Nayak (2001): watch the full film free, legally

A cameraman faces Maharashtra's chief minister

Nayak: The Real Hero is a 2001 Indian Hindi-language political thriller co-written and directed by Shankar in his Bollywood directorial debut. Produced by A. M. Rathnam under the Sri Surya Movies banner, it is a remake of Shankar's 1999 Tamil-language film Mudhalvan. Anil Kapoor plays Shivaji Rao, with Rani Mukerji, Amrish Puri, Paresh Rawal and Johnny Lever in supporting roles.

Shivaji is an ambitious cameraman for Mumbai television channel QTV, working with his friend Topi. While covering riots caused by a fight between college students and a bus driver, he accidentally records a conversation in which Maharashtra Chief Minister Balraj Chauhan takes an indifferent position to protect his voter base. Shivaji saves a college student during the unrest, and Topi records the rescue. Shivaji is then promoted to senior television presenter.

After police inaction causes deaths and property damage, Chauhan agrees to a live interview with Shivaji. Shivaji broadcasts the recorded conversation and questions the government's handling of events. Chauhan says governing is difficult and challenges Shivaji to become chief minister for a day. Shivaji reluctantly agrees. With help from Bansal, he deals with housing and employment for people in need and suspends officials he considers inefficient or corrupt.

Shivaji has met Manjari, a carefree village woman, while working as a cameraman. When he asks her father for permission to marry her, the father refuses because Shivaji lacks government employment. Shivaji starts preparing for the Civil Services Examination. Bansal tells him that public support has grown, and, after Chauhan's henchmen vandalise QTV premises and crowds gather at his home, Shivaji agrees to contest the state election.

Shankar's first Hindi film

The project was announced in June 2000. Shankar said he remade Mudhalvan in Hindi because of its subject and made several changes to the original story. In an August 2001 Filmfare interview, he said he believed the topic was familiar to Indian people. Anurag Kashyap wrote the dialogue. A. R. Rahman composed the soundtrack, with lyrics by Anand Bakshi.

Aamir Khan was originally intended to play Shivaji, but Shankar said a communication gap arose because their views about Mudhalvan did not match. Shah Rukh Khan was then suggested, but did not want the part after playing a television presenter in Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani in 2000. Shankar chose Kapoor after initially being reluctant, deciding he was more suitable than the previous actors and noting his discipline.

Kapoor underwent physical training for six or seven months. He watched talk shows hosted by Larry King, Prannoy Roy, Rajat Sharma and Karan Thapar, adopting their way of speaking. Shivaji's name came from Rajinikanth's real name, Shivaji Rao Gaekwad, as Shankar had conceived Mudhalvan with Rajinikanth in mind. Kapoor also directed a scene featuring himself and Johnny Lever.

Shankar cast Mukerji as Manjari instead of Manisha Koirala, who played the role in Mudhalvan, because he wanted Mukerji's bubbly image for the character. Mukerji said she recognised Manjari's vibrant and uninhibited nature in herself. She agreed to appear after hearing the story from Kapoor, and Shankar asked her to perform the part in her own way. Sushmita Sen and Ahmed Khan made uncredited special appearances in “Shakalaka Baby.”

Filming across India

K. V. Anand handled principal photography at more than 100 locations in Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Rajasthan and Himachal Pradesh. A 22-day schedule in Mumbai, Pune and cities in Tamil Nadu began on 18 November 2000. Thota Tharani was art director, H. Sridhar was sound designer, and B. Lenin and V. T. Vijayan edited the film.

For “Shakalaka Baby,” Anand travelled to the United States to seek filmmaker Spike Lee's help. The song was filmed simultaneously with 34 cameras bought from German manufacturer Arri, operating at 100 FPS rather than 24. The plan took the film over budget, and Anand later spoke of regretting the idea.

Released on 7 September 2001, Nayak opened on 280 screens across India. Its production and marketing cost was ₹21 crore, and Box Office India estimated total earnings from India and overseas at ₹20.56 crore. Reviews were mixed. Sarita Tanwar of Rediff.com praised the plot, Kapoor's performance, production values and action. Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama found the second half weak but praised dialogue, particularly lines spoken by Paresh Rawal's character. Komal Nahta called Kapoor “splendid” and suggested cutting ten minutes from the lengthy duration.

Film details from the Wikipedia article “Nayak: The Real Hero”. Text adapted under CC BY-SA 4.0.