Chatriyan
Chatriyan () is a 1990 Indian Tamil-language crime drama film, written and produced by Mani Ratnam under Aalayam Productions. The film was directed by K. Subash, an assistant of Mani Ratnam. The film stars Vijayakanth, Bhanupriya and Thilakan, while Revathi made a guest appearance as Vijayakanth's wife. The film has Vijayakanth playing Selvam, an honest cop and Thilakan as Annachi, a corrupt politician and mobster in the main villain role. This film ran more than 150 days in some theatres and was declared a "blockbuster" at the box office. The film is one of the biggest hit films  of the early 1990s and has attained cult status. The film features a highly acclaimed soundtrack and background score composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The 2016 film "Theri" was reported to be based on this movie. Plot. ACP Panneer Selvam aka Sathriyan (Vijayakanth), an honest cop, gathers enough evidence against a local goon named Arumai Nayagam aka Annachi (Thilakan). Annachi is sent to prison. He avenges his arrest by killing Sathriyan's wife Jaya (Revathi). Since then, Sathriyan quits the police force and takes care of his children, renting an apartment owned by V. K. Ramaswamy. Banu (Bhanupriya), the apartment owner's  granddaughter, gets introduced to Sathriyan's children and starts mingling with them, eventually falling in love with Sathriyan. Meanwhile, Annachi is released from prison and realizes that he does not carry the same respect as he used to before going to jail. Annachi challenges Sathriyan to join the police and fight him again. Sathriyan initially rejects the offer. Annachi tries to provoke Sathriyan by attacking his home and son. Out of frustration over his son's attack, Sathriyan joins the police and fights Annachi. Sathriyan's fight against Annachi forms the rest of the plot. Soundtrack. The music was scored  by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics written by Vaali. Reportedly, the songs of this film were composed in just one and a half hours by Ilaiyaraaja. The song "Maalayil Yaaro" was hugely popular and was set in Suddhadhanyasi raga. Track listing Release. "Chathriyan" was released on 17 October 1990 alongside other major releases including Kamal Hassan's "Michael Madana Kama Rajan" , Sathyaraj's "Mallu Vetti Minor" , Bhagyaraj's "Avasara Police 100" , Murali's "Sirayil Sila Raagangal" , Vikram's "En Kadhal Kanmani" , Nizhalgal Ravi's "Amman Kovil Thiruvizha" and Ramarajan's "Pudhupaattu". Raj Tilak's "60 Naal 60 Nimidham" and Murali's "Puthiya  Kaatru" were other minor releases. The film topped the Chennai box office on its opening weekend with 12 lakh distributor share.