Kamal Haasan’s Defining Performance
A Family Divided: Love, Loss, and Betrayal
The film NAAYAKAN, directed by Mani Ratnam, is a landmark Indian crime drama starring Kamal Haasan in the lead role, with Saranya and Nassar in pivotal roles. The movie’s immense success is attributed to Ratnam’s masterful direction, Ilaiyaraaja’s hugely popular music and outstanding background score, and Kamal Haasan’s extraordinary performance. It was a massive hit across multiple languages, including Tamil, Telugu, and Hindi, and remains a critically acclaimed film today.
Plot Summary
The story centers on Veera Swamy (Kamal Haasan), a man whose life is irrevocably shaped by tragedy. As a child, Veera Swamy’s father, a Union Leader, is in hiding with his group from the police. When the police question young Veera Swamy, he deliberately misleads them, but they eventually trace, locate, and kill his father.
Orphaned, Veera Swamy grows up alone and enters the world of smuggling. However, he becomes a benevolent figure who uses his influence to help the poor and needy, which eventually elevates him to the status of a revered people’s leader in his community.Veera Swamy marries a woman who had been forced into prostitution. His life takes another dark turn when his son is killed in an encounter with a rival gang. Devastated, Veera Swamy vows to avenge his son’s death before completing the final rites.
The violence of his life ultimately alienates him from his family. His daughter witnesses Veera Swamy’s men eliminating his son’s killer, leading her to develop a deep hatred for her father. She leaves him and marries Nassar, who is a Superintendent of Police (SP) actively investigating and pursuing Veera Swamy.
Climax and Resolution
The most emotional scene occurs when Veera Swamy unexpectedly meets his daughter at her home, unaware that she is the wife of the SP looking to arrest him. She is surprised to see her father and keeps the interaction very formal, refusing to introduce him to her son or accept any money for her grandson, highlighting her deep resentment.
Tragic end of the Hero
In court, where Veera Swamy is facing trial, the police, led by his son-in-law, are unable to control the massive crowd of supporters who have gathered. The SP asks Veera Swamy to intervene, and a single signal from the crime boss silences the throng. Veera Swamy eventually wins the case.
The story ends tragically: a mentally challenged son of a police inspector (played by Tinu Anand), whose father was killed by Veera Swamy earlier in the film, fires at and kills Veera Swamy, bringing the life of the people’s leader to a violent conclusion. The film was dubbed and released in all Indian languages.
Principle Correspondent, Prime Post
Vidya Sagar Chaturvedula is a passionate film enthusiast whose four-decade career spans multiple sectors, including media and industry. Fluent in Telugu, Hindi, and English, he has a deep appreciation for cinema, particularly films in those three languages. His passion goes beyond simple viewing; he enjoys analyzing directional skill, the emotional depth of actors’ performances, and the profound meaning embedded in dialogue. Mr. Sagar is known for his ability to clearly articulate and narrate his insightful film analyses after watching a movie.
Nayakan, a movie that was released before I was born, yet I remember watching it on those old black and white TVs. It truly takes me back to my child hood days. Beautifully narrated, thank you for bringing back such wonderful memories.
Thank You Very Much Prabhakar.
Speechless about Kamal Hasan Performance. I was Completely Engrossed into it. Remembering my past days. A Sweet Memory.
It was heartbreaking to imagine crime as a easy going and enjoyable occupation just because ‘RobinHood’ is popular with henchmen and locality.
Any conscientious behavior leads to downfall and sympathy which cashes in the box office.
True Sir. Thank You Very Much.
Nayakan is Kamal Haasan s one of the best movie. Very well narrated.
Thank You Aruna.
Nayakan movie viewed kong back. But in my memory the story narration, Kamalhasan action and finally climax is extordinory.
Credit goes to Director and music.
Thank You Ravi.