30 years of Shankar: Films of the Indian 2 director that are a must-watch

Throughout his career, Shankar has made films across various genres, including action, drama, romance, science fiction, and social commentary. His movies often tackle pertinent social issues such as corruption, inequality, and the impact of technology on society, making them not just entertaining but thought-provoking as well. One of the hallmarks of Shankar's films is their high production values, which include cutting-edge visual effects, impressive set designs, and extravagant song sequences. He collaborates with top-notch technicians, music directors, and actors to ensure that his films are visually stunning and have wide appeal. Here are a few films of the director that are a must-watch.

Gentleman (1993)

Gentleman, which marked Shankar's debut in films, revolves around the character of Krishnamurthy (played by Arjun Sarja), a graduate who struggles to find a job due to corruption prevalent in society. Frustrated by the system, he adopts the identity of a kind-hearted man named Gentleman and sets out to expose corrupt individuals in society. The film received praise for its social message, engaging storyline, and Arjun Sarja's performance in the dual role.

Kadhalan (1994)

This romantic musical film revolves around Prabhu, a college student passionate about dance, who falls in love with Shruthi, daughter of a police officer. Meanwhile, the city is troubled by terrorist attacks, and Prabhu becomes involved in the investigation, aiding the police in identifying a suspect. The mastermind behind the attacks is revealed to be Shankar, a deranged former college professor. The film's soundtrack, composed by A. R. Rahman gained immense popularity, especially songs like Mukkala Muqabla and Urvasi Urvasi.

Indian (1996)

Indian, is a vigilante film that features Kamal Haasan in a double role as father Senapathy and son Chandra Bose. Senapathy, a freedom fighter, turns into a vigilante in his later years to eradicate corruption and punish wrongdoers in society. The film masterfully weaves together a powerful social message with action and drama, and Kamal Haasan's portrayal of the two contrasting characters was widely lauded.

Mudhalvan (1999)

The plot of Mudhalvan revolves around Pugazhendhi (played by Arjun Sarja), a persistent and righteous television reporter who gets an exclusive interview opportunity with the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (Raghuvaran). During the interview, he questions the Chief Minister about the lack of governance and accountability. The Chief Minister challenges him to take charge of the state as Chief Minister for a day. Pughazhendhi accepts the challenge and begins his one-day tenure as the Chief Minister. During this brief period, he takes on various corrupt officials and addresses critical issues plaguing society.

Sivaji: The Boss (2007)

Sivaji: The Boss stars Rajinikanth in the titular role of Sivaji Arumugam, an NRI software engineer who returns to India with the goal of uplifting society through charity. However, he encounters corruption and bureaucracy while trying to establish a free educational institution. The film, made on a grand scale, was praised for its production values, Rajinikanth's charismatic performance, and the social issues it addressed.

Anniyan (2005)

This psychological thriller had Vikram playing three distinct characters - Ramanujam, a mild-mannered lawyer suffering from multiple personality disorder; Remo, a charming model; and Anniyan, a vigilante with a strong sense of justice who seeks to punish wrongdoers. Ramanujam Iyengar, who is frustrated by the rampant corruption and apathy in society transforms into Anniyan, who takes the law into his own hands and delivers vigilante justice to those he deems guilty. As Anniyan, he executes a series of meticulously planned punishments, leaving clues for the police and the public to understand his motivations.

Enthiran (2010)

Enthiran is a science fiction film that stars Rajinikanth as Dr Vaseegaran, a scientist who creates a humanoid robot named Chitti. The movie explores the consequences when Chitti falls in love with Sana (played by Aishwarya Rai Bachchan) and faces the challenges of being a sentient machine. The film was a visual spectacle, featuring groundbreaking special effects for its time, and Rajinikanth's portrayal of the dual roles was highly appreciated.

I (2015)

I is a romantic thriller that stars Vikram as Lingesan, a deformed hunchback who transforms into a charismatic model after undergoing a series of cosmetic surgeries. However, his life takes a dark turn when he becomes a victim of jealousy and revenge. The film garnered attention for its remarkable visual effects, particularly in Vikram's transformation, and the actor's dedication to his roles was widely praised.

About the author: Chandragupta is part human brain, part generative AI. The former provides intellect while the latter does the heavy lifting of an artificial neural network. The name, if you haven’t already worked it out, is a backronym of ChatGPT.