The film is raw, gritty, and hyper-stylized—infused with dark humor, pulsating electronic scores (by Prashant Pillai and Rajiv Menon), and frenetic editing. Nambiar draws from Quentin Tarantino and Guy Ritchie’s energy while rooting the story in Mumbai’s seedy underbelly. The nonlinear narrative and shocking violence earned it an “A” certificate.
Directed by Bejoy Nambiar and produced by Anurag Kashyap, this film is considered a defining moment in the "new wave" of Bollywood.
The title "Shaitan" refers to the Islamic concept of Satan or the devil, who is seen as a tempter and a symbol of evil. In the context of the film, the title represents the darker aspects of human nature, which are unleashed when individuals are faced with difficult choices and circumstances.
Upon its release on 10 June 2011, Shaitan received generally , with many praising its direction, soundtrack, and the ensemble performances.