Nayagan (1987)
Easily considered one of Kamal's most brilliant performances, Nayagan (The Hero), which won him his third National award, the film detailed the life and times of Velu Nayakkar.
Directed by Mani Ratnam, the film was loosely based on a Mumbai underworld don, Varadaraja Mudaliar, and also inspired by a novel The Godfather by Mario Puzo.
Right from the beginning, when a young Velu sets foot in Mumbai, and later morphs from a small-time smuggler to an arbiter of issues in his society, the metamorphosis of Kamal from fiery youngster to a more sedate old man was a truly remarkable performance.
Named by Times magazine as one of the 100 Best Films of All Time, Nayagan contained a story and performances not easily replicated by movies either before or after its time.
Advertisement
