The film paved the way for future "grey character" films in Bollywood, such as Darr , Baazigar , and eventually the modern gangster epics like Gangs of Wasseypur . It proved that audiences were mature enough to handle a protagonist who wasn't morally perfect.
As the straight-laced, righteous hero, Jackie provides the necessary moral anchor. His dialogue, “Main Balwan nahi, Ram hoon” (I am not strong, I am Ram), was a clever nod to his earlier hit Ram Lakhan . He represents the law, even when the law is blind to the nuances of human suffering. Khalnayak Movie Hindi
The media frenzy was intense. There were debates about whether the film should be banned or if Dutt’s scenes should be cut. However, Ghai stood by his actor. The controversy fueled public curiosity, and when the film finally hit theaters, it opened to packed houses. It became the second highest-grossing Hindi film of 1993 and was declared a "Super Hit." The film paved the way for future "grey