Shootout at Lokhandwala

Plot synopsis:
The film opens with shots of brooms and dustpans cleaning dried blood and cartridge casings in and around Swati building at the Lokhandwala Complex. TVN reporter Meeta Matu (Diya Mirza) reports that some 3000 rounds of ammunition were discharged by a large police squad at a previously peaceful residential area.
The film moves to the offices of former chief justice turned private prosecutor Dhingra (Amitabh Bachchan) where he interviews the three leading members of the Mumbai Encounter Squad: Additional Commissioner of Police Shamsher S. Khan (Addl.CP S.S. Khan) (referring to A. A. Khan, played by Sanjay Dutt), Inspector Kaviraj Patil (Sunil Shetty) and Police constable Javed Sheikh (Arbaaz Khan). The main film timeline is the extended interview of the three officers by Dhingra; as the officers answer Dhingra's questions, the film flashes back to show the incidents.
Dhingra asks about the Encounter Squad. Khan explains that he hand-picked 27 of Mumbai police's best enlisted men and officers. He borrowed the concept from the LAPD SWAT (Special Weapons And Tactics) team to help combat crime. The film flashes back to show Khan selecting his men and putting them through intensive physical and mental training to be "fast, efficient and deadly." Dhingra is hardly impressed: He points out that if Khan "shoots to kill" he is no different from the gangsters he seeks to destroy.
Dhingra asks why Khan felt he had do this. Khan explains that following Operation Blue Star in 1984, several Sikh terrorists fled to Mumbai and began establishing a base in the city. They engaged in violence, extortion and other subversive tactics to grow their operations. The film flashes back to show Sub Inspector Mhatre, a very brave officer and disciple of Khan, pursuing and subsequently getting shot down by a group of Sikh terrorists. Khan is deeply frustrated when the Mumbai police, mired in internal bureaucracy and corruption, fail to act. He obtains clearance from the police commissioner Krishnamurthy (played by the real A. A. Khan) and sets out after the militants. Khan asks Meeta Matu (Diya Mirza) to cover the incident so as to deter future terrorists. True to Khan's words, he successfully "encounters" (it indicates summarily gunning down criminals; extrajudicial killings is the term accepted internationally) the terrorists who shot PSI Mhatre. As per Aftab Ahmed Khan the encounter with Khalistani Extremist was more dangerous and tough than Shootout at Lokhandwala.
The film segues into the life of Maya (referring to Mumbai gangster Mahindra Dolas though the film never mentions Dolas specifically; played by Vivek Oberoi). Maya is the second-in-command of the "big boss" in Dubai (a clear reference to Dawood Ibrahim though the film does not mention his name) and runs Dawood's criminal activities in Mumbai. Maya recruits Bhua (referring to Dilip Buwa, played by Tusshar Kapoor) after successfully hatching a plot to eliminate Bhua's old gang led by Ashok Joshi. At this point, Maya and Bhua are at the top of Mumbai's underworld, reporting directly to the big boss in Dubai.
Things heat up when Khan recognises, through his network of spies and informers, that Maya is responsible for several criminal and possibly terrorist activities. Around this time, Maya's ambitions, fuelled by his Aai's (Amrita Singh) insistence, grow to the point where he wishes to assert his independence from Dubai and take over Mumbai himself.
Khan's ATS now focuses on eliminating Maya and Bhua, and begins a dangerous cat-and-mouse game where neither side shows any overt aggression but tries to disable the adversary by tactical manoeuvre. Khan launches "visits" to the criminals' families to try to "persuade" them to counsel the criminals to surrender. In turn, Maya and his men return the "visit" by approaching the cops at social situations. Maya visits Khan at a restaurant where Khan is having dinner with his family. Maya quietly tells Khan: "This is between your men and mine. Leave the families out of it." Khan retorts: "I did this to give you an opportunity to come clean. But now it appears that any resolution hangs off the barrel of a gun."
Maya's rage intensifies when he gets thrown out by prominent city builder Wadhwani (based on real life builder and politician Gopal Rajwani, owner of the building that the movie was set in). Maya had demanded 4 million protection money; Wadhwani claimed to deal directly with Dubai. Maya kidnaps Wadhwani's snivelling, overweight kid. When Wadhwani complains, the big boss asks Maya to cut it out and return the child immediately. Maya quietly informs the boss that he has upped his demands and that he wants to reign supreme in Mumbai.
The film also explores the personal lives of the protagonists. Khan's wife Rohini (Neha Dhupia) is unable to bear his constant neglect of his family life. She files for divorce. Patil's divorce is nearly upon him, too. In the enemy camp, Buwa has shacked up with a bar dancer Tanu (Aarti Chhabria) and is unable to spend any quality time with her. Fellow criminals Phatu (estranged from his parents) and RC (Shabbir Ahluwalia) (plagued by ghost-like visions of an innocent family he gunned down) have similar troubles.
It all comes to a head in November 1991. The five criminals including Maya and Buwa secure themselves, while holding Wadhwani's kid, in a flat at Swati building in Lokhandwala. Khan is tipped off of the location by an informant. (In Dhingra's questioning, Khan allegedly also received a call from the big boss in Dubai. Khan vehemently denies this.) Khan assembles a large squad of cops and lays siege to the location. He announces over the bullhorn that residents are advised to stay indoors and bolt their windows.
A long and devastating gun battle begins. The criminals launch rocket propelled grenades from their flat and try to escape. But they are overwhelmed by police fire, and all five criminals are eventually slain. The battle lays waste to the building: Film shots show the staircases, hallways and several civilian flats completely pulverised by gunfire. Reporter Meeta Matu covers the action live.
Up to this point, Dhingra has been negative and denigrating of Khan and his efforts with the ATS. He cites press reports and civilian complaints that condemn Khan (and the ATS) of unilateral and unwarranted excessive force in a residential locality. Charges are brought against Khan and the ATS. But when Dhingra rises to defend them as their appointed counsel, he, in a surprising twist, presents an unconventional argument as defence.
The film ends with Khan and the ATS being acquitted.

Tags: violence

Review:
Good movie Vivek Oberoi was too good as Maya Dollas ..All have done good job but end was predictable.
Sanjay Dutt as a cop was good .e Ganpat song was catchy from Mika ,end could have been better.i watched it at least 5 times now i have became fan of Vivek Oberoi.
award winning performance by him.Tushar Kapoor for the first time did a good job as a gangster (bhua).
The best scene of the movie when Fattu returns.small role of Abhishek Bachchan but he did great job too.
Amitabh Bachchan is always good.comparing with shootout at Wadala this movie was much better because of Vivek Oberoi.
Shootout at Lokhandwala goes with the tag line - based on true rumours - which is quite humorous to begin with.But the humour ends here, since the plot revolves around the ATS (Anti Terrorist Squad) of Mumbai Police, headed by Shamsher Khan (Sanjay Dutt) and his lieutenants Kaviraj (Sunil Shetty) and Javed Shaikh (Arbaaz Khan).
They prefer to put a bullet in their brain rather than get involved with paperwork that follows an arrest.Their nemesis comes with the name Maya Bhai (Vivek Oberoi) and his cohorts Buva (Tusshar Kapoor), RC (Shabbir Ahluwalia), Fattu (Ronit Roy), and 2 others who I am not familiar with.So you could guess the rest with cops v/s robbers battling each other.
Sanjay Dutt puts in an honest performance while Vivek Oberoi plays the bad guy well.
For those who liked gangster flicks like Satya and Company, should watch this one since it will definitely appeal.For the rest who prefer drama, romance and comedy, steer away since the gore might make you lose your appetite..
Sanjay Dutt the main lead of this film gives a good performance as the Police officer.
The star of this movie has to be Vivek Oberoi who has delivers a Superb performance an Maya the deadly gangster.
This is superb and highly recommended for gangster movie lovers Storyline is engaging screenplay is amusing editing is best direction leaves a impact Songs are blockbuster Sanjay dutt is amazing Vivek oberoi does a stellar performance as the main antagonist Tusshar is good arbaaz is superb Sunil steals the show Amitabh is superb abhishek is good in his guest appearance rohit does well other did excellent 8/10 This movie belongs to Vivek.
Directed by Apporva Lakhia, Shootout at Lokhandwala is another of those movies where the bad guys look good, and glorification of the villains are in bright limelight.
They should have done an Extended or Director's Uncut or Song Enhanced versions of DVDs. That way, people will still watch the movie and many will buy the DVDs, thus making more money for the film.On that fateful day of 1991, at one of the Mumbai's sprawling sub-urban place (Lokhandwala), 5 gangsters were relaxing and counting their extortion money.
Eventually, all the 5 gangsters were killed and few policemen were hurt.Vivek Oberoi in the role of Maya Dolas was frighteningly awesome.
And the others, I don't remember them to link to any typical characteristics.Seasoned Cop and counter terrorists specialist, Aftab Ahmed Khan (Sanjay Dutt) chased and encounter Khalistani extremists, handpicked cops Inspector Kaviraj Patil (Sunil Shetty) and Constable Javed Shaikh (Arbaaz Khan) to fight against the girth of many terrorists in Mumbai during his hay days.
The movies shows Khan and his trusted Anti Terrorists Squad (ATS) doing many daring encounters; so much involved in their activities that they jeopardise their personal and private life.Btw, the real Aftab Ahmed Khan appeared in a cameo in the movie, playing the role of S.
Shootout at Lokhandwala was so well written & directed and had riveting performances from a first-rate cast, every actor did a fantastic job even Amitabh & Abhishek Bachchan in their special appearances.
I never heard about the incident before and I don't know if it's true or not but the film is made so dark & sinister that gives the tensive mood also it is emotionally & psychologically thrilling, the whole movie is charged with pulse pounding suspense and seems like it's really happening.
A Sanjay Gupta film but the director is Apoorva Lakhia the one who made Ek Ajnabee which was also good that's why I wanted to watch the movie because both of them are terrific filmmakers and the title is eye catching.
Just a few more words about the cast:AMITABH BACHCHAN: Simply the number 1 in Bollywood.SANJAY DUTT: One of my favourite actors.SUNIEL SHETTY: No matter what role he doe's action or romantic it will suit him.ARBAAZ KHAN: Good actor but hardly appears in any film.VIVEIK OBEROI: Did really well as a bad guy after Company.TUSSHAR KAPOOR: Good to see him in action after so many romantic roles.DIA MIRZA: Soooooooooo beautiful that I don't need to say anything else about her.NEHA DHUPIA: Her best performance will always be in Qayamat.ABHISHEK BACHCHAN: Doing really well now keep up the good work..
Unlike other Sanjay Gupta films, i didn't think that this movie will be topnotch when compared to his previous films like Kaante (Brilliant), Musafir (Very Good), Zinda (Brilliant).
The reasons being: The theme of the film did not quite appeal to me, making me think that the story would be told in a complete different way compared to Sanjay Gupta's storytelling.
Hence, i still i was being optimistic because it is another Sanjay Gupta film, and has some of bollywood's prominent stars like Sanjay Dutt, Amitabh Bachchan and Suniel Shetty who act very well together in dark, violent films.Until Shootout At Lokhandwala was launched, i was totally unaware of the real life encounter that shook the nation in November 1991 in Mumbai.
Although i knew that the film is based on true rumours, i was expecting to see some real life incidents and some fictional that can be combined together to provide an entertaining edge-of-the-seat movie.A couple of reasons why i wanted to watch Shootout At Lokhandwala: 1.
I feel that Apoorva Lakhia and Sanjay Gupta have similar interests on the types of films they choose, i.e. dark, violent thrillers - and therefore both Sanjay and Apoorva will work together to produce a quality product.My response to Shootout At Lokhandwala is very positive, in fact i thought it was an excellent movie that can be ranked amongst Sanjay Gupta's previous topnotch products (Kaante, Musafir and Zinda).
Although Sanjay Gupta produced this film rather than directing it, you can tell that this movie is a Sanjay Gupta film because of it's dark, violent theme.Performance wise: Sanjay Dutt, as usual, is in complete form.
He is a guy that knows which films to sign for (especially the Sanjay Gupta ones) and acts to perfection.Vivek Oberoi is another actor to look out for.
To be honest Vivek Oberoi is better off doing serious/ gangster roles than romantic or comedy where he completely sucks.Suniel Shetty is brilliant in this movie, working as Sanjay Dutt's sidekick police officer.
The rest of the cast can be rated as: Amitabh Bachchan (Wonderful), Tusshar Kapoor (Very Good) - but he hasn't got the look of a gangster, someone else could have replaced him.
Arbaaz Khan (Very Good), Amrita Singh (Wonderful), Dia Mirza (Good), Aarti Chhabria (looks pretty and does an able job), Neha Dhupia (Fair).Overall, if you like Sanjay Gupta and Apoorva Lakhia films, this one is for you.
This film is also a must for Sanjay Dutt, Suniel Shetty and Vivek Oberoi fans..
Before watching this movie i made sure i checked out IMDb as to what the other users feel about this movie.I found most of them unsatisfied..but i was confident i would not be.And i went ahead with the movie....i still don't understand whats my final say on Shootout!!!!At some places it was really good like fattu returning back to the hideout(u know wen) and the scene at the restaurant b/w sanjay dutt and obroi.But some others were like Oh-my-god-gimme-a-break!!!
Has'not the slow walk shot been already shown numerous times,especially in Kaante???Then why use the same technique here,only god knows,or better the director knows.Another totally comic scene is when Buva says "teri maa ki"...i was on the floor clutching my tummy.Amitabh is pretty cool as the lawyer and so are vivek obroi & sanjay dutt!!!They keep this film from falling flat.And can someone explain why there is still 4-5 songs in movies like this??one or two songs are bearable.But the bhai's breaking into a jig then and there had me skipping the entire movie.The Verdict::: I gave 6 for Big B,Sanjai and Obroi alone..else it might have been 3 or 4!!!!.
Shoot to kill seems apt for a frequently used dialouge by Sanjay Dutt who appears absolutely stunning, specially to most women with that over masculine, overflowing testrostrone attitude of his and his typical walk with a swagger makes certain women feel week in the knees.Abhishek though has a smaller role..
but i guess the big guy does a good job even at that little role he had in the movie as well...He is the Big B...
Do not listen to these IMDb board members, they seriously despise Bollywood movies.Set in the 90s, the drama involving gangsters & Mumbai Police is a very fine watch and when it reaches the crescendo, the enjoyment triples.
Based on True events leading to the famous encounters at lokhandwala in 1991, Shootout at lokhandwala is a gritty, macho & very commercial portrayal of events that took place leading to the encounters.Sanjay Dutt plays ACP Shamsher Khan who was charged with working for Dawood Ebrahim, the movie lets you decide whether that indeed was the case, Sanju puts in a bravura performance, hes never been cooler.
Suneil shetty & arbaaz khan are both also first rate as sanjus sidekicks.The real weakness of the movie lies in the rest of the gangsters especially Tushar Kapoor, cmon no ones ever going to take him seriously as a Bhai?!
Shoot Out at Lokhandwala (2007)Director: Apoorva Lakhia Writers: Apoorva Lakhia Suresh NairShoot Out At Lokhandwala , directed by Apporva Lakhia , seems to be perfectly successful in :a) Casting big names in Bollywood Film Industry(Amitab &Abhishek, duo, Sunil Shetty, Sanjay Dutt, Neha Dhupia, Arbaz Khan, Tushar Kapoor, Vivek Oberio, Rohit Roy ..
IS ANY ONE STILL LEFT OUT in BOOLY WOOD after this???b) Violence show c) Shoot out and police firingUnfortunately what it missed out perhaps completely is a) Any story base b) Music c) Character roles d) Simple movie making common sense & Logic e) Justification of any role to anyoneIts up to the pity audience what they prefer to see at last???This film right from the beginning tries to project that entire story is based on some real fact, though its begin with the old Sikh Terrorism in Punjab, still the director completely missed out to carry the theme till the end.
Underworld kingpin Vivek Oberoi mom is so poor(even though her son makes so much money from Supari) that she was shown in ragged and she need to go all the way to a public booth to call her son???Amitabh was as usual over acted , and was really painful.
When Vivek Oberoi and Tushar Kapoor(Tussar was an absolute bogus selection for that role , he is too chocolate looking for that role!!) comes and threatens the colony peoples in one scene , then while going back they just for nothing , just like that shoots 2-3 innocent peoples , just for making some fear !!
no message no lesson, no scene, no justification, no truth, no music and sure NO LOGIC and worst direction.Please don't make movies like this, there are better job that can be done, and all you need is to THINK , of course using your BRAIN!!.
But then we have already seen him in such roles before in Company and Dum. Amitabh and Sanjay looked jaded and seemed to have sleep walked through the movie.
It's a fast gripping movie with brilliant performances.Both Sanjay Dutt and Vivek Oberoi slip into their roles perfectly as if they were born for it.Loved Sanjay's style.The last 30 to 40 minutes of the movie is the soul of the movie.
You find yourself in dilemma of with who your sympathies lie, good guys or bad guys, and for me that is well achieved result for the director.What I absolutely hated in the movie are songs, they are just boring with a capital B.
The movie just stumbles from one killing / one incident to another with item numbers (4 very boring tuneless songs) used in place of punctuation marks.There is no story in the first place  and whatever little is there is completely ruined by the directors choice of narrative style  which is flashbacks intermingled with the present day scenario.
Through 80% of the movie we follow the ATS chase an underworld gang led by Vivek Oberoi, who used to be a trusty lieutenant of you-know-who (he lives in Dubai, has a moustache and wears goggles all the time) but is now trying to establish his own gang.
And why did good actors (the Bachchan's, Sanjay baba, Suneil Shetty etc) agree to act in this movie.
The next comes the actors Sanjay Dutt and Vivek-Anand Oberoi.
The casting of the gangsters is as bad as the performance by established actors like Sanjay Dutt or Suniel Shetty.After watching classic gangster movies made by noted director like Ram Gopal Verma who has given a realistic touch to his movies like Company or Satya, Shootout at lokhandwala is clearly a disaster.
The story is based on so called true events that lead to a broad day light shootout in a residential area flat named Lokhandwala of Bombay; of underworld mafia by Bombay police lead by Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS).
The second half is more engaging with the actual shoot-out taking place in the last 40 minutes.The ATS squad is lead by Shamsher Khan (Sanjay Dutt) who selects several officers for the task (Suniel Shetty and Arbas Khan are the key two).
The character of Lawyer Dhingra is played by Amitabh Bachchan who cross examines the ATS squad (that leads to several flashbacks) and finally wins the case for them.As the movie is based on research the directors have tried to show all the sides of the story and the key one is of Shamsher Khan getting the tip off of the mafia hide out from Dawood or a local informer  both the events are shown for the audience to judge the truth.The movie is too loud and noisy with continuous action scenes, chases and gun-fire.
Vivek Oberoi is impressive as a rising gangster with Sanjay Dutt the police officer who's after him.
The action sequences, especially in the final moments of film are really good.Sanjay Dutt delivers a knock out performance yet again.
Sunil Shetty makes the film all the more fictitious; I personally have never seen a cop who looks, walks, dresses or behaves like him.
Just like Spielberg!After a couple of disaster movies like JUNG that he did with his all time buddy SANJAY DUTT, he finally came out with the tense thriller, ZINDA that was very much based on OLDBOY, a 2003 Korean film.
Countless innocent people lost their lives in these shootouts.Mumbai police, in those times, took some decisions and ATS  ANTI TERRORIST SQUADS were formed which killed more than 200 gangsters in the city in less than seven years.
The city of Mumbai lives in peace today, and majority of the population is supporting the police.It was during these times, when Mahindra Dolas, popularly known as 'Maya' became one of the most feared and wanted gangster, and whatever efforts the ATS took in killing him are portrayed in this film.
The director APURVA(APOORVA) LAKHIA has finally hit the mark after giving weak/flop films like 'Mumbai Se Aya Mera Dost' which was disaster on box office.
Above all it is the story, the director, SANJAY GUPTA'S touch and SANJAY DUTT'S presence in the movie that makes it worth watching.My heartily good wishes to MR.
Ik like movies of Vivek Oberoi.
In this movie, there is a war between police officers (Sanjay Dutt, Arbaaz Khan and Sunil Shetty) and underworld gang members (Vivek Oberoi, Tusshar Kapoor).
Amitabh Bachchan is the lawyer of the policemen, who made a shootout at Lokhandwala to get the gangsters.Sanjay Dutt is a magnificent actor.
In this movies Tusshar plays between the best actors of Bollywood, and even then it is not worth watching.Arbaaz Khan is not worth mentioning at all.
vivek and sunil throwing pistol and engaging in wrestling sort of fight instead of guns, arbaaz killing the guy with knife copied from Saving Private Ryan, and it goes on and on and on.......Direction : 2.5 out of 10 Acting : 4 out of 10 Overall : 1.5 out of 10Such a good and exciting topic was ruined by amateur director boasting only of star cast, nothing else, RGV would have done umpteen times better than this blindfolded !!!!
We begin by watching the ATS squad led Sanjay with Sunil Shetty and Arbaaz Khan being questioned by lawyer Big B and the events which followed.
We are introduced to Vivek and then Tusshar Kapoor who looks like a typical 'Gunda' in this film.
After watching 'Shootout' I left the movie hall wanting to hit myself for wasting money on this wannabe macho,wannabe tough,wannabe cop action/drama.
Sanjay Dutt is ACP in Mumbai police department who believes in rendering justice on-the-spot by 'encountering' criminals and gangsters.
Although the actors did a good job (Sanjay dutt, Vivek, Tushar were superb) but the director tried to hard.
The film is told from the perspective of the three main officers involved with the decision making on that now infamous day (characters played by Sanjay Dutt, Arbaaz Khan & Suneil Shetty) as they related their story to their lawyer (Amitabh Bachchan) who is about to defend them in court.Now onto the great performances starting with Vivek Oberoi.
Been waiting for a movie like this ever since company.The performances from all actors especially sanjay dutt and vivek oberoi were explosive.