'' Iruvar '' ( ) is a 1997 Indian Tamil epic political drama film co-written , produced and directed by Mani Ratnam . The film , which is loosely based on the relationship between cinema and politics in Tamil Nadu , features Mohanlal in the lead role along with Prakash Raj , Aishwarya Rai , Revathi , Gautami , Tabu and Nassar in other pivotal roles . Rai , a former Miss World , made her screen debut through this film playing dual characters . The high-budget film had its soundtrack composed by A. R. Rahman and the cinematography was by Santosh Sivan . It was dubbed and released in Malayalam in the same name and in Telugu as '' Iddaru ''
Miss World
Miss World 1994
Iruvar