Iraniyan (Tamil pronunciation: [iɾaɳijan]) is a 1999 Indian Tamil language film directed by Vincent Selva. The film stars Murali and Meena, while Raghuvaran, Vadivelu and Ranjith play other supporting roles. A fictionalised biography of the Indian freedom fighter Vattakudi Iraniyan,[1] it was released on 18 November 1999.[2] Raghuvaran won the Dinakaran Cinema Award for Best Villain.[3]

Iraniyan
Title card
Directed byVincent Selva
Screenplay byVincent Selva
Starring
CinematographyBalasubramaniem
Edited by
  • S. S. Vasu
  • Saleem
Music byDeva
Production
company
Thaaraas Creations
Release date
  • 18 November 1999 (1999-11-18)
CountryIndia
LanguageTamil

Plot

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Vattakudi Iraniyan is a home-coming military man who becomes a rebel after witnessing caste discrimination and brutal killings by a landlord over lower caste people. Iraniyan escapes execution and returns to his village, where he finds that the poor are being oppressed by the landlord. He then sets out to exact punishment on the oppressors.

Cast

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Production

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The film was originally titled Vaattaakkudi Iraniyan. A legal suit was filed against the makers regarding this, and subsequently the prefix was removed.[4]

Soundtrack

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The music was composed by Deva.[5][6]

Song Singers Lyrics
"Ayyarettu" Anuradha Sriram, Krishnaraj Vairamuthu
"Chandirane Satchi" K. S. Chithra Na. Muthukumar
"Cheepoya Nee" S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam Palani Bharathi
"En Maaman Madurai" Swarnalatha Na. Muthukumar
"Varaan Paru" Deva Thyagarajan

Reception

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Malini Mannath of Chennai Online noted "this is worth a watch. Murali performs with intensity and conviction."[7] Aurangazeb of Kalki praised the film for its realistic approach and cast.[8] Malathi Rangarajan of The Hindu wrote, "Despite the abrupt ending of certain scenes and dialogues coming out in spurts in many places thus giving the impression that it is more of miming than clear dialogue delivery, Iraniyan appeals – at least the first half surely does. The flaws seem to be due to the cuts in scenes and dialogues".[9] K. N. Vijiyan of New Straits Times described the camerawork and art direction as plus points, and also said the story was "easy to follow", but wished more exploits of the real Iraniyan were shown.[10] Ananda Vikatan lauded Murali's performance and the efforts taken to create the period look, but felt the film occasionally drags.[11]

References

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  1. ^ U, Saradha (16 November 2021). "Jai Bhim to Maadathy: Anti-caste Tamil films and where to watch them". The News Minute. Archived from the original on 8 August 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2023.
  2. ^ "இரணியன் / Iraniyan (1999)". Screen 4 Screen. Archived from the original on 28 November 2023. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  3. ^ "Awards: "Dinakaran Cinema Awards"--1999". Dinakaran. Archived from the original on 25 June 2008. Retrieved 16 September 2024.
  4. ^ "Tamil Cinema: 1999 Year Highlights". Dinakaran. Archived from the original on 3 November 2006. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  5. ^ "Iraniyan (1999)". Raaga.com. Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 30 April 2023.
  6. ^ "Iraniyan, Viralukketha Veekkam Tamil Audio CD By Deva". VintageAV.shop. Archived from the original on 18 March 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  7. ^ Mannath, Malini. "Hiranyan". Chennai Online. Archived from the original on 28 November 1999. Retrieved 12 January 2022.
  8. ^ ஒளரங்கசீப் (12 December 1999). "இரணியன்". Kalki (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 26 July 2023. Retrieved 17 November 2022 – via Internet Archive.
  9. ^ Rangarajan, Malathi (3 December 1999). "Cinema Reviews: Iraniyan/Khoobsurat". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 4 June 2001. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
  10. ^ Vijiyan, K. N. (4 December 1999). "Real-life champion of the poor". New Straits Times. pp. Reel Stuff 5. Archived from the original on 20 June 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024 – via Google News Archive.
  11. ^ "இரணியன் - விகடன் விமர்சனம்". Ananda Vikatan (in Tamil). 19 December 1999. Archived from the original on 9 January 2024. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
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