Iruvar

Infobox_Film
name = Iruvar


imsize =
caption = A scene from 'Iruvar'
director = Mani Ratnam
producer = Mani Ratnam
Suhasini
writer = Mani Ratnam,
Suhasini
starring = Mohanlal
Tabu
Prakash Raj
Gouthami
Aishwarya Rai
Nasser
distributor = Madras Talkies
released = January 14, 1997
runtime = 165 mins
language = Tamil
imdb_id = 0119385
music = A. R. Rahman
Choreography = Farah Khan, Saroj Khan, Raghuram

"Iruvar" ("The Duo") (1997) is a Tamil language film directed by Mani Ratnam, with music composed by A. R. Rahman.The film is a fictionalized account of the lives of 1980s Tamil Nadu political icons M. G. Ramachandran and M. Karunanidhi.

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".

Plot Synopsis

Tamizhselvam, a writer, and Anandan, an actor, become close friends in their mutual struggle for success in the film industry. While Anandan aims for success in films alone, Selvam has political goals as well, being a member of 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 and for power over the state. Their friendship eventually turns bitter as they attempt to outdo each other.

Cast

Criticism

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).

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

Soundtrack

Album infobox
Name = Iruvar:
The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack
Type = Soundtrack
Artist = A. R. Rahman


Background = Gainsboro
Released = 1997
Genre = Soundtrack
Length =
Label = Pyramid
Producer = A. R. Rahman
Reviews =
Last album =
This album = "Iruvar: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack"
(1997)
Next album =

"Iruvar: The Original Motion Picture Soundtrack"

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

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

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 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."

External links

*imdb title|id=0119385|title=Iruvar
* [http://manismagic.iespana.es/iruvar.htm Article analyzing one of the scenes in "Iruvar"]