Nayagan (1987) is directed by Mani Ratnam, one of India's most acclaimed filmmakers. The film starring Kamal Haasan is considered a masterpiece and was India's official entry to the Oscars. Mani Ratnam is known for his technically brilliant and socially conscious films. The other directors listed - Arunachalam, K.S. Ravikumar, and S.P. Muthuraman - are prominent Tamil directors but not associated with Nayagan.