[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
    OscarsEmmysSan Diego Comic-ConSummer Watch GuideToronto Int'l Film FestivalIMDb Stars to WatchSTARmeter 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

    8.626.8K
    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

    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.
    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!
    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.
    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 . . . . . . . . . .
    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.

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

    Contribute to this page

    Suggest an edit or add missing content
    • 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.