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Nayakan

  • 1987
  • Not Rated
  • 2h 25m
IMDb RATING
8.6/10
27K
YOUR RATING
Nayakan (1987)
A common man's struggles against a corrupt police force put him on the wrong side of the law. He becomes a don, who is loved and respected by many, but his growing power and influence exact a heavy toll.
Play trailer1:29
1 Video
99+ Photos
EpicGangsterTragedyCrimeDrama

A common man's struggles against a corrupt police force put him on the wrong side of the law. He becomes a don, who is loved and respected by many, but his growing power and influence exact ... Read allA common man's struggles against a corrupt police force put him on the wrong side of the law. He becomes a don, who is loved and respected by many, but his growing power and influence exact a heavy toll.A common man's struggles against a corrupt police force put him on the wrong side of the law. He becomes a don, who is loved and respected by many, but his growing power and influence exact a heavy toll.

  • Director
    • Mani Ratnam
  • Writers
    • Balakumaran
    • Rajasri
    • Mani Ratnam
  • Stars
    • Kamal Haasan
    • Saranya Ponvannan
    • Delhi Ganesh
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    8.6/10
    27K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Mani Ratnam
    • Writers
      • Balakumaran
      • Rajasri
      • Mani Ratnam
    • Stars
      • Kamal Haasan
      • Saranya Ponvannan
      • Delhi Ganesh
    • 239User reviews
    • 14Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Nayakan trailer
    Trailer 1:29
    Nayakan trailer

    Photos100

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    Top cast11

    Edit
    Kamal Haasan
    Kamal Haasan
    • Velu Naicker (Sakthivelu)
    Saranya Ponvannan
    Saranya Ponvannan
    • Neela
    • (as Saranya)
    Delhi Ganesh
    Delhi Ganesh
    • Iyer
    Janakaraj
    Janakaraj
    • Selva
    • (as Janagaraj)
    Karthika
    Karthika
    • Charumati
    Nassar
    Nassar
    • Assistant Commissioner Patil
    • (as Nasser)
    Tinnu Anand
    Tinnu Anand
    • Ajit Kelkar
    Nizhalgal Ravi
    Nizhalgal Ravi
    • Surya
    M.V. Vasudeva Rao
    • Hussain Bhai
    Aditya Modi
    • Sakthivel
    • (uncredited)
    Pradeep Shakti
    • Inspector Kelkar
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Mani Ratnam
    • Writers
      • Balakumaran
      • Rajasri
      • Mani Ratnam
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews239

    8.627K
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    Summary

    Reviewers say 'Nayakan' is a seminal work in Indian cinema, celebrated for its compelling narrative, stellar performances, and profound themes. Kamal Haasan's portrayal of Velu Naicker is widely praised for its depth and nuance. Mani Ratnam's direction and Ilaiyaraaja's music are highlighted for enhancing the film's emotional impact. The film's exploration of power, morality, and socio-economic disparities is noted for its relevance and universal appeal. Despite some criticisms regarding its pacing and certain cultural elements, 'Nayakan' is regarded as a timeless classic that continues to resonate with audiences.
    AI-generated from the text of user reviews

    Featured reviews

    10kr-aravind

    a maniratnam classic, ..brings out the tear drop in you.

    It is really difficult to express the experience of watching nayakan in words, the real life story about the transformation of a boy into a rebel and then a don, brilliantly portrayed by one of the greatest actors alive today, Kamal Hassan.

    While the film draws little inspiration from "The Godfather trilogy", the emotions and trauma associated with many events , along with ilayaraja's rendition of 'thenpandi seemayile' , really does make this movie very special!, nothing to beat this one, among the best movies i have ever seen. I can rate it along with American beauty, shawshank redemption or even amelie.
    9dvdfile

    The best middle-of-the-road Indian film

    Mani Ratnam rose to fame with this superb, Godfather-inspired, crime story. Kamal Hassan, in a National Award-winning role, is the highlight of this film. WAtch out for the scene where he says "Naa adichcha nee sethuruve (You will die if I hit you)" to a police officer. Based on a real-life don, Varadarajan Mudaliar, Nayagan was praised by critics and audience alike, a rarity in India. Illayaraja's music is haunting. "Tenpaandi Cheemayile", sung by Kamal Hassan, is a classic. Photography is brilliant. Mani Ratnam is top-of-the-pops. Sign of things to come? Janakaraj as the gangster's friend is an inspired selection. This is as good as it gets for bridge cinema.
    10s_ravi85

    this movie is worth watching and the hero's acting in this movie is too good.here is one Guy who can eat up all Hollywood stars easily if gets the opportunity

    This movie rotates around a single person, Kamal Hassan. Its simply an amazing movie and full credits to the director Mani Ratnam and Kamal for their brilliant, extraordinary, great, satisfying,superb work... No words to say. better u watch the movie

    in Nayakan all the characters have done an excellent work. Music by Ilayaraja the maestro himself and his works definitely needs recognition all over the world. Even now the songs are worth hearing and very very great.The camera man has done an beautiful work and full credits to him for bringing out an excellent picture to our eyes..

    The greatness of the movie is that it shows all the stages of men, and Kamal's acting shows his true potential and his exceeding talent, its a proud feeling for me to know that the hero is in tamil industry and speaking my language.

    Watch this movie and enjoy the movie as much as i did . . . . . . . . . .
    10ozzyrocks86

    KAMAL

    Kamal Hassan's extraordinary performance is the highlight of the film. This movie is perhaps the greatest gangster movie made in India, even though it is heavily inspired by the Al Pacino-starrer The Godfather. Kamal rightfully won the National Award for his performance. Great cast, great performances, solid direction from Mani Rathnam, great screenplay = one great movie. Highly recommended. A+.
    10siva_kumar

    One of the best Indian movies I have ever seen.

    The film draws heavily upon Mario Puzo's Godfather, however, the Indian adaptation of the well known story is simply superb. Manirathnam has done a wonderful job in re-creating the life and times of a local mafioso in the slums of Bombay. The art direction is flawless, and captures the time period perfectly. The music by Illayaraja is haunting, and reflects the nostalgic music of the early 70s. However, the high point of the movie is the excellent performance of Kamal Hassan. His potrayal of Velu-Nayakan is by far the best I have seen in Indian movies. The Hindi remake of this movie is sub-standard and poor. I highly recommend this movie to someone who has never seen it before.

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    Epic
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    Gangster
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    Tragedy
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    Crime
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    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      India's entry for the best foreign language film at the Oscars in 1987. Rated as one of the best 100 films of all time by the Time Magazine in 2005
    • Quotes

      Kid: Are you a good person or a bad person?

      Velunayakan: I don't know.

    • Connections
      Referenced in Onbadhule Guru (2013)
    • Soundtracks
      Nee Oru Kaadhal Sangeetham
      Written by: Pulamaipithan

      Produced by: Ilaiyaraaja

      Performed by: Mano and K.S. Chithra

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    FAQ15

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • October 21, 1987 (India)
    • Country of origin
      • India
    • Language
      • Tamil
    • Also known as
      • Velu Nayakan
    • Production companies
      • Muktha Films
      • Sujatha Film
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Box office

    Edit
    • Budget
      • ₹10,000,000 (estimated)
    See detailed box office info on IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 2h 25m(145 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

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