Iraniyan (film)

Iraniyan 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, it was released on 18 November 1999.

Plot
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.

Production
A legal suit was filed against the film's original title of Vaattaakkudi Iraniyan and subsequently the prefix was removed.

Soundtrack
The music was composed by Deva.

Reception
Malini Mannath of Chennai Online noted "this is worth a watch. Murali performs with intensity and conviction." Aurangazeb of Kalki praised the film for its realistic approach and cast. 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". 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. Ananda Vikatan lauded Murali's performance and the efforts taken to create the period look, but felt the film occasionally drags.