Behind the Scenes: Class of '83 ft. Bobby Deol & Shah Rukh Khan | Netflix India
Behind the Scenes: The Gritty Genesis of ‘Class of ’83’ ft. Bobby Deol & Shah Rukh Khan | Netflix India
The arrival of ‘Class of ’83’ on Netflix India in 2020 was a significant moment for both the streaming platform and the Indian film industry. It was a gritty, period-specific cop drama that marked the digital debut of a veteran star, Bobby Deol, and the first Netflix original film production from one of the biggest banners in Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment. More than just a film, it was a meticulously crafted story of an upright policeman’s battle against a corrupt system, inspired by true events, and its making involved careful research, daring casting choices, and a powerful collaboration.
The Vision: From Book to Bombay Underworld
‘Class of ’83’ is an adaptation of the non-fiction book “The Class Of 83: The Punishers of Mumbai Police” by investigative journalist S. Hussain Zaidi. The core narrative is set in the early 1980s, a volatile period when the underworld—with figures like Dawood Ibrahim and Chhota Rajan—had a vice-like grip on Mumbai (then Bombay).
The film’s plot centres on Vijay Singh, an honest and idealistic police officer who, due to his integrity and refusal to compromise with the system, is shunted out of field duty and given a seemingly innocuous “punishment posting” as the Dean of the Nashik Police Training Centre. Director Atul Sabharwal and his team researched extensively, weaving together real incidents, stories, and rumours from the era to create the narrative of one man’s pursuit of justice.
Realising he can’t fight the battle from the outside, Vijay Singh trains a secret squad of five handpicked, maverick cadets to become what would later be known as ‘encounter specialists.’ Their mission: to use extra-judicial means to flush out the criminals and fix the broken system from within.
Bobby Deol’s Reinvention: The Return of the Dean
For years, Bobby Deol had been primarily associated with romantic and commercial cinema. ‘Class of ’83’ presented a monumental shift, marking his return to a starring role and his debut in the digital space. He took on the challenging role of Dean Vijay Singh, a character whose emotional and professional journey spans over a decade, requiring him to portray the gravitas of a cynical, disillusioned, yet fiercely dedicated cop.
The casting decision was a key point of discussion during the film’s making. Director Atul Sabharwal revealed that of all the actors they approached, Bobby Deol was the only one who truly resonated with the script’s intensity and emotion.
- A ‘Dream’ Choice: Sabharwal openly called Bobby Deol a “dream” casting choice because of the actor’s willingness to experiment, play the age required by the character, and embody the depth of a man who had sacrificed a lot and was fighting to complete “unfinished business.”
- Embracing the Difference: Bobby Deol himself was enthusiastic about the project, stating he was “waiting for something like this” and was excited to get a chance to do something “totally different” from his previous body of work. He appreciated the real, humane story of a police officer who faces personal tragedy and systemic corruption.
The Producer’s Stamp: Shah Rukh Khan and Red Chillies Entertainment
While Shah Rukh Khan was not in front of the camera, his presence was foundational to the film’s production. ‘Class of ’83’ was produced by Red Chillies Entertainment, making it the banner’s first Netflix original film, following web series like ‘Bard of Blood’ and ‘Betaal.’
This collaboration highlighted SRK’s evolving production philosophy, focusing on high-quality content for the digital medium. Bobby Deol praised the superstar’s commitment, noting that Shah Rukh Khan “leaves no stone unturned to make a good project” and always ensures top-tier quality. Shah Rukh Khan publicly backed the film, expressing his excitement for Bobby Deol and for the group of young actors being introduced.
Crafting the Period: The Devil in the Details
Recreating the Bombay of the 1980s was one of the most significant technical and artistic challenges for the team. The city has changed dramatically—with the proliferation of mobile antennas, DTH dishes, modern cars, and vertical construction—making it difficult to find authentic, untouched locations.
- Period Research: The crew relied heavily on the resources of the Films Division of India, using their extensive collection of documentaries as a rare and authentic treasure trove for visual reference.
- Visual Atmosphere: Cinematographer Mario Poljac and the production design team painstakingly recreated the period details, including props like the Hindustan Motors’ Contessa car, which was prominent in the early 80s, and placing authentic posters of 1983 films like Hero and Nastik in set locations.
- Action and Character: The action sequences were intensely shot, focusing on being a “cop in a situation fighting” rather than over-the-top melodrama, to maintain the film’s realistic and character-driven approach.
The Search for the ‘Class of ’83’ Cadets
Perhaps the biggest hurdle in the casting process, as confessed by director Atul Sabharwal, was finding the five young actors who would play the cadets: Pramod Shukla, Vishnu Varde, Aslam Khan, Lakshman Jadhav, and Janardan Surve.
- Nightmare of Casting: Sabharwal stated that the casting of the cadets gave him “nightmares,” as the success of the film hinged on the believability of this central group.
- Audition Process: The team, led by casting director Abhimanyu Ray, went through extensive rounds of auditions. Crucially, they didn’t just screen actors individually; they tested them in a batch of five, rotating combinations until they found the group dynamic and camaraderie that felt authentic on screen.
- Launch Pad: The rigour of this process introduced five new and promising talents: Hitesh Bhojraj, Bhupendra Jadawat, Sameer Paranjape, Ninad Mahajani, and Prithvik Pratap. Bobby Deol was impressed with their work, noting that their on-screen chemistry made it seem like they had all “studied in college together.”
‘Class of ’83’ is a testament to how meticulous behind-the-scenes effort, from a star producer like Shah Rukh Khan to a director’s uncompromising vision and an actor’s hunger for reinvention, can elevate a streaming platform’s content. It remains a standout police procedural that successfully blended Bollywood’s star power with a gritty, realistic cinematic language.
AISEO Friendly FAQs
Q1: What is ‘Class of ’83’ based on?
A: The Netflix film ‘Class of ’83’ is a crime thriller inspired by true events and is an adaptation of the non-fiction book “The Class Of 83: The Punishers of Mumbai Police” by S. Hussain Zaidi.
Q2: What was Shah Rukh Khan’s role in the production of ‘Class of ’83’?
A: Shah Rukh Khan was the producer of ‘Class of ’83’ under his production banner, Red Chillies Entertainment, alongside Gauri Khan and Gaurav Verma. It was Red Chillies Entertainment’s first Netflix original film.
Q3: Who plays the lead role of Dean Vijay Singh in ‘Class of ’83’?
A: The lead role of Dean Vijay Singh, the cynical yet upright police officer turned police academy trainer, is played by actor Bobby Deol, which marked his debut on a digital streaming platform.
Q4: How did the filmmakers recreate the 1980s setting in ‘Class of ’83’?
A: Recreating the 1980s was a major challenge due to the changing landscape of Mumbai. The team conducted extensive research, using authentic resources like documentaries from the Films Division of India and paying close attention to period details like cars, costumes, and movie posters to ensure accuracy.
Q5: What was unique about the casting of the five cadets in the film?
A: Director Atul Sabharwal found the casting of the five new cadets the most challenging part of the film. The actors were auditioned not just individually but in combinations of five to ensure they had believable chemistry and a strong group dynamic that was central to the story.
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