Nayakan (Eng: The Hero) is a 1987 Indian Tamil-language gangster film written and directed by Mani Ratnam. It stars Kamal Haasan and Saranya in lead roles.
It is loosely based on the real-life Bombay underworld don Varadarajan Mudaliar, and sympathetically depicts the struggle of South Indians living in Bombay (now Mumbai).
The film also stars Saranya Ponvannan in her film debut. Karthika, Nassar, Janagaraj, Delhi Ganesh and Tinnu Anand play significant roles.
The soundtrack and the background score of the film, composed by Ilaiyaraaja were critically acclaimed and considered by critics as one of his best works to that point.
Directed by – Mani Ratnam
Produced by – Muktha Srinivasan, Muktha V. Ramaswamy & G. Venkateswaran
Written by – Mani Ratnam
Starring – Kamal Haasan, Saranya, Karthika
Music by – Ilaiyaraaja
Cinematography – P. C. Sreeram
Edited by – B. Lenin & V. T. Vijayan
Production – Muktha Films
Distributed by – G. V. Films
Release date – 21 October 1987
Running time – 135–155 minutes
Country – India
Language – Tamil
