Nayakan
Updated: 12/20/2025, 11:31:55 AM Wikipedia source
Nayakan ( transl. Hero) is a 1987 Indian Tamil-language epic crime drama film written and directed by Mani Ratnam. Produced by Muktha Srinivasan, the film stars Kamal Haasan and Saranya (in her feature debut) in the lead, with Janagaraj, Karthika, Vijayan, M. V. Vasudeva Rao, Delhi Ganesh, Nizhalgal Ravi, Nassar and Tara in supporting roles. It revolves around the evolution of Velu Naicker (Haasan) from an ordinary slum dweller to a highly respected crime lord in the Bombay underworld. Nayakan is loosely based on the life of the Bombay underworld don Varadarajan Mudaliar and the American film The Godfather (1972). Ratnam was initially approached to remake the Hindi film Pagla Kahin Ka (1970) for Srinivasan and Haasan, but refused. He instead suggested two other stories, one of which impressed Haasan and became Nayakan. Cinematography was handled by P. C. Sreeram, and editing by B. Lenin and V. T. Vijayan. Filming began in late 1986, taking place primarily in Madras and to a lesser extent, Bombay. Nayakan was released on 21 October 1987, Diwali day. The film became a critical and commercial success, running for over 175 days in theatres. It won the National Film Awards for Best Actor in a Leading Role (Haasan), Best Cinematography (Sreeram) and Best Art Direction (Thota Tharani). Nayakan was India's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 60th Academy Awards, but it was not nominated. It was included in Time's list of the "All-Time 100 Best Films" and News18's "100 greatest Indian films of all time". The film was remade in Hindi as Dayavan (1988).
Infobox
Directed by
Mani Ratnam
Written by
Mani Ratnam
Dialogue by
Balakumaran
Produced by
Muktha SrinivasanMuktha V. RamaswamyG. Venkateswaran
Starring
Kamal HaasanSaranya
Cinematography
P. C. Sreeram
Edited by
B. LeninV. T. Vijayan
Music by
Ilaiyaraaja
Productioncompany
Muktha Films
Distributed by
GV Films
Release date
mw- 21 October 1987 (1987-10-21)
Running time
155 minutes
Country
India
Language
Tamil
Budget
₹1 crore
Tables
· Accolades
35th National Film Awards
35th National Film Awards
Award
35th National Film Awards
Category
Best Actor
Recipients
Kamal Haasan
Result
Won
Best Cinematography
Best Cinematography
Award
Best Cinematography
Category
P. C. Sreeram
Recipients
Won
Best Art Direction
Best Art Direction
Award
Best Art Direction
Category
Thota Tharani
Recipients
Won
8th Cinema Express Awards
8th Cinema Express Awards
Award
8th Cinema Express Awards
Category
Best Film – Tamil
Recipients
Nayakan
Result
Won
Best Actor – Tamil
Best Actor – Tamil
Award
Best Actor – Tamil
Category
Kamal Haasan
Recipients
Won
Best Director – Tamil
Best Director – Tamil
Award
Best Director – Tamil
Category
Mani Ratnam
Recipients
Won
| Award | Category | Recipients | Result | Ref. |
| 35th National Film Awards | Best Actor | Kamal Haasan | Won | |
| Best Cinematography | P. C. Sreeram | Won | ||
| Best Art Direction | Thota Tharani | Won | ||
| 8th Cinema Express Awards | Best Film – Tamil | Nayakan | Won | |
| Best Actor – Tamil | Kamal Haasan | Won | ||
| Best Director – Tamil | Mani Ratnam | Won |
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