Overview
A gripping tale of ambition and betrayal unfolds in the world of politics and cinema.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Mild
- serious
- sweeping
- melancholic
- historical cinema night
- Indian cinema deep dive
What critics said
Critics broadly responded positively to the film’s ambitious political drama, historical scope, and performances.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Anandan’s rise as an actor becomes central to Tamil Selvam’s party strategy and mass appeal.
The protagonists and party leadership evoke real Tamil political personalities and the Dravidian political movement.
Anandan and Tamil Selvam begin as collaborators but become opposing candidates after their leader’s death.
Film production, party activity, public appearances, and leadership contests are presented with a heightened historical scale.
Films like Iruvar, and why
Nayakan
political biography, filmmaking, and the intersection of celebrity with public power
The Last Emperor
historical political drama shaped by charismatic leaders, ideology, and moral compromise
The Leopard
cinematic examination of political ambition and personal rivalry within a vividly realized historical milieu
Movie Details
- Director
- Mani Ratnam
- Release Date
- 1997-01-14
- Runtime
- 140 min
- Rating
- 7.5 / 10 (54)
Cast
- Mohanlal
- Prakash Raj
- Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
- Gautami Tadimalla
- Revathi
- Tabu
- Nassar
- Kaaka Radhakrishnan
- Major Sundarrajan
- Rajesh
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Iruvar about?
- A sweeping Tamil political drama traces how an actor and a writer-leader transform friendship into a struggle for public power.
- What is Iruvar like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Iruvar as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Iruvar violent?
- Only mildly. Ember rates the violence in Iruvar as mild.
- What did critics think of Iruvar?
- Critics broadly responded positively to the film’s ambitious political drama, historical scope, and performances.
- Which films are like Iruvar?
- Films with a similar feel include Nayakan, The Last Emperor, and The Leopard.
- How long is Iruvar?
- Iruvar runs 140 minutes.
- Where can I watch Iruvar?
- In United States, Iruvar is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube.
