Nayakan - Are you a good man or a bad man?

Talking Talkies

Episode 4: Nayakan

Release Date: 1987

This episode features one of the ‘cult classics’ of Indian cinema from one of the largest regional film industries in the country - the Tamil Film industry called Kollywood - (based out of the Kodambakkam neighborhood in Chennai, Tamil Nadu).

Nayakan is a crime drama, written and directed by Mani Ratnam. Mani Ratnam today is heralded as one of the finest film directors in India. The film stars the great Kamal Haasan - one of the biggest superstars and finest actors in India, with support from Saranya (in her feature debut), Janagaraj, Delhi Ganesh, Nizhalgal Ravi, and Nassar. The story is loosely based on the life of the Bombay underworld Don Varadarajan Mudaliar and the American film The Godfather (1972). The movie became a critical and commercial success and won national awards for Kamal Haasan as best actor, PC Sreeram for best cinematography, and Thota Tharani for best art direction. It was India's official submission for the Best Foreign Language Film at the 60th Academy Awards, and was included in Time's list of the "All-Time 100 Best Films".

This is Benny’s all-time favorite movie. Minal watched this movie much later after its release as a teenager when regional films were telecast on the national channel on Sunday afternoons. 36 years down the line when they both sat down to discuss Nayakan - did they still stay in awe of this film and did it stand the test of time? Tune in to the episode to find out.

Synopsis:

A common man's struggle against a corrupt police force puts 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 come at a heavy price. Specifically, it is the story of Velu Naicker, who transforms from an ordinary slum dweller to a feared don, and how his actions impact his loved ones.

IMDB Link: Nayakan

Where to Watch: YouTube

Articles/Interviews:

1. Kamal Haasan on Nayakan - 25 years later
2. Two scenes in Nayakaan - Where music tells the story.
3. Mani Ratnam Interview - 35 years later

Trivia

1. 60 lesser-known facts

Music from #Uppbeat (free for Creators!): https://uppbeat.io/t/hey-pluto/the-parade

License code: MIE1N7HAVI6KJOSG

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