[go: up one dir, main page]

    Release calendarTop 250 moviesMost popular moviesBrowse movies by genreTop box officeShowtimes & ticketsMovie newsIndia movie spotlight
    What's on TV & streamingTop 250 TV showsMost popular TV showsBrowse TV shows by genreTV news
    What to watchLatest trailersIMDb OriginalsIMDb PicksIMDb SpotlightFamily entertainment guideIMDb Podcasts
    EmmysSuperheroes GuideSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideBest Of 2025 So FarDisability Pride MonthSTARmeter AwardsAwards CentralFestival CentralAll events
    Born todayMost popular celebsCelebrity news
    Help centerContributor zonePolls
For industry professionals
  • Language
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Watchlist
Sign in
  • Fully supported
  • English (United States)
    Partially supported
  • Français (Canada)
  • Français (France)
  • Deutsch (Deutschland)
  • हिंदी (भारत)
  • Italiano (Italia)
  • Português (Brasil)
  • Español (España)
  • Español (México)
Use app
  • Cast & crew
  • User reviews
  • Trivia
  • FAQ
IMDbPro

Nayakan

  • 1987
  • 16
  • 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
    • 13Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Awards
      • 7 wins & 1 nomination total

    Videos1

    Nayakan trailer
    Trailer 1:29
    Nayakan trailer

    Photos100

    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    View Poster
    + 93
    View Poster

    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

    8.626.6K
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10

    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

    10chennaimarina_12

    classic....... by Mr. Mani ratnam

    this film is an out an out kamal hassan and Mani ratnam film, without Mani ratnam kamal would not have been able to display his magic, and without kamal, Mani would not have been able to show his magic. velu is a boy living in Tamil nadu. his father a labor leader is murdered by a ruthless police officer. velu decides to take revenge, and is supported by his friend, Sela(janagaraj). they both kill the police officer, and escape to Bombay, where they get shelter in a Muslim house hold. kamal naturally treats "Abba" the Muslim man, who is into smuggling. when he gets old he hands the small business to velu, who extracts more money for goods than his precede ever did. the rival parties get angry and pay bribe to a police man to get Abba killed. when velu gets to know this, he tracks down the police officer tactically. i must stop here to mention the marvellous sequence . great background score, Mani ratnam at his best, and kamal looking totally angry. he kills the police officer in front of everybody. the police officer though married used to molest women. the police came inquiring, but no one opened their mouth. from that day onwards velu became 'velu nayagan'. he became the ultimate don in Bombay, supporting the poor's cause, and going to any extent to fulfill it. he even got a poor child treatment in one of the best hospitals in Bombay for free. you must watch the movie, i can't spell its magic here, you have to watch it!
    AvinashPatalay

    Mani Ratnam & Kamal Hassan create history with this masterpiece

    "Nayagan" is akin to a rare astronomical event wherein the constellations form a perfect alignment to create a spectacular extravaganza. Mani Ratnam, Kamal Hassan & Ilayaraja weaved magic that captured the heart of audience by storm.

    There cannot be a second opinion if I were to state that this role was destined for one and only Kamal Hassan. You cannot fail to notice the subtle changes in the body language, mannerism, gait and dialogue delivery that go about with the ageing process of the Sakthivelu. Starting with the rebel youth and all the way to the ageing Godfather, the natural transformation was effortlessly essayed by Kamal. Saranya, Ravi, Kartika, Nasser and Tinnu Anand leave a mark otherwise there isn't much scope for supporting star-cast.

    Ilayaraja compositions were a raging hit back then. P C Sriram (cinematography) & Thota Tharani (art direction) ensured to give a distinct Mani Ratnam feel to the visuals (a spillover of "Agni Natchathiram").

    Though the plot rests on the basic premise of Mario Puzo's "The Godfather", top notch writing narrating the biography of Mumbai based Tamil gangster of the 80s, Varadarajan Mudaliar stands to its own.

    If "Mouna Ragam" and "Agni Natchathiram" got him noticed then "Nayagan" stamped the title of maverick to Mani Ratnam. It goes without saying that while "Nayagan" set a precedent for fellow film-makers, Mani Ratnam started the revolution in the Tamil cinema.

    PS: The Hindi remake, "Dayavan" attempted by Feroz Khan and Vinod Khanna was sadly a classic case of "lost in translation".
    10pvsk

    One of all time greats

    One of the movies where the star cast have lived the roles not just performed , well supported by Editing, Cinematography and background score . A must see. KamalHasan has given really a masterly performance for which he got the national award rightly.
    10karthikvselvaraj

    Truly inspired and inspirational!!!

    Inspired by the true life story of Mumbai's Tamil don, Varadaraja Mudaliar, the movie 'Nayakan' portrays it so vividly and realistically of how the real-time character known popularly as 'Varadha Bhai' fled Tuticorin(Tamil Nadu) to seek his future in Mumbai. He came to be known as one of the godfathers of modern gangsterdom. Some other prominent names during his period were Karim Lala, etc. The days he spent fighting Shiv Sena leader Bal Thackeray who tried to run the Tamils out of Mumbai are golden days in history. Probably, the respect and influence Varadaraj Mudaliar had among the public inspired people like Dawood Ibrahim and others to take to such businesses. Mani Ratnam deserves full credit for the subject and screenplay. Kamal Hassan at the best of his career at an age of 32 playing the character of a 60-year-old man so perfectly with utmost ease.
    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.

    More like this

    Anbe Sivam
    8.6
    Anbe Sivam
    Thalapathi
    8.5
    Thalapathi
    Thevar Magan
    8.7
    Thevar Magan
    Pariyerum Perumal
    8.6
    Pariyerum Perumal
    Virumandi
    8.4
    Virumandi
    Thani Oruvan
    8.4
    Thani Oruvan
    Papanasam
    8.4
    Papanasam
    Soorarai Pottru
    8.6
    Soorarai Pottru
    Gol Maal
    8.5
    Gol Maal
    Interrogation
    8.4
    Interrogation
    Mouna Ragam
    8.4
    Mouna Ragam
    Anniyan
    8.3
    Anniyan

    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

    Top picks

    Sign in to rate and Watchlist for personalized recommendations
    Sign in

    FAQ15

    • How long is Nayakan?Powered by Alexa

    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
      2 hours 25 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    Nayakan (1987)
    Top Gap
    What is the Spanish language plot outline for Nayakan (1987)?
    Answer
    • See more gaps
    • Learn more about contributing
    Edit page

    More to explore

    Recently viewed

    Please enable browser cookies to use this feature. Learn more.
    Get the IMDb App
    Sign in for more accessSign in for more access
    Follow IMDb on social
    Get the IMDb App
    For Android and iOS
    Get the IMDb App
    • Help
    • Site Index
    • IMDbPro
    • Box Office Mojo
    • License IMDb Data
    • Press Room
    • Advertising
    • Jobs
    • Conditions of Use
    • Privacy Policy
    • Your Ads Privacy Choices
    IMDb, an Amazon company

    © 1990-2025 by IMDb.com, Inc.