‘Nayakan’ re-release review: Kamal Haasan’s legacy shines brighter; fans relive the 80s magic |

Kamal Haasan’s 1987 classic ‘Nayakan’ has been re-released to a rapturous reception, marking a grand celebration for the actor’s 71st birthday. Fans flooded theaters, creating a festive atmosphere with crackers and milk anointing, reliving the 80s magic. The film’s enduring power was evident as audiences stood and applauded, with many moved to tears by an on-screen tribute to Robo Shankar.

‘Nayakan,’ directed by Mani Ratnam and starring Kamal Haasan, released in 1987, is a film that changed the history of Tamil cinema. ‘Nayakan,’ an unforgettable masterpiece of this era, has been re-released in theaters in a digitally remastered form, which lit up the celebrations of Kamal Haasan’s 71st birthday. On the release day itself, fans celebrated the release by bursting crackers in front of theaters. Some lit lamps in front of ‘Nayakan’ posters and shared videos on social media with the slogan “Long live Kamal Haasan!” Fans inside the theaters turned it into a festival with paper crackers, milk anointing, and cheering.

Fans relive the magic of the 80s with Kamal Haasan’s epic performance

After the first screening in theaters on the first day of re-release, the audience stood up and applauded. “This is not cinema; it’s an experience of reliving a time,” some fans said. The hashtags #Nayakan and #KamalHaasan are trending on social media. One fan wrote, “There is a special kind of peace in losing yourself in a movie theater… #Nayagan, you beauty.” Another shared, “Kamal’s Epic. It was like watching it the first time (must be the 10th time). Felt as if someone took me to the 80s.” In addition to this, a post by fans at Kamala Cinemas titled “Whattey vibe at Kamala Cinemas” went viral. Every corner of the theater was filled with love and pride for Kamal Haasan.

An emotional tribute to Robo Shankar

The emotions of the fans were even more intense at the screenings. Especially for the on-screen tribute to Robo Shankar, the fans stood in silence for a few seconds. “After a roaring reception, audiences go silent when #RoboShankar is shown on the big screen, a tribute to the die-hard Aandavar fan,” wrote one fan. Many people were reported to have shed tears at the moment. Many said, “Kamal Haasan is not just an actor; he is a film school by himself.” Kamal’s facial expressions, Mani Ratnam’s storytelling, and Ilaiyaraaja’s background music recreated a magic that has not faded even after 37 years.