| Irai | |
|---|---|
 Poster | |
| Genre | |
| Based on | Birds of Prey by Archana Sarat |
| Screenplay by | Manoj Kumar Rajesh Manjunath Rajesh M. Selva |
| Directed by | Rajesh M. Selva |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Ghibran |
| Country of origin | India |
| Original language | Tamil |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 6 (list of episodes) |
| Production | |
| Cinematography | S. Yuva |
| Editor | San Lokesh |
| Production company | Radaan Mediaworks |
| Original release | |
| Network | Aha Tamil |
| Release | 18 February 2022 (2022-02-18) |
Irai (transl. Prey) is an Indian Tamil-language crime thriller streaming television series produced as an Original for Aha Tamil, directed by Rajesh M. Selva. Produced by Radaan Mediaworks the series stars R. Sarathkumar in the lead role along with Nizhalgal Ravi, Abhishek Shankar, Sri Krishna Dayal and Gouri Nair. The series was based on the crime novel Birds of Prey written by Archana Sarat, and was initially announced with that same title. The series comprised six episodes and was released on Aha Tamil on 18 February 2022.
Synopsis
In autumn 1985, ACP Robert Vasudevan investigates the mysterious disappearances of men from the city's affluent families and finds an inexplicable pattern in the abductions, leading him and his team to one common link. Upon conclusion of the investigation, only one woman is standing between Robert and justice.
Cast
- R. Sarathkumar as Robert Vasudevan
- Nizhalgal Ravi as Subbaraj
- Abhishek Shankar as Sivakumar
- Sri Krishna Dayal as Ashok Kumar
- Gouri Nair as Devi
- Ravindra Vijay
- Gokul Anand
- Karuppu Nambiar as Manikandan
- Shrisha as Anita Subramaniam
- Sriranjani Prabhu
- Rethika Srinivas as NGO Head
- Vaanmadhi
- Dinesh Damodaran as S.I Rajeev
Reception
The series opened to positive reviews. Bhuvanesh Chandar of The New Indian Express rated the series with 3/5 stars, stating that, "What stands apart in this series is Sarath Kumar’s acting. The actor looks the part and is well-aware of what the role demands from him. Even in shots that can easily be tagged as ‘mass-y’, it is Robert who we see. Irai is also helped majorly by its splendid cinematography and editing. The transitions are creatively well done. If Irai goes on to tap into its enormous potential and rights its wrongs for the next season, it might just turn out to be our very own Happy Valley/Broadchurch. And we have waited long enough to deserve such content." OTTplay.com gave a rating of 2.5 out on 5 and wrote, "Irai is a web show that is appealing because of its genre and the lead. It offers viewers a crime thriller that is worth binging. However telling two stories simultaneously might throw off the audience a bit."
Episodes
| No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Original release date | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 1 | "The Ripple Effect" | Rajesh M. Selva | 18 February 2022 (2022-02-18) | |
| At the break of dawn, Kodaikanal suddenly becomes a hotspot for a high-profile influential politician missing case. Veteran police officer, ACP Robert Vasudevan is called in to investigate. | |||||
| 2 | 2 | "Skeletons In The Closet" | Rajesh M. Selva | 18 February 2022 (2022-02-18) | |
| Traveling back to late 80's the story unearths Sivakumar's dark past like a can of worms. In the present, Anita, the officer-in-charge of the case, begins to have second thoughts about Robert's eccentric ways of dealing the case. | |||||
| 3 | 3 | "The Past" | Rajesh M. Selva | 18 February 2022 (2022-02-18) | |
| Sivakumar dwells in torture in a dark and damp cellar. Robert takes a little detour to revisit a place that holds traumatic memories from the past. In Devi's timeline, she takes an unexpected decision that will forever change Swarna's life. | |||||
| 4 | 4 | "The Suspect" | Rajesh M. Selva | 18 February 2022 (2022-02-18) | |
| An international school in town, keeps catches Robert's attention in his investigation. Heera from the NGO becomes a primary suspect. | |||||
| 5 | 5 | "Lost & Found" | Rajesh M. Selva | 18 February 2022 (2022-02-18) | |
| A janitor from the school falls into the radar of Robert's suspects. Meanwhile, Sivakumar tries to execute his escape plan. In a mix-up of things, Robert ends up arriving alone to what could very well be the hideout of the kidnapper. | |||||
| 6 | 6 | "Truth Will Set You Free" | Rajesh M. Selva | 18 February 2022 (2022-02-18) | |
| Robert has a face-off with Sumithran. In astrange turn of events the other abductor surrenders to the police. As the case is being closed and normalcy returns, Robert is being lured to a door from the past. | |||||
References
- "Watch irai on Aha Video: Irai was picked up by Aha and made its digital debut on 17 February 2022". 17 February 2022.
- "Director Rajesh M Selva's web show 'Irai' to be out in 2022". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2021.
- "'Irai' Trailer: R. Sarathkumaar and Nizhalgal Ravi starrer 'Irai' Official Trailer". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 21 February 2022. Retrieved 17 February 2022.
- "Irai teaser out: Sarathkumar is a sleuth on a thrilling hunt". Cinema Express. 9 February 2022. Archived from the original on 29 September 2022. Retrieved 9 February 2022.
- "Actor Sarath Kumar to make OTT debut with Birds of Prey, see posters". Hindustan Times. 15 July 2020. Archived from the original on 12 September 2022. Retrieved 12 September 2022.
- "Irai to Mad Company, Aha announces new Tamil originals". Cinema Express. 13 February 2022. Archived from the original on 14 February 2022. Retrieved 13 February 2022.
- "Sarath kumar shines in a series that needed more depth". The New Indian Express. 19 February 2022. Archived from the original on 19 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.
- "Irai review: Sarathkumar's series is convoluted but offers some genuine moments of thrills". ottplay.com. Archived from the original on 18 February 2022. Retrieved 19 February 2022.