Overview
- Released on January 26, 2006, the ensemble drama marks its 20th anniversary with retrospectives revisiting its themes and legacy.
- Lyricist-screenwriter Prasoon Joshi says the movie’s honesty helped it reignite youth activism, calling cinema the most powerful medium for self-examination.
- Actor Sharman Joshi hails it as a cult work Hindi cinema will remember, recalling a joyful shoot that connected across generations.
- Contemporary analysis frames the film as a caution against political apathy, highlighting how characters reflect disengagement shaped by rage, privilege, or fear.
- The film won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film, earned a BAFTA nomination, and was India’s official entry to the Oscars and Golden Globes after overcoming a temporary pre-release ban.