Iruvar is a 1997 Indian Malayalam-language epic political drama film co-written, produced and directed by Mani Ratnam. The film, inspired by the lives of M. G. Ramachandran and M. Karunanidhi, is set against the background of cinema and politics in Tamil Nadu. It stars Mohanlal and Prakash Raj as friends turned political opponents, with Aishwarya Rai, Revathi, Gautami, and Tabu portraying the women in their lives.