Big B-Sanju-Rana to step into Danny DeVito-Kevin Spacey-Russell Crowe shoes? : Bollywood News

Ever since Department has been announced, it has intrigued quite a few in the industry due to its cop setting. Since Ram Gopal Varma has explored this setting in films like Ab Tak Chappan as well as Company, many have wondered about what new he would have to say in his biggie that has Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Rana Daggubati in principal roles. As has turned out, this time around though, the core story is set in Mumbai, there are definite Hollywood influences to the film when it comes to telling a gritty cop tale.

"Unlike a Singham or a Dabangg which were quintessential Bollywood masala affairs, Department takes a different route. It is more in a L.A. Confidential mode. It had made a huge mark in the late 90s due to its unique narrative as well as the dark yet entertaining mode that it followed", says a source.

Another factor that made it extra special was a predominant male star cast comprising of senior actor like Danny DeVito along with like Kevin Spacey and Russell Crowe. Department too falls in a similar zone with Amitabh Bachchan playing a politician with Sanjay Dutt and Rana Daggubati as police officers.

"Yes, the film is in the genre of an all-male dramatic thriller and stays on to be in a zone similar to that of L.A. Confidential", says a member from the film's cast, "Ramu is keeping it all real and everyone has been instructed to be tight lipped about the actual plotline of the film."

Another line of influence is said to be Keanu Reeves and Forest Whitaker starrer Street Kings where former challenged the entire police system. The film also explored the politics within the department; something that Ramu is also expected to delve in with Department. On contacting however, Ramu denied the influences.