Anup Soni on Gangaajal's lock-up scene: 'Shot on steadicam in a single take'
Synopsis
Anup Soni's Friday Flashback post on Instagram has reignited interest in Gangaajal's most visceral moment — a lock-up scene filmed on a steadicam in one unbroken take. More than 20 years on, the 2003 Prakash Jha film's raw, single-shot craft is still drawing admiration, a testament to an era when restraint and technique did the storytelling.
Key Takeaways
Anup Soni shared a Friday Flashback post on Instagram recalling the making of Gangaajal ( 2003 ).
The iconic lock-up sequence was shot on a steadicam in a single take , according to Soni.
Soni played Inspector Neelkanth Tiwari in the Prakash Jha -directed film.
The film stars Ajay Devgn as SP Amit Kumar , set against organised crime in the fictitious district of Tejpur, Bihar .
Soni has worked across television and film, with credits including Crime Patrol and a cameo in The Great Shamsuddin Family .
Actor Anup Soni, who portrayed Inspector Neelkanth Tiwari in the 2003 cult crime drama Gangaajal, has revisited one of the film's most gripping sequences, revealing that the iconic lock-up scene was captured on a steadicam in a single, uninterrupted take. Soni shared the clip on Instagram as part of a Friday Flashback post, offering fans a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the making of the Prakash Jha-directed classic.
What Anup Soni Said
In his Instagram caption, Soni described the experience as 'one of the most intense scenes I have shot.' He credited director Prakash Jha for the film's unflinching approach, writing that Gangaajal 'explored power, politics and the blurred line between justice and revenge with rare realism.'
On the technical execution of the lock-up sequence, Soni wrote: 'This particular lock-up sequence was shot on steadicam in a single take, raw, tense and full of nervous energy. Moments like these remind you why some films stay with people for years.'
The Film and Its Cast
Gangaajal: The Holy Weapon features Ajay Devgn in the lead role of Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar, who is posted to the fictitious crime-ridden district of Tejpur, Bihar. The film's narrative centres on the district's residents resorting to pouring acid into the eyes of criminals as a form of extrajudicial justice, against the backdrop of organised crime controlled by dons Sadhu Yadav and Sunder Yadav.
Soni expressed gratitude for sharing screen space with Gracy Singh, Yashpal Sharma, Mukesh Tiwari, Chetan Pandit, Mohan Joshi, Ayub Khan, Akhilender Mishra, and Mohan Agashe, calling it a 'wonderful experience.'
Anup Soni's Career Arc
Soni began his career in television with serials including Sea Hawks and Saaya before transitioning to cinema. His 2003 film slate included Kharaashein: Scars From Riots, Hum Pyar Tumhi Se Kar Baithe, and Hathyar, alongside Gangaajal. He later appeared in Ashoke Pandit's Sheen (2004) before returning to television for CID: Special Bureau and the long-running Crime Patrol.
More recently, Soni made a cameo in The Great Shamsuddin Family, directed by Anusha Rizvi, which features an ensemble cast including Kritika Kamra, Shreya Dhanwanthary, Sheeba Chaddha, Farida Jalal, and Purab Kohli.
Why Gangaajal Endures
More than two decades after its release, Gangaajal retains its reputation as one of Hindi cinema's most uncompromising portrayals of systemic corruption and vigilante justice. The film's raw, documentary-style aesthetic — exemplified by single-take sequences like the one Soni highlighted — set it apart from mainstream Bollywood productions of its era. Notably, the steadicam technique used in the lock-up scene demanded exceptional preparation from the entire cast, making Soni's recollection a reminder of the craft behind the film's lasting impact.
Point of View
And Gangaajal's enduring cult status suggests it paid off. What is telling is that, over two decades later, it is the craft — not the star power — that Soni leads with. At a time when VFX and multi-cam coverage dominate set culture, this kind of throwback carries an implicit critique of how mainstream Hindi cinema is made today.
NationPress
2 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Anup Soni reveal about the Gangaajal lock-up scene?
Anup Soni revealed that the lock-up sequence in Gangaajal was filmed on a steadicam in a single, uninterrupted take, describing it as 'raw, tense and full of nervous energy.' He shared the scene on Instagram as part of a Friday Flashback post.
Who directed Gangaajal and when was it released?
Gangaajal was directed by Prakash Jha and released in 2003. The film starred Ajay Devgn as Superintendent of Police Amit Kumar and is widely regarded as a cult classic of Hindi cinema.
What role did Anup Soni play in Gangaajal?
Anup Soni played Inspector Neelkanth Tiwari in Gangaajal. He appeared alongside Ajay Devgn, Gracy Singh, Yashpal Sharma, Mukesh Tiwari, and several other prominent character actors.
What is Gangaajal about?
Gangaajal follows SP Amit Kumar, who is posted to the fictitious crime-ridden district of Tejpur, Bihar. The story explores extrajudicial justice after residents begin pouring acid into the eyes of criminals, set against a backdrop of organised crime and systemic corruption.
What other work is Anup Soni known for?
Beyond Gangaajal, Anup Soni is widely known for hosting Crime Patrol on television. He has also appeared in films such as Hathyar (2003) and Sheen (2004), and made a cameo in The Great Shamsuddin Family directed by Anusha Rizvi.
