direct by govind nihalani and this be definite cop film of indian cinema . may be the first one which portray the stark reality of corruption in the police force and politics with no hold bar and how it effect on a young cop . a man force to join a career of a cop by his cop father . agree that we grow up watch lot of good cop or bad cop hindi film but this be different . today generation and which grow up watch dark and realistic film like satya and company may be consider it inferior product in comparison but look at the time of it making . the film be make absolutely off beat tone in the time when people do not pay much attention to such kind of cinema and yet it become a most sought after cop film in class and mass audience when it release . for om puri it first breakthrough in mainstream hindi cinema and he deliver a class performance a inspector velankar . it more than cop character and he internalize a lot which be something original in act . watch his scene with his father whom he hat and smita whom he love . smita patil maintain the dignity of her character to the expect level . my god what a natural expression she carry . shafi inamdar be truly a discovery for me and he a brilliant character actor if give a chance and here in some of the scene he outsmart even om . the movie be also a debut of a promising villain on indian screen sadashiv amrapurkar a rama shetty . it another story that he do not get such a meaty role and almost forget today a one of the loud villain of dharmendra b grade action film . watch the scene where om 1st time become a rebel for his father ( play by amrish puri ) and next both be share wine together . how inner truth start reveal for both the character with confront feeling of love and hate for each other . two face of indian police force masculinity and impotency and in between lie half truth ( ardh satya ) kudos to nihalani touch . the film win 2 national award a best hindi feature film and best actor om puri and 3 filmfare award in best film and best director and best support actor category . recommend to all who be interested in nostalgia of serious hindi film . rating positive .