Iruvar

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Iruvar
A scene from 'Iruvar'
Directed by	Mani Ratnam
Produced by	Mani Ratnam Suhasini
Written by	Mani Ratnam, Suhasini
Starring	Mohanlal Tabu Prakash Raj Gouthami Aishwarya Rai Nasser
Music by	A. R. Rahman
Distributed by	Madras Talkies
Release date(s)	January 14, 1997
Running time	165 mins
Language	Tamil
IMDb profile

Iruvar (The Twosome — The Duo) (1997) is a Tamil language film directed by Mani Ratnam, with music composed by A. R. Rahman. The film traces the lives of 1980s Tamil Nadu political rivals M. G. Ramachandran and M. Karunanidhi. Upon release, it earned a strong critical reception and is also critically considered by some to be one of Mani Ratnam's best films to date.

Mohanlal and Prakash Raj played lead roles in the film. Tabu, Gouthami, Revathi Menon and Nasser star in supporting roles. The film also saw the movie debut of Aishwarya Rai, then merely a model and former beauty queen (as well as an aspiring actress). It was subsequently dubbed in Telugu under the title Iddaru.

[edit] Plot Synopsis

Tamizhselvam, a scriptwriter, and Anandan, an actor, develop a close friendship struggling to succeed in the film industry. While Anandan aims for success in films alone, Selvam has political goals as well, being a member of, and speech writer for, a political party. Both men rise within their respective fields. Upon Selvam's urging, Anandan joins the party, drawing people because of his fame and charisma. He eventually becomes crucial to the party, his importance rivalling Selvam's. Upon the death of the party head, both men find themselves rivals for the top position. Their friendship eventually turns bitter as they attempt to outdo each other.

[edit] Cast

Anandan & Selvam in their happier days

• Anandan - Mohanlal
• Selvam - Prakash Raj
• Pushpa/Kalpana - Aishwarya Rai
• Senthamarai - Tabu
• Ramani - Gautami
• Maragatham - Revathy
• Ayya Veluthambi - Nasser
• Madhivanan - Rajesh
• Nambi - Delhi Ganesh

[edit] Criticism

Selvam - A great orator

Anandan - A glamorous film star

The movie dealt with a very sensitive subject. The two men whose lives have been chronicled enjoy an enormous fan following. The dash and flair and captivating oratorical abilities of M. Karunanidhi has attracted many millions over the 50 years of his political life. M. G. Ramachandran enjoys a semi-divine status in Tamil Nadu with people constructing temples for him. On account of this the movie invited much criticism from both the camps. Moreover the personal lives of the lead characters (their extramarital relations, ego problems) have been portrayed with near accuracy in the film. M. G. Ramachandran is shown as a relentless womanizer who meets his match in the wiles of J Jayalalithaa.

When the movie was released,various political parties staged demonstrations to prevent theaters from showing the movie. Still the movie is regarded as one of Mani Rathnam's better works. The movie enjoys enormous fan following among the Tamils in the world. DVDs of the movie are continuously in demand as are the soundtrack (by acclaimed composer, A.R. Rahman).

[edit] Awards

The film has won the following awards since its release:

1997 Belgrade Film Festival

• Won - Best Film of the festival of the Auteur Films - Iruvar - Mani Ratnam

1998 National Film Awards (India)

• Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Supporting Actor - Prakash Raj
• Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Cinematography - Santosh Sivan

[edit] Soundtrack

Iruvar: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

The film's soundtrack features 6 songs composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Vairamuthu.

Track listing:

1. "Kannai Katti" (5:56) – Hariharan
2. "Hello Mister Edirkatchi" (4:12) – Harini
3. "Narumugaye" (6:20) – Unnikrishnan & Bombay Jayashree
4. "Venilla Venilla" (4:59) – Asha Bhosle
5. "Ayirathil Naan Oruvan" (5:51) – Mano
6. "Poo Kudiyil Punnagai" (5:31) – Sandhya

[edit] Trivia

• Madhavan was supposed to play the role of Anandan, but was pulled out because he was too young for that character and so it went into Mohan Lal's hands.
• Prakash Raj received a Best Supporting Actor award from M. Karunanidhi; the character he portrayed in the film is said to be loosely based on him.
• Dialogues were penned by actress Suhasini Mani Ratnam.
• Debut Film for Aishwarya Rai.
• Madhubala joined Mani Ratnam after Roja, appears in a dance sequence.
• Mani Rathnam quoted about the lead actor Mohanlal -"Hereafter, I will never work with a man of whom I am a fan. I often forgot to say 'Cut' in Iruvar."

[edit] External links

• Iruvar at the Internet Movie Database
• Article analyzing one of the scenes in Iruvar