In Ram Gopal Varma's next film Department, while Amitabh Bachchan will play a gangster-turned politician, Naseeruddin Shah essays an underworld don. However, he will only be seen in bits and pieces throughout the film!
Ramu says, "Shah is playing Ibrahim, a don.
The uniqueness of the design of his character is such that you will never get to see him in total but only in parts like his hand, his foot, his fingers, his ear, his eye, his mouth, his shoulder, his head, his shadow."
He adds that though Shah won't be seen in his entirety, in effect one will know it's him from his voice and his demeanor.
"Right till the end the audience will never get to see him really." Department, touted as RGV's most expensive film, also stars Sanjay Dutt and Rana Duggabati.
Ramu inspired by Hollywood?
In Psycho (1960) directed by Alfred Hitchcock, the protagonist, Norman Bates (Perkins) plays a serial killer. He is seen in conversation with his mother only in silhouettes and shadows throughout the film.
Francis Ford Coppola's Apocalypse Now (1979) had Colonel Walter (Marlon Brando) always shot in shadow throughout the film. His face was not seen till almost the end.