# Iravukku Aayiram Kangal (இரவுக்கு ஆயிரம் கண்கள்)
**Iravukku Aayiram Kangal** (இரவுக்கு ஆயிரம் கண்கள், "A Thousand Eyes for the Night") is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language action thriller directed by Mu. Maran in his debut, starring Arulnithi, Mahima Nambiar, and [Ajmal Ameer](https://www.edgepedia.org/ajmal-ameer), and built around a murder and a web of suspects whose stories unfold over a single night.[1](https://axessfilmfactory.com/movies/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/) • [2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/movie-review/64121773.cms) It was produced by G. Dilli Babu under Axess Film Factory and released on 11 May 2018.[1](https://axessfilmfactory.com/movies/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Title and language | Iravukku Aayiram Kangal (இரவுக்கு ஆயிரம் கண்கள்), Tamil |
| Release | 11 May 2018, theatrical; runtime 2 hours 1 minute; certified U/A[1](https://axessfilmfactory.com/movies/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/) • [2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/movie-review/64121773.cms) |
| Director and writer | Mu. Maran, in his directorial debut; he wrote the story, screenplay, and dialogue[3](https://www.moviebuff.com/iravukku-aayiram-kangal) |
| Lead cast | Arulnithi (Bharath), Mahima Nambiar (Suseela), Ajmal Ameer (Ganesh), with Anandaraj, John Vijay, Chaya Singh, Suja Varunee, Vidya Pradeep, and Lakshmy Ramakrishnan[1](https://axessfilmfactory.com/movies/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/) • [3](https://www.moviebuff.com/iravukku-aayiram-kangal) |
| Key crew | Music Sam CS; cinematography Aravind Singh; editing San Lokesh; stunts Ganesh Kumar[1](https://axessfilmfactory.com/movies/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/) |
| Premise | A series of incidents in one night, centered on a murder and the many characters connected to it[2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/movie-review/64121773.cms) |
| Reception | The Times of India gave 3.5/5; The Indian Express, Hindustan Times, and Behindwoods each gave 2.5/5[2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/movie-review/64121773.cms) • [4](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review-5173248/) • [5](https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-movie-review-a-murder-mystery-that-works-in-parts/story-ZWXVMDqNz617dLNon9qBDI.html) • [6](https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review.html) |
## Spoilers
### Plot and structure
The film follows Bharath (Arulnithi), a calm call-taxi driver in a relationship with Suseela (Mahima Nambiar), a nurse at a private hospital.[7](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2018/May/11/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review-a-well-written-racy-mystery-5947.html) Around them moves Ganesh (Ajmal Ameer), who leads a three-member extortion gang with Anita (Vidya Pradeep) and Maaya ([Suja Varunee](https://www.edgepedia.org/suja-varunee)), blackmailing people for money.[7](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2018/May/11/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review-a-well-written-racy-mystery-5947.html) Other threads include Roopali ([Chaya Singh](https://www.edgepedia.org/chaya-singh)), trapped in an unhappy marriage with Vasanth (John Vijay); Murugesan ([Anandaraj](https://www.edgepedia.org/anandaraj)), an older industrialist swindled by Ganesh; and Vyjayanthi (Lakshmy Ramakrishnan), a crime novelist who has written 49 novels.[7](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2018/May/11/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review-a-well-written-racy-mystery-5947.html) • [2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/movie-review/64121773.cms)
The Times of India synopsis states the premise directly: three strangers cheated by the fraud gang plan revenge on its leader and arrive at his home around the same time, where they find someone murdered.[2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/movie-review/64121773.cms) [The Indian Express](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-indian-express) described the film as a whodunit that also uses a hyperlink narrative and a non-linear timeline, asking viewers to piece the jigsaw together.[4](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review-5173248/) [Behindwoods](https://www.edgepedia.org/behindwoods) noted that the story starts from the first second and that the confined screenplay means a viewer who misses one scene may lose the flow.[6](https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review.html)
**Literary names.** Maran named his leads after famous characters of Tamil pulp fiction: Bharath and Suseela from Pattukkottai Prabakar's novels, Ganesh and Vasanth from Sujatha's Ganesh-Vasanth series, and Vivek and Roopala from Rajeshkumar's work.[7](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2018/May/11/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review-a-well-written-racy-mystery-5947.html) Cinema Express compared the film's racy, twist-heavy style to those dynamite pocket novels, which were prized for being short, thrilling, and free of heavy commentary.[7](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2018/May/11/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review-a-well-written-racy-mystery-5947.html)
## Production
Arulnithi announced the project in February 2017 as a thriller to be directed by debutant Maran for Axess Film Factory.[8](https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/arulnithi-announces-his-next-iravukku-aayiram-kangal.html) Maran had worked with [Suresh Krissna](https://www.edgepedia.org/suresh-krissna) on three films, assisted [K. V. Anand](https://www.edgepedia.org/k-v-anand) on *Ko*, been an associate to [Raghava Lawrence](https://www.edgepedia.org/raghava-lawrence) on *Kanchana 2*, and worked with director Arivazhagan.[8](https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/arulnithi-announces-his-next-iravukku-aayiram-kangal.html) Arulnithi said he accepted the film because he liked the story and Maran's narration.[8](https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/arulnithi-announces-his-next-iravukku-aayiram-kangal.html)
Shooting began on 30 March 2017 in and around Chennai, with major portions filmed at night to match the title.[3](https://www.moviebuff.com/iravukku-aayiram-kangal) • [9](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/arulnithi-to-sport-a-new-look-in-his-upcoming-crime-thriller/articleshow/57063660.cms) Mahima Nambiar was signed as the female lead in March 2017, playing a nurse, in a film set against the backdrop of Chennai's night life.[10](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/-mahima-to-pair-opposite-arulnithi/articleshow/57728055.cms) Maran said the screenplay's highlight was that the entire story happens at night, following the call-taxi driver after he gets caught in a problem.[11](https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/cinema/director-maran-speaks-about-iravukku-ayiram-kangal)
## Music
Sam CS composed the soundtrack and background score, released on the Think Music label with five tracks: "Uyir Uruvaatha", "Yea Pa Yeppappa", "Yea Pennea Neeyum", "Nights Of Neverland", and "Winds Of The Darkest Hour", with lyrics by Sam CS and vocals including [Chinmayi Sripada](https://www.edgepedia.org/chinmayi-sripada), Sathya Prakash, and [Haricharan](https://www.edgepedia.org/haricharan).[3](https://www.moviebuff.com/iravukku-aayiram-kangal) • [6](https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review.html) An early report in March 2017 had announced [Vishal Chandrasekhar](https://www.edgepedia.org/vishal-chandrasekhar) as the composer; the finished film is credited to Sam CS.[12](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/vishal-chandrasekhar-excited-composing-arulnithis-next/) • [1](https://axessfilmfactory.com/movies/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/) The Indian Express reviewer wrote that Sam CS's background score dictated the emotion of each scene, occasionally overpowering but always on track.[4](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review-5173248/)
## Reception
Critical response was mixed. The Times of India's Thinkal Menon rated it 3.5/5, calling the two-hour duration and racy screenplay the film's major attraction.[2](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/movie-review/64121773.cms) Cinema Express called it a well-written racy mystery aided by a large supporting cast, while faulting a second half that could not match the first and an ending short on closure for the many characters.[7](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2018/May/11/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review-a-well-written-racy-mystery-5947.html) The Indian Express (2.5/5) found the layered, twist-filled story concocted and convenient, with characters who bump into each other.[4](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review-5173248/) [Hindustan Times](https://www.edgepedia.org/hindustan-times) (2.5/5) called it a passable murder mystery that needed more thrills, noting the rainy-night setting carried a heavy *Dhuruvangal Pathinaaru* hangover.[5](https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-movie-review-a-murder-mystery-that-works-in-parts/story-ZWXVMDqNz617dLNon9qBDI.html) Behindwoods (2.5/5) praised Aravinnd Singh's visuals and their use of red and yellow, and San Lokesh's editing, but found most characters weakly drawn.[6](https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review.html) On BookMyShow the film held a user rating of 7.3/10 from more than 160 votes.[13](https://in.bookmyshow.com/movies/coimbatore/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/ET00055256)
## Aftermath
The film established Mu. Maran, who went on to direct *Kannai Nambathey* and the [G. V. Prakash Kumar](https://www.edgepedia.org/g-v-prakash-kumar) starrer *[Blackmail](https://www.edgepedia.org/blackmail-2025-film)* (2025); in a 2025 interview he recalled that his first film finished at the speed it was shot and released immediately.[14](https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/1371023-blackmail-director-maaran-interview.html) The film later streamed on SUN Nxt and aha Video.[15](https://www.komparify.com/entertainment/movie/iravukku-aayiram-kangal.amp)
## References
1. [Iravukku Aayiram Kangal, Axess Film Factory](https://axessfilmfactory.com/movies/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/)
2. [Iravukku Aayiram Kangal Review {3.5/5}, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movie-reviews/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/movie-review/64121773.cms)
3. [Iravukku Aayiram Kangal, Moviebuff](https://www.moviebuff.com/iravukku-aayiram-kangal)
4. [Iravukku Aayiram Kangal movie review, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/movie-review/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review-5173248/)
5. [Iravukku Aayiram Kangal movie review, Hindustan Times](https://www.hindustantimes.com/movie-reviews/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-movie-review-a-murder-mystery-that-works-in-parts/story-ZWXVMDqNz617dLNon9qBDI.html)
6. [Iravukku Aayiram Kangal review, Behindwoods](https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review.html)
7. [Iravukku Aayiram Kangal Review: A well-written racy mystery, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/reviews/tamil/2018/May/11/iravukku-aayiram-kangal-review-a-well-written-racy-mystery-5947.html)
8. [Arulnithi announces his next Iravukku Aayiram Kangal, Behindwoods](https://www.behindwoods.com/tamil-movies-cinema-news-16/arulnithi-announces-his-next-iravukku-aayiram-kangal.html)
9. [Arulnithi to sport a new look in his upcoming crime thriller, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/arulnithi-to-sport-a-new-look-in-his-upcoming-crime-thriller/articleshow/57063660.cms)
10. [Mahima to pair opposite Arulnithi, The Times of India](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/-mahima-to-pair-opposite-arulnithi/articleshow/57728055.cms)
11. [முழுக்க இரவில் நடக்கும் 'இரவுக்கு ஆயிரம் கண்கள்', Puthiyathalaimurai](https://www.puthiyathalaimurai.com/cinema/director-maran-speaks-about-iravukku-ayiram-kangal)
12. [Vishal Chandrasekhar Excited About Composing For Arulnithi's Next, Silverscreen India](https://silverscreenindia.com/movies/news/vishal-chandrasekhar-excited-composing-arulnithis-next/)
13. [Iravukku Aayiram Kangal, BookMyShow](https://in.bookmyshow.com/movies/coimbatore/iravukku-aayiram-kangal/ET00055256)
14. [மையப்புள்ளியாக 'பிளாக்மெயில்' - மு.மாறன் நேர்காணல், Hindu Tamil Thisai](https://www.hindutamil.in/news/cinema/tamil-cinema/1371023-blackmail-director-maaran-interview.html)
15. [Iravukku Aayiram Kangal streaming info, Komparify](https://www.komparify.com/entertainment/movie/iravukku-aayiram-kangal.amp)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Individual films by title and year › Indian films (individual works) › Tamil films of the 2010s › Tamil action and thriller films of the 2010s › Titles symbols to K*
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