian |first=Nirupama |date=15 August 1996 |title=Pop patriotism |url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/movie-review-s-shankar-indian-hindustani-kamalahasan-manisha-koirala/1/282191.html |url-status=dead |magazine=India Today |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150611113124/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/education/story/movie-review-s-shankar-indian-hindustani-kamalahasan-manisha-koirala/1/282191.html |archive-date=11 June 2015 |access-date=10 June 2015}} Tharamani of Kalki praised the film for depicting romance in a dignified manner, narrating flashbacks in black-and-white and keeping the beauty shining and budding everywhere without being blinded but criticising the film for giving a wrong message of justifying the murders.{{Cite magazine |last=தரமணி |date=2 June 1996 |title=இந்தியன் |url=https://archive.org/details/kalki1996-06-02/page/n65/mode/2up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20230410105305/https://archive.org/details/kalki1996-06-02/page/n65/mode/2up |archive-date=10 April 2023 |access-date=10 April 2023 |magazine=Kalki |language=ta |via=Internet Archive}} The Hindu wrote, "Shankar establishes himself as one who thinks big and executes what his mind has conceived in a lavish style on the screen be it the dance sequences or action and thrills the Tamil viewers have not witnessed before". The critic added, "Kamal is simply superb as Senapathy, his thick voice and the dhoti-jubba attire adding to his portrayal. As Chandru he underplays his part".{{Cite news |date=17 May 1996 |title=Inthian/Chutti Kuzhandhai |pages=29 |work=The Hindu |url=http://www.webpage.com/hindu/960518/03/1729a.html |url-status=dead |access-date=7 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19961220215357/http://www.webpage.com/hindu/960518/03/1729a.html |archive-date=20 December 1996}}

Indian was selected by India as its entry for the Best Foreign Language Film for the Academy Awards in 1996, but was not nominated.{{Cite web |date=13 November 1996 |title=39 Countries Hoping for Oscar Nominations |url=http://www.oscars.org/pressreleases/96.11.13.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990209110950/http://www.oscars.org/pressreleases/96.11.13.html |archive-date=9 February 1999 |access-date=5 October 2015 |website=oscars.org |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences}}

Indian was re-released on 7 June 2024, in over 600 screens worldwide.{{Cite web |last=Jose |first=Jilce |date=7 June 2024 |title=Kamal Haasan's 'Indian' Re-Releases Grandly; Fans Enjoy The Film With Fireworks In A Theatre |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kamal-haasans-indian-re-releases-grandly-fans-enjoy-the-film-with-fireworks-in-a-theatre/articleshow/110787958.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240608015436/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/kamal-haasans-indian-re-releases-grandly-fans-enjoy-the-film-with-fireworks-in-a-theatre/articleshow/110787958.cms |archive-date=8 June 2024 |access-date=7 June 2024 |website=The Times of India}}

{{Main|Indian 2|Indian 3}}

A sequel Indian 2 again directed by Shankar and starring Haasan was released on 12 July 2024.{{Cite web |date=20 May 2024 |title=Kamal Haasan's Indian 2 gets a new release date; Shankar's film to hit screens in July |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/kamal-haasan-s-indian-2-gets-a-new-release-date-shankar-s-film-to-hit-screens-in-july-101716197558326.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240522164954/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/kamal-haasan-s-indian-2-gets-a-new-release-date-shankar-s-film-to-hit-screens-in-july-101716197558326.html |archive-date=22 May 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} A third film is also in production and was shot alongside Indian 2;{{Cite web |date=25 March 2024 |title=Kamal Haasan to play guest role in Kalki 2898 AD, confirms Indian 3 |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/kamal-haasan-to-play-guest-role-in-kalki-2898-ad-confirms-indian-3-101711346359134.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240406060031/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/kamal-haasan-to-play-guest-role-in-kalki-2898-ad-confirms-indian-3-101711346359134.html |archive-date=6 April 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en}} the film, titled Indian 3, is being aimed for release in 2025, six months after its predecessor.{{Cite news |date=19 May 2024 |title='Indian 3' to be out 6 months after 'Indian 2' release; Kamal Haasan and Shankar reveals |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/indian-3-to-be-out-6-months-after-indian-2-release-kamal-haasan-and-shankar-reveals/articleshow/110230266.cms |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240519063756/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/indian-3-to-be-out-6-months-after-indian-2-release-kamal-haasan-and-shankar-reveals/articleshow/110230266.cms |archive-date=19 May 2024 |access-date=24 May 2024 |work=The Times of India}} In 2008, Shankar planned on a crossover film featuring characters from Indian, Mudhalvan (1999) and Sivaji: The Boss (2007), but dropped the idea due to lack of encouragement from his assistant directors.{{Cite web |date=29 June 2024 |title=Shankar Wanted Film Universe With Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Anil Kapoor: 'No One Responded...' {{!}} Exclusive |url=https://www.news18.com/movies/shankar-wanted-film-universe-with-kamal-haasan-rajinikanth-anil-kapoor-no-one-responded-exclusive-8948263.html |access-date=30 June 2024 |website=News18 |language=en |archive-date=30 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240630140944/https://www.news18.com/movies/shankar-wanted-film-universe-with-kamal-haasan-rajinikanth-anil-kapoor-no-one-responded-exclusive-8948263.html |url-status=live }}

Senthil reprised the role of Panneerselvam in the film Satyam.{{Cite web |last=Rangarajan |first=Malathi |date=22 August 2008 |title=After the hype and hoopla -- Satyam |url=http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/08/22/stories/2008082250070200.htm |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081013121718/http://www.hindu.com/cp/2008/08/22/stories/2008082250070200.htm |archive-date=13 October 2008 |access-date=20 March 2025 |website=The Hindu}}

• List of Indian submissions for the Academy Award for Best International Feature Film
• List of submissions to the 69th Academy Awards for Best Foreign Language Film

{{Reflist}}

• {{Cite book |last=Dhananjayan |first=G. |title=Pride of Tamil Cinema: 1931–2013 |title-link=Pride of Tamil Cinema |publisher=Blue Ocean Publishers |year=2014 |oclc=898765509 |author-link=G. Dhananjayan}}

• {{IMDb title}}
• {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

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