It is 25 years since the release of the epic Nayagan, directed by Mani Ratnam and featuring the legendary Kamal Haasan. This gangster movie released on October 21, 1987 and was set in the slums of Dharavi, Mumbai. It was a path-breaking venture in all respects and Velu Nayakkar is remembered fondly even today. Among the most memorable dialogues in Tamil cinema would be Nayagan's "Neenga Nallavara Kettavara"
The movie had marvelous music by Ilaiyaraja and some splendid camerawork from P.C.Sreeram. Dim lighting became a trend post Nayagan. Even today, whenever Nayagan is shown on TV, fans are glued to the TV sets. Nayagan was the closest that Tamil cinema can ever come to Francis Ford Coppola's 'The Godfather' in terms of scale and treatment.
In a leading daily, Kamal Haasan has penned his experiences doing Nayagan in detail. It makes for fascinating reading. He has also thanked all the above mentioned technicians who worked in this cult film and wished for the success of his own Vishwaroopam as well as Mani Ratnam's Kadal.
Behindwoods salutes all the people who worked tirelessly to make Nayagan a timeless classic.
