Nayakan
A common man's struggles against a corrupt police force put him on the wrong side of the law. He becomes a don, who is loved and respected by many, but his growing power and influence exact a heavy toll.
Directed by Mani Ratnam · Crime · Drama · 145 min · 1987
Director
Mani Ratnam
Writer
Mani Ratnam{{Infobox, decat = yes, child = yes, label1= Dialogue by, data1 = Balakumaran
Studio
Muktha Films
Release
21 Oct 1987
Runtime
145 min
Genres
Crime, Drama
Full Plot
In Tamil Nadu, a young man named Sakthivel is arrested and his father is killed by the police. He flees to Mumbai, where he is adopted by a kind-hearted smuggler, Hussain. As an adult, Velu manages smuggling operations and becomes embroiled in a violent underworld, seeking revenge against those who wronged him and protecting those he cares about.
Cast & Characters
Young Sakthivel "Velu" Naicker
Manikandan G.
Neela
Saranya
Charumati
Karthika
young Charu (uncredited)
Neena
Ajit Kelkar
Tinnu Anand
Did You Know?
Mani Ratnam has directed 16 films in our catalog, including Kannathil Muthamittal, O Kadhal Kanmani.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
Kamal Haasan appears in 28 films in our catalog, including Thevar Magan, Papanasam.
Source: theIReview.com catalog · verified 2026-08-02
Nayakan became a major success in many states.
Source: Wikipedia · verified 2026-08-03
Critical Assessment
Nayakan holds 8.6/10 on IMDb (27,667 votes).
Not enough independent critic/audience score breakdown available.
Ratings as of July 30, 2026
Where to Watch
United States
United Kingdom
India
Streaming data from JustWatch via TMDb. Availability changes often — confirm on the provider before watching.
AI Verdict
AI-generatedBased on aggregated scores (8.6/10 on IMDb (27,667 votes)), this is a data-driven snapshot rather than an editorial take.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Nayakan's IMDb rating?+
Nayakan has a 8.6/10 rating on IMDb from 27,667 votes.
Is Nayakan good? What are critics saying?+
Nayakan holds 8.6/10 on IMDb (27,667 votes).
How long is Nayakan?+
Nayakan has a runtime of 145 min.
Who directed Nayakan?+
Nayakan was directed by Mani Ratnam.
Where can I watch Nayakan?+
Nayakan is available to stream, rent, or buy on Amazon Video, Amazon Prime Video, VI movies and tv, Amazon Prime Video with Ads.
