Best Movie of all time. Review on Velu Nayakan - Tamil Movie

You need to watch Naayagan to understand as to why it has been chosen as one among the top 10 movies of all times.Manirathnam was in top form in this movie. Personally, I think Mani was at his best in Mouna Ragam, Nayagan and anjali. I mean , in general I have noticed that while he takes time to develop the characters and story settings, the ending is quick and abrupt (For example, in Bombay...just by the outburst of Aravindswamy...things seem to be set right). But in these movies excepting Mouna Ragam, the conclusion is also well rounded.

ACTING : Kamal Hasan won a National award for this mmovie and it was completely justified. His transition from a violent youth to a slum leader is acted out very well. One thing I noticed was he had given care to the make up. With age you can see a receding forehead ,an increase in girth and change in gait. I dont know how they do it but I appreciate the fact that they have given attention to such minor details. Undoubtedly he is a powerhouse of acting and I doubt whether anybody will reach to his level in terms of acting or variety and creativity.This guy is foreever experimenting in new avenues of cinema whatever loss he takes financially.

Saranya has also done well considering this was her first movie. What a lucky debut by Mani against Kamal. But she has held her own in portraying a young girl into a full fledged house wife.

Janakraj is also an integral part of the movie.He is the one who accompanies Nayakan from his time in bombay till his death. The bonding between the two can be seen in the scene where kamal slaps his daughter when she hits janakaraj

Other supporting actors includes Delhi ganesh( Iyer), Nizhalgal Ravi(Son) , Karthika ( daughter), Nasser ( ACP). Each have performed their role to perfection but my pick is Karthika . She is very good in the scene where she questions her father's beliefs and actions.

MUSIC : Music is superb . Ilayaraja has given a perfect BG music. I had a small complaint. In Naan sirithal Deepavali song, I felt that the voice selection was not good. Jikki's voice was appearing too childish to the point of squeaking. Others were good especially Thenpani seemaiyile. This song has 3 different stages. The first one where Velu's father sings to him, the second one where he sings to his children and the third sung after his death.Of these the most heart wrenching is the last one with the BG contributing big time.

DIALOGUES : I generally dont talk much about dialogues. But these dialogues by Balakumaran, was a masterpiece. Along with a good direction and a solid screenplay you also need sharp dialogs to make a movie click with the audience. BK had done an excellent job. The dialogues reminded me of many of his books where the characters are pretty outspoken and sharp. Pick of the lot are the dialogues during the confrontation between Kamal and his daughter , '' Naalu perukku nalladhuna edhuvume thappu illa''(Anything is right if it results in good for the people), the dialogues where his children imitate him(Little girl saying Naandhan Iyer- I am the Iyer)

DIRECTION : What more to say....Mani had succeeded in making a master piece through gritty screenplay. He had extracted the best out of his cast. My favourite scenes include the above mentioned in dialogues section, the scene where Inspector Raghavan comes to Nayakar for help , the scene where velu and group corner a doctor to save the life of a small child , the scene where he meets charanya in a brothel and the scene where he goes to the Seth's house and breaks everything to make him give up on the factory.

Watch it once and I am sure it will be one of the movies you will never forget if not a favourite