Iraivan

Iraivan is a 2023 Tamil-language  action thriller film directed by I. Ahmed and produced by Sudhan Sundaram and G. Jayaram under Passion Studios. The film stars Jayam Ravi, Nayanthara, Narain, Vinoth Kishan and Rahul Bose in the lead roles, while Vijayalakshmi, Ashish Vidyarthi, Azhagam Perumal and Bagavathi Perumal in supporting roles.

The film was announced in March 2022 without a title, which was revealed only that September. Principal photography commenced in March 2022 and wrapped by that November. The music is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja, while the cinematography and editing are handled by Hari K. Vedantam and J. V. Manikanda Balaji.

Iraivan was released on 28 September 2023 and received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics.

Plot
Arjun is the ACP known for his unorthodox approach to apprehending suspects through lethal encounters rather than adhering to standard arrest protocols. He harbors affection for Priya, the sister of his colleague and friend, Andrew. However, he hesitates to commit to marriage due to the enemies he has amassed during his aggressive law enforcement career, anticipating retaliation from those he has crossed.

Meanwhile, the city is gripped by fear as a psychopathic serial killer, nicknamed the "Smile-Killer" for leaving distinctive smiley face notes near the crime scenes, abducts and gruesomely murders young girls. Arjun and Andrew are assigned to this harrowing case. Tragically, Andrew loses his life while confronting the killer, who is later identified as Brahma. Haunted by the trauma of this investigation, Arjun resigns from the police force. Together with Priya, he embarks on a new path by opening a cafe, seeking a tranquil existence.

A year later, panic resurfaces when reports suggest that Brahma has escaped from prison. Subsequently, Shanmugam, the doctor responsible for Brahma's care while incarcerated is found dead. Shanmugam's daughter Swetha, too, falls victim to the same gruesome fate as Brahma's prior victims, bearing the killer's signature. Arjun is sent a death threat letter, seemingly from Brahma. The Smile-Killer's spree intensifies, with increasingly brutal acts and the disturbing practice of sending video footage of the victims' torment and murder to their families and the media. The grim videos drive some family members of the victims to commit suicide.

The disappearance of Shalu, the only survivor of a previous encounter with Brahma, draws the attention of the police and Arjun. There is a belief that Brahma has abducted her once again to complete his unfinished task. Investigations reveal that Brahma may not intend to kill Shallu because he sees her as a willing participant, given her nymphomaniac tendencies. In a previous abduction, Shalu's response to Brahma's torture was arousal rather than fear, which diverged from Brahma's typical satisfaction derived from his victims' screams of panic. Arjun eventually locates the site where Shalu is held captive, the same place where Brahma was previously apprehended. A confrontation ensues, during which Arjun questions Brahma's role and discovers that someone else has been using Brahma's name for the most recent murders, but Brahma refuses to reveal their identity. The police arrive and fatally shoot Brahma.

The Smile-Killer's reign of terror continues, raising suspicions that another individual is impersonating Brahma. After a thorough investigation, Arjun believes that Babu, an assistant to a priest and a previous suspect, is the copycat killer. However, evidence implicates Arjun when it is revealed that the video of Shalu's captivity was sent from his location. In an attempt to apprehend Babu, Arjun uses his characteristic aggressive methods. The police intervene to save Babu, and in the heated exchange, Arjun confesses to kidnapping Shalu and sending the video to a TV channel. He insists that it was a play to trap Brahma, as he knew Brahma considered Shalu a partner rather than a victim. Meanwhile, Babu goes to the media regarding his mistreatment at the hands of Arjun and the police force, leading to the public sentiment leaning in his favor.

Later that evening, Arjun uncovers compelling evidence at Babu's store that links him to the crimes. En route to Babu's arrest, he receives a phone call from Jasmine, Andrew's widow, who reveals that Babu has abducted her daughter Sophie. Babu promises to disclose Sophie's location only if Arjun complies with his demands. Arjun agrees and embarks on a journey to meet Babu, but a tragic turn of events occurs when Jasmine attempts to take her own life, seemingly as part of Babu's demands. Ultimately, a hostage exchange takes place with Priya joining the scene, per Babu's request for her in exchange for Sophie. In the process, Arjun intervenes, incapacitating Babu and saving both Priya and Sophie.

The police force fakes Babu’s death due to the public sentiment regarding his innocence, and holds him captive in secret. The movie ends with them leaving the room so that Babu can be dealt with by Arjun.

Development
In May 2021, actor Jayam Ravi and director I. Ahmed were reported to do a movie together, doing so after Jana Gana Mana, which had it shooting on hold due to COVID-19 pandemic and was not resumed. Nayanthara was reported to play the lead female role alongside Ravi after Thani Oruvan (2015), with her also receiving a remuneration of ₹10 crore for 20-days call sheet. Harris Jayaraj was reported to compose the soundtrack for the film, collaborating with Ahmed after Endrendrum Punnagai (2013), until they finalised Yuvan Shankar Raja as the composer. On 30 March 2022, coinciding with Ahmed's birthday, Ravi and Ahmed, via Twitter, confirmed doing a film together. The title Iraivan was revealed on Ravi's birthday (10 September).

Filming
Principal photography began in March 2022 with the first schedule in Chennai. Nayanthara finished shooting her portions by 14 August, while the whole shooting wrapped by 1 November.

Music
The film's music and background score is composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja in his second collaboration with Ahmed after Vaamanan (2009) and fifth with Ravi after Daas (2005), Deepavali (2007), Thillalangadi (2010) and Ameerin Aadhi-Bhagavan (2013). Times Music purchased the music rights for the film. The first single "Azhagai" was released on 9 September 2023.

Theatrical
Iraivan was initially scheduled for a theatrical release on 25 August 2023, but was postponed due to unfinished post-production work. It was later released on 28 September 2023, clashing with Raghava-starrer Chandramukhi 2 and Siddharth-starrer Chithha. The film received an A certificate for its violent content. It is Ravi's first film to receive this rating since Ameerin Aadhi-Bhagavan. The distribution rights of the film in Tamil Nadu were acquired by Udhayanidhi Stalin, T. Kishore and G. Srinivasan under the banner of Red Giant Movies, Think Studios and S Picture.

Home media
The streaming platform, Netflix, acquired the digital rights for the film while the satellite rights were sold to Kalaignar TV.

Reception
Iraivan received mixed-to-negative reviews from critics.

Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express gave the film 1 out of 5 stars and wrote "Iraivan is the latest addition to the never-ending list of brainless psychological action thrillers our film industries keep churning out." Logesh Balachandran of The Times of India gave the film 2.5 out of 5 stars and wrote the "director's decision to make all the losses personal to the protagonist doesn't work much and only turns it into a common narrative". P Sangeetha of OTTPlay rated the film with 2 out of 5 stars and wrote "Director Ahmed's Iraivan is full of heavy-duty violence and gore that gets tiring after a point. The thriller is let down by a weak screenplay that leaves many loose ends". Navein Darshan of The New Indian Express rated the film 3/5 and wrote "However, it feels rather odd that a film titled after God is devoid of any backstories. After all, isn't God built on interesting origin tales?".