Director Shankar had made a name for himself quite a while before Indian. The film saw Haasan in two roles -- a young man on the quick route to money and corruption, and the other, an upright old man who was once a freedom-fighter, intent on following his principles. Inevitably, the two clash, leading to a cataclysmic climax.

Kamal distinguished himself by playing the older man to perfection, with his body language and elaborate make-up.

Manisha Koirala and Urmila Matongkar supplied the glamour quotient. Suganya played wife to the older man. The flashback sequences showing a part of the freedom struggle earned a great deal of acclaim to both Shankar and Haasan.

Indian was India's nomination for Best foreign language film for the 1996 Academy awards. It also won him his fourth national for best actor.

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