Mani Ratnam reveals he had no bound script while making 'Nayakan' with Kamal Haasan: 'We had very little time'

Director Mani Ratnam is preparing for the release of Thug Life, starring Kamal Haasan. The duo has reunited after a long hiatus, with their last collaboration being 'Nayakan' in 1987. The veteran filmmaker recently shared some surprising behind-the-scenes details about the iconic film 'Nayakan'.Mani Ratnam reveals he started Nayakan with no bounded script In an interview with Galatta Plus, Mani Ratnam revealed that the film had no complete script at the time filming began. “The script was not bound when I started, strangely, and maybe it was for the best, because we had very little time to prepare for it. From the time we decided to do the project to the shooting date was less than four or five months, so we had very little time. I had worked on the script, but I didn’t know how I wanted to finish the film.So that happened during the process (of shooting),” he said.While Nayakan is remembered for its gripping storyline and intense performances, Ratnam shared that it was the understated emotional moments that left the deepest impact on him.Mani Ratnam's favorite part in Nayakan He reflected on the power of subtle, spontaneous moments in the film, highlighting how these elements – like the scene where Velu Nayakan gives paan to his son – brought a special depth and authenticity to the narrative. These moments, though not central to the plot, were crucial in elevating the emotional tone and realism of the story. While many scenes were significant, Mani Ratnam singled out the “Baba mar gaya” scene as pivotal.It was during the writing of this scene that the essence of Velu Nayakan’s character truly came into focus – a man capable of violence, yet deeply affected by its consequences, showing concern for the family impacted. This moment became the creative breakthrough that helped shape both the character and the trajectory of the entire film for him.About Nayakan 'Nayakan', which drew partial inspiration from the real-life story of Mumbai underworld figure Varadarajan Mudaliar, as well as cinematic influences such as The Godfather (1972), had an unconventional beginning. The film went on to become a milestone in Tamil cinema, winning both critical acclaim and box office success. It bagged several National Film Awards, including Best Actor for Haasan, and was India’s official entry to the 60th Academy Awards in the Best Foreign Language Film category.About Thug LifeMeanwhile, 'Thug Life', starring Kamal Haasan, Silambarasan TR, Trisha Krishnan, Abhirami, Joju George, and many more in key roles, is set to hit theatres on June 5.