Shool turns 25: From Manoj Bajpayee's iconic fight against corruption to Shilpa Shetty's Main Aayi Hoon U.P. Bihar Lootne, look back at the groundbreaking film

Remember Shilpa Shetty's iconic dance number, Main Aayi Hoon U. P. Bihar Lootne? It's been 25 years since the actor showcased her iconic dance moves, which continue to make people groove. Indeed, the 1999 release of Shool marks a significant milestone, and the film surpasses the song's cult status. Ram Gopal Varma produces and writes the action-crime drama film, which Eeshwar Nivas directs. None other than Anurag Kashyap wrote the dialogue for the movie.

Shool overview

Shool depicts the consequences for an upright police officer as a result of the criminalisation of politics in Bihar and the relationship between politicians and criminals. Inspector Samar Pratap Singh (Manoj Bajpayee) and criminal-politician Bachhu Yadav (Sayaji Shinde) are the main actors, while Raveena Tandon plays a pivotal role. Samar, a dedicated police officer, finds himself in a small village rife with moral decay and corruption. A corrupt politician, growing enamoured with him as he begins to clean things up, threatens him and his family.

ALSO READ: Nawazuddin Siddiqui says he was never paid the Rs 2500 acting fee promised for 1999 film Shool  

Accolades and recognition

The National Film Awards named Shool the best Hindi feature film that year. Festivalgoers saw the film at both the Toronto and Indian International Film Festivals. It continued to amass a devoted fan base as time passed.

Raveena previously claimed that RGV was hesitant to cast her in the film. She stated on Netflix's Actors' Roundtable that if one sees Shool, there's Bajpayee and her. Despite the actor's orange sindoor, she portrays Manjiri, a housewife from the lower middle class of Bihari. However, Varma was completely unconvinced. “No, yaar Raveena. I shut my eyes and I can only see you do Ankhiyon Se Goli Maare,” he firmly stated. Raveena pleaded with Ramu, saying, "Please, yaar!" However, seeing her as Manjiri was impossible for him.

Manoj Bajpayee's memories

Shool, in which Bajpayee portrayed a moral police officer fighting corruption in Bihar, would always hold a special place in his heart. The actor earlier told Bollywood Hungama that everyone on set worked together like a family. In a recollection, the actor shared that Ramu entrusted them—Anurag Kashyap, director E Niwas, and assistant director Taufeeq—to choose the location and shape of Shool according to their desires.

What Bajpayee remembered was the initial showing of Shool. Mohanlal and Mani Ratnam attended the RGV-organised screening, which left them in awe. The actor first met Mohanlal and Ratnam through the filmmaker. The praises they offered him stick out in his mind. 

However, Bajpayee found it challenging to break out of his role as police officer Samar Pratap Singh during the filming of Shool due to the rigorous preparation and prolonged immersion in character. The actor confessed that he had to consult a psychiatrist in order to break character.

The role had a devastating effect on Bajpayee, and he also mentioned that he was experiencing terrifying nightmares that were emotionally draining. Anger was always present in him, and he fears that Shool depleted him quite a bit. He had to let go of the anger he felt for a long time.

In the end, though, Bajpayee felt like it was all worthwhile. If he had to choose between Shool, Satya, or Kaun, he would say this is it. The actor expressed his gratitude to RGV, who he said had "handed" him the role.

Streaming availability

Shool is available for streaming on OTT platforms such as Prime Video, Disney+ Hotstar, and ShemarooMe (OTTplay Premium).

ALSO READ: Padma Shri awardee Raveena Tandon: You will see me in a lot of films and OTT shows in the coming days