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Nayakan, the cult-classic Tamil film starring Kamal Haasan and directed by Mani Ratnam has hit the screens again. The re-release is part of the celebrations of Kamal Haasan’s 71st birthday. For fans of the director and actor, the 1987 gangster drama couldn’t have come at a better time, as the combination’s comeback, Thug Life, turned out to be a disaster at the box office earlier this year. Nayakan, hailed for its terrific performances, technical superiority and fine writing, was India’s official entry to Oscars. Produced by Muktha Srinivasan of Muktha Films, the movie is included in Time’s list of the “All-Time 100 Best Films.” Loosely based on the life of Mumbai crime boss Varadarajan Mudaliar and the Hollywood classic Godfather, Nayakan won National Awards for best acting (Kamal Haasan), best cinematography (PC Sriram) and best art direction (Thota Tharani).Here are some rare pictures from the sets of the movie.
Kamal Haasan as Velu Naicker from the film. THE HINDU ARCHIVES
Kamal Haasan and Saranya from a song sequence in the movie. Ilaiyaraaja’s songs from ‘Nayakan’ are considered evergreen numbers. THE HINDU ARCHIVES
Mani Ratnam explains a scene to Kamal Haasan and Saranya as cinematographer PC Sriram looks on. The film marked a longstanding and successful collaboration between Mani Ratnam and PC Sriram. THE HINDU ARCHIVES.
Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam during the filming of an action sequence. Mani Ratnam has said in multiple interviews that he was fascinated with the life of Varadarajan Mudaliar, the Mumbai crime boss. THE HINDU ARCHIVES.
Kamal Haasan as the aged Velu Naicker. The actor was praised for convincingly playing a complex character, from youth to old age. THE HINDU ARCHIVES.
Mani Ratnam with his actors. The director was fresh on the back of the success of ‘Mouna Ragam’ when he embarked on the journey of this movie. THE HINDU ARCHIVES.
Kamal Haasan and Mani Ratnam on the sets of the film. THE HINDU ARCHIVES.
A poster of ‘Nayakan’. The film was remade in Hindi as ‘Dayavaan’, starring Vinod Khanna. THE HINDU ARCHIVES
Several prominent scenes from the movie was shot in Mumbai. THE HINDU ARCHIVES.
Kamal Haasan and Saranya from the film. THE HINDU ARCHIVES
Published – November 07, 2025 05:52 pm IST
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In Pictures: Revisiting ‘Nayakan’, the Kamal Haasan-Mani Ratnam classic
