Shootout at Lokhandwala is a 2007 Indian Hindi-language action thriller film directed by Apoorva Lakhia and produced by Sanjay Gupta and Ekta Kapoor under Balaji Motion Pictures and White Feather Films. Based on the 1991 Lokhandwala Complex shootout, it stars an ensemble cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty, Arbaaz Khan, Vivek Oberoi, Abhishek Bachchan, Tusshar Kapoor, and Rohit Roy.
Overview
The film is inspired by the 16 November 1991 Lokhandwala Complex shootout, in which ATS chief Aftab Ahmed Khan led a police operation against gangster Maya Dolas and his associates. Several characters are based on real-life individuals but are portrayed under slightly altered names. The opening caption states that the film is "based on true rumours", reflecting its dramatized interpretation of the events.
Plot Former Chief Justice Dhingra interviews members of the Bombay Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), led by Additional Commissioner of Police Shamsher S. Khan, ahead of an inquiry into their conduct during the 1991 Lokhandwala shootout. Khan recounts the formation of the ATS, modeled on the Los Angeles Police Department's SWAT units, and its operations against militants and organized crime in Bombay.
The ATS turns its attention to Maya, an ambitious lieutenant of the Dubai-based gangster Dawood Ibrahim who seeks to establish control over Bombay's underworld. After a police informant links Maya's gang to a series of murders, the ATS launches a manhunt. Maya retaliates by targeting the informant's family and resists repeated attempts by the police to secure his surrender through intimidation and bribery.
Maya further escalates the conflict by kidnapping the son of a prominent builder who refuses to recognize his authority. Acting on information from an informant, Khan learns that Maya and his associates are hiding in a flat in the Swati Building at Lokhandwala Complex in Andheri. In November 1991, the ATS surrounds the building with a large police force. During the ensuing gun battle, Maya's gang attempts to escape and seeks assistance from associates in Dubai and corrupt officials, but their efforts fail. Maya and all of his associates are killed in the encounter.
In the present, Dhingra argues before the inquiry that the ATS's actions were justified in combating organized crime. Khan and his officers are subsequently exonerated.
Cast
Amitabh Bachchan as Dhingra, former Chief Justice Sanjay Dutt as ACP Shamsher Khan, Head of Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) (based on Aftab Ahmed Khan) Suniel Shetty as Inspector Kaviraj Patil, Shamsher's subordinate Arbaaz Khan as Head Constable Javed Sheikh, Shamsher's subordinate Vivek Oberoi as Maya Dolas Tusshar Kapoor as Dilip Buwa, member of Maya's gang Rohit Roy as Fatim "Fattu", member of Maya's gang Shabir Ahluwalia as RC, member of Maya's gang Abhishek Bachchan as Sub-Inspector Abhishek Mhatre (special appearance) Dia Mirza as Meeta Mattoo, a journalist Amrita Singh as Ratnaprabha Dolas, Maya's mother Neha Dhupia as Rohini, Shamsher's wife Aditya Lakhia as Doubling, member of Maya's gang Ravi Gosain as Aslam Kasai, member of Maya's gang Aarti Chabria as Tarranum Aftab Ahmed Khan as Commissioner Krishnamoorthy Akhilendra Mishra as JCP Tripathi Daya Shankar Pandey as Gotiya Shrivallabh Vyas as Wadhwani (based on Gopal Rajwani) Rakhi Sawant as an actress being interviewed
Production Several scenes were shot on location at the Lokhandwala Complex in Mumbai.
Controversy The film attracted controversy over its fictionalised depiction of the 1991 shootout. Several Sikh organisations demanded a ban on the film, alleging that it portrayed Sikhs as terrorists and tarnished the image of the community. The organisations also appealed to Sikhs across the country to oppose the film.
Soundtrack The soundtrack was composed by Anand Raaj Anand, Strings, Mika Singh, Biddu, and Euphoria.
Awards and nominations
53rd Filmfare Awards
Nomination: Best Villain – Vivek Oberoi
9th IIFA Awards Won: Best Villain – Vivek Oberoi Won: Best Action – Javed Sheikh and Ejaz
2008 Star Screen Awards Nomination: Star Screen Award for Best Villain – Vivek Oberoi
2008 Zee Cine Awards Nomination: Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role – Vivek Oberoi
Stardust Awards Nomination: Stardust Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role – Vivek Oberoi Won: Stardust Standout Performance of the Year - Vivek Oberoi Nomination: Stardust Award for Best Music Director – Mika Singh Nomination: Stardust Award for Best Playback Singer – Mika Singh
AXN Action Awards Won: Best Action film – White Feather Films Won: Best Action Actor – Sanjay Dutt Won: Best Action Actor in a Negative Role – Vivek Oberoi Won: Best Action Sequence – Javed Sheikh and Ejaz
Prequel
Director Sanjay Gupta confirmed a sequel to the film. In early 2012, it was announced that the prequel Shootout at Wadala would star John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, Tusshar Kapoor, Manoj Bajpayee, and Sonu Sood.
See also Maya Dolas Dawood Ibrahim Aftab Ahmed Khan
References
External links