Airaa
A 2019 Tamil horror film with Nayanthara in dual roles.
Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons
Airaa (transl. The beginning) is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language horror film written and directed by KM Sarjun. The film stars Nayanthara and Kalaiyarasan, and was produced by Kotapadi J Rajesh under the banner KJR Studios. It is notable for Nayanthara playing a dual role for the second time in her career, after Maya (2015).
- Release year
- 2019
- Language
- Tamil
- Genre
- Horror
- Director
- KM Sarjun
- Lead actress
- Nayanthara
- Production company
- KJR Studios
- Music director
- Sundarmurthy KS
Lore & Background
The film follows Yamuna (Nayanthara), a journalist who runs away from home to escape a marriage alliance and stays with her grandmother Parvathy (Kulappulli Leela). Meanwhile, Amudhan (Kalaiyarasan) investigates a string of deaths in the area. Yamuna, Parvathy, Mani (Yogi Babu), and Mani's nephew Babloo (Ashwanth Ashokkumar) begin making fake ghost videos on YouTube. Yamuna is haunted by a ghost, and after an attack, she learns her grandmother has died. Amudhan speaks to the ghost, Bhavani (Nayanthara), who says she needs to kill Yamuna.
Bhavani's backstory reveals a life of tragedy: born into a family that considered her cursed due to her dark complexion and a series of misfortunes, she was abused and eventually kicked out. She later reunited with Amudhan, who proposed marriage. On the wedding day, a series of delays—including Yamuna not holding an elevator door for her—led to Bhavani being hit by a lorry and killed. Bhavani then killed everyone who wronged her. Yamuna, feeling remorse, allows Bhavani to possess her body to marry Amudhan. Amudhan refuses to live with Bhavani in Yamuna's body and kills himself, saying they can be together in the afterlife. The film ends with Yamuna at their graves.
Reader's Guide
Airaa is significant as a women-centric horror film in Tamil cinema, featuring Nayanthara in a dual role that explores themes of guilt, redemption, and societal prejudice. The film's plot, while criticized for its illogical screenplay, attempts to address issues such as colorism, family rejection, and sexual assault. It marks KM Sarjun's second directorial venture after Echcharikkai (2018). The film's production wrapped in December 2018, and it was released theatrically on 28 March 2019 to negative reviews. Despite this, the film contributes to the genre of horror with a supernatural revenge narrative and a moral twist, where the protagonist sacrifices her body to atone for a moment of indifference.
Did You Know?
- Nayanthara plays a dual role in Airaa, her second time doing so after Maya (2015).
- The film was initially expected to be released on Christmas Eve but shooting was not completed until December 2018.
- The ghost character Babloo is revealed to be a vision and a ghost, not a real person.
- The film's music was composed by Sundarmurthy KS, with lyrics by Yugabharathi, Pa. Vijay, and Thamarai.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Airaa?
Airaa (translating to 'The beginning') is a 2019 Tamil-language horror film written and directed by KM Sarjun. It was produced by Kotapadi J Rajesh under the KJR Studios banner.
Who stars in Airaa?
Nayanthara takes on a dual role opposite Kalaiyarasan in the lead. It is her second time splitting a film between two characters, following her dual-role turn in Maya (2015).
Who wrote and directed Airaa?
KM Sarjun handled both the writing and the direction of the film. The project was developed under the KJR Studios production banner.
What genre and language is Airaa?
Airaa is a Tamil-language horror film that hit theaters in 2019. It is squarely placed in the Indian horror genre.
Why do fans single out Airaa in Nayanthara's career?
The film is a milestone because it marks her second dual-role performance, a feat she had last attempted in Maya back in 2015. Fans often cite it as proof of her willingness to take on demanding, split-character projects.
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