24 Mani Neram

24 Mani Neram (read as "Irupatthi Naalu Mani Neram"; ) is a 1984 Indian Tamil-language thriller film written and directed by Manivannan, starring Mohan, Sathyaraj, and Nalini. The music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja with editing by B. Kandasamy and cinematography by A. Sabapathi.

The film released on 18 July 1984 and was a commercial success, running for 27 weeks. The film was remade in Kannada as Jayabheri (1989).

Plot
X. W. Ramarathinam is a billionaire womaniser who rapes and kills the girls he likes. One day, he sees Janaki with her husband Raj on their wedding day in his own grand hotel. He initially indirectly tries to pursue Janaki to be his concubine. She complains to her husband, who is a reporter. Ramarathinam learns of this and rapes and kills Janaki. He also frames Raj for this. Raj swears to kill Ramarathinam within 24 hours. When Ramarathinam kills his own PA and henchman, Swapna's brother, for not finishing off Mohan, Swapna swears revenge. Somehow, Ramarathinam discovers this, but instead of killing Swapna, he rapes her and then kills her. Finally, Raj kills Ramarathinam within 24 hours as per his revenge.

Cast

 * Mohan as Raj
 * Sathyaraj as Ramarathinam
 * Nalini as Janaki
 * Jaishankar as Vijay
 * Vadivukkarasi as Lakshmi, Raj's mother
 * Swapna as Swapna
 * Ilavarasi as Rekha
 * Chinni Jayanth as Seenu
 * Senthil as Sidekick
 * Jyothi Lakshmi in a special appearance
 * Jayamalini in a special appearance
 * Anuradha in a special appearance
 * Bayilvan Ranganathan as Marutha Muthu

Production
Manivannan retained three actors from his Nooravathu Naal – Mohan, Sathyaraj and Nalini – for this film. Sathyaraj initially suggested S. Balachander or M. N. Nambiar for the role of the antagonist, but Manivannan urged him to do the role.

Soundtrack
Lyrics were written by Pulamaipithan and composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Release and reception
24 Mani Neram was released on 20 July 1984. Jayamanmadhan of Kalki said the story was old fashioned, but praised the manner in which it was told. The film was a success, and is considered among the most significant projects for Mohan, Sathyaraj and Nalini.