[4][5] The film is regarded as one of the earliest Indian productions to adopt the James Bond-style spy thriller genre.

[6] Rajkumar's portrayal of CID 999 made him one of the first Indian actors to take on a character inspired by James Bond in a leading role.

[11] Critics have praised the film for its engaging plot and effective suspense, which have been noted to hold their appeal even decades after its release.

[13][5] Prakash, code-named CID 999, is assigned the mission of preventing a formula that can turn any metal into gold from falling into the hands of criminals.

[14][15] The film is considered a game-changer in Rajkumar's career[13] and is credited with bringing a significant shift in Kannada cinema.