THE MOST MEMORABLE MANI MOVIES - 2

Nayagan (1987)


Kamal Haasan + Mani Ratnam = The Godfather

Simply put, Nayagan is one of the finest moments in Indian cinema. The story of Velu Naiker, an ordinary slum-dweller in Dharavi who goes on to become an underworld don and a hero for the Tamil dwellers in Mumbai mirrored -- or, at least, was inspired by -- the life and times of Vardarajan Mudaliar.

But it was Ratnam's script and Kamal Haasan's seemingly-effortless portrayal of a man whose criminal career is marked with triumph and tragedy that makes Nayagan an epic cinematic presentation.

The cast also includes Saranya, Nasser, Delhi Ganesh and Janagaraj. The film music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, a well-known music director for Tamil films. The film also went on to win an Indian National Award for Kamal Haasan for his brilliant performance.

There have been more trumpeted remakes of The Godfather in India, and even a Bollywood remake of Nayagan, but Mani's vision makes this film stand miles higher than all other efforts.

It won three National awards -- Best Actor, Best Cinematography (PC Sriram) and Best Art Direction (Thotta Tharani); it was India's nomination for the Academy Awards in 1988 and, in 2005, was one of Time magazine's 100 Greatest Movies of all time.

Awards
The film has won the following awards since its release:
1988 National Film Awards (India)
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Actor - Kamal Haasan
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Cinematography - P.C. Sriram
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Art Direction - Thotta Tharani

Soundtrack
The soundtrack features five songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics by Vairamuthu.

Nee oru Kaadhal Sangeetham - Mano & S. Janaki
Thenpaandi Cheemayile - Ilaiyaraaja & Kamal Hassan
Nila Adhu Vaanathumele - Ilaiyaraaja
Naan Sirithal Deepawali - Jamunarani, Rajeswari, Chorus
Andhi mazhai megam- T. L. Maharajan and Chorus

STILL MANI RATNAM'S GREATEST MOVIE