Advsunilnshah at 21:32, 28 April 2026

2026-04-28T21:32:16Z

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{{short description|Indian web series}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2022}}
{{Use Indian English|date=September 2022}}
{{Infobox television
| genre = {{plainlist |
* [[Crime thriller]]
}}
| director = [[Rajesh M. Selva]]
| screenplay = Manoj Kumar <br />Rajesh Manjunath<br />[[Rajesh M. Selva]]
| based_on = {{Based on|''Birds of Prey''|[[Archana Sarat]]}}
| music = [[Ghibran]]
| country = India
| language = Tamil
| location =
| cinematography = S. Yuva
| network = [[aha (streaming service)|Aha Tamil]]<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 February 2022 |title=Watch irai on Aha Video: Irai was picked up by Aha and made its digital debut on 17 February 2022 |url=https://www.aha.video/webseries/irai}}</ref>
| editor = San Lokesh
| company = Radaan Mediaworks
| executive_producer =
| producer =
| image = Irai_web_series_poster.jpg
| image_alt =
| caption = Poster
| starring = {{plainlist |
* [[R. Sarathkumar]]
* [[Nizhalgal Ravi]]
* [[Abhishek Shankar]]
}}
| num_seasons = 1
| num_episodes = 6
| list_episodes = Irai (web series)#Episodes
| first_aired = {{Start date|2022|02|18|df=y}}
| last_aired =
}}

'''''Irai''''' ({{Translation|Prey}}) is an Indian Tamil-language [[crime thriller]] [[streaming television]] series produced as an Original for [[aha (streaming service)|Aha Tamil]], directed by [[Rajesh M. Selva]].<ref name="Irai announcement ToI" /> 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.<ref name="Irai trailer ToI" /> The series was based on the crime novel ''Birds of Prey'' written by [[Archana Sarat]],<ref name="Irai teaser CE" /> and was initially announced with that same title.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 July 2020 |title=Actor Sarath Kumar to make OTT debut with Birds of Prey, see posters |url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/actor-sarath-kumar-to-make-ott-debut-with-birds-of-prey-see-posters/story-rqYVEOpXUdibdmMdJnB1wL.html |access-date=12 September 2022 |website=Hindustan Times |language=en |archive-date=12 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220912124426/https://www.hindustantimes.com/tv/actor-sarath-kumar-to-make-ott-debut-with-birds-of-prey-see-posters/story-rqYVEOpXUdibdmMdJnB1wL.html |url-status=live }}</ref> The series comprised six episodes and was released on [[aha (streaming service)|Aha Tamil]] on 18 February 2022.<ref name="Irai Aha CE" />

==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, there is only one woman who is standing between Robert and justice.

==Cast==
{{cast listing|
* [[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."<ref name="Irai review NIE" /> ''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."<ref name="Irai review OP" />

==Episodes==
{{Episode table |background=#295354 |EpisodeNumber = | EpisodeNumber2 = |title= |director= |airdate= |airdateR=|country=In |episodes=
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 1
|EpisodeNumber2 = 1
|Title = The Ripple Effect
|DirectedBy = [[Rajesh M. Selva]]
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|02|18|df=yes}}
|ShortSummary = 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.
|LineColor = #295354
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 2
|EpisodeNumber2 = 2
|Title = Skeletons In The Closet
|DirectedBy = [[Rajesh M. Selva]]
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|02|18|df=yes}}
|ShortSummary = 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.
|LineColor = #295354
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 3
|EpisodeNumber2 = 3
|Title = The Past
|DirectedBy = [[Rajesh M. Selva]]
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|02|18|df=yes}}
|ShortSummary = 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.
|LineColor = #295354
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 4
|EpisodeNumber2 = 4
|Title = The Suspect
|DirectedBy = [[Rajesh M. Selva]]
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|02|18|df=yes}}
|ShortSummary = An international school in town, keeps catches Robert's attention in his investigation. Heera from the NGO becomes a primary suspect.
|LineColor = #295354
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 5
|EpisodeNumber2 = 5
|Title = Lost & Found
|DirectedBy = [[Rajesh M. Selva]]
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|02|18|df=yes}}
|ShortSummary = 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.
|LineColor = #295354
}}
{{Episode list
|EpisodeNumber = 6
|EpisodeNumber2 = 6
|Title = Truth Will Set You Free
|DirectedBy = [[Rajesh M. Selva]]
|OriginalAirDate = {{Start date|2022|02|18|df=yes}}
|ShortSummary = 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.
|LineColor = #295354
}}
}}

== Release ==
Along with the original [[Tamil language|Tamil]] version, the series has also been released with dubbed version in [[Hindi]] & [[Marathi language]] titled as '''Kodai Diaries''' which is available to watch on [[Ultra Media & Entertainment|Ultra Play]] & [[Ultra Media & Entertainment|Ultra Jhakaas]] app respectively.

== References ==
<references>

<ref name="Irai announcement ToI">{{Cite web |title=Director Rajesh M Selva's web show 'Irai' to be out in 2022 |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/regional/tamil/director-rajesh-m-selvas-web-show-irai-to-be-out-in-2022/videoshow/88130186.cms |url-status=live |access-date=6 December 2021 |website=[[The Times of India]] |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929073531/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/regional/tamil/director-rajesh-m-selvas-web-show-irai-to-be-out-in-2022/videoshow/88130186.cms?from=mdr }}</ref>

<ref name="Irai trailer ToI">{{Cite web |title='Irai' Trailer: R. Sarathkumaar and Nizhalgal Ravi starrer 'Irai' Official Trailer |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/web-series/mx-play/tamil/irai-trailer-video-r-sarathkumaar-and-nizhalgal-ravi-starrer-irai-official-trailer-video/videoshow/89635445.cms |url-status=live |access-date=17 February 2022 |website=[[The Times of India]] |archive-date=21 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220221134210/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/entertainment/web-series/mx-play/tamil/irai-trailer-video-r-sarathkumaar-and-nizhalgal-ravi-starrer-irai-official-trailer-video/videoshow/89635445.cms }}</ref>

<ref name="Irai teaser CE">{{Cite web |title=Irai teaser out: Sarathkumar is a sleuth on a thrilling hunt |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/videos/2022/feb/09/irai-teaser-out-sarathkumaris-a-sleuth-on-a-thrillinghunt-29644.html |url-status=live |access-date=9 February 2022 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |date=9 February 2022 |archive-date=29 September 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929073533/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/videos/2022/feb/09/irai-teaser-out-sarathkumaris-a-sleuth-on-a-thrillinghunt-29644.html }}</ref>

<ref name="Irai Aha CE">{{Cite web |title=Irai to Mad Company, Aha announces new Tamil originals |url=https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2022/feb/13/irai-to-mad-company-aha-announces-new-tamil-originals-29714.html |url-status=live |access-date=13 February 2022 |website=[[Cinema Express]] |date=13 February 2022 |archive-date=14 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220214092102/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/tamil/news/2022/feb/13/irai-to-mad-company-aha-announces-new-tamil-originals-29714.html }}</ref>

<ref name="Irai review NIE">{{Cite web |title=Sarath kumar shines in a series that needed more depth |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2022/feb/19/sarath-kumar-shines-in-a-series-that-needed-more-depth-2421121.html |url-status=live |access-date=19 February 2022 |website=[[The New Indian Express]] |date=19 February 2022 |archive-date=19 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220219084127/https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2022/feb/19/sarath-kumar-shines-in-a-series-that-needed-more-depth-2421121.html }}</ref>

<ref name="Irai review OP">{{Cite web |title=Irai review: Sarathkumar's series is convoluted but offers some genuine moments of thrills |url=https://www.ottplay.com/review/irai-review-sarathkumars-series-is-convoluted-but-offers-some-genuine-moments-of-thrills/cdbfbf64e05 |url-status=live |access-date=19 February 2022 |website=ottplay.com |archive-date=18 February 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220218083950/https://www.ottplay.com/review/irai-review-sarathkumars-series-is-convoluted-but-offers-some-genuine-moments-of-thrills/cdbfbf64e05 }}</ref>

</references>

== External links ==
*{{IMDb title|16227378}}
*''[https://www.aha.video/webseries/irai Irai]'' at [[aha (streaming service)|Aha Tamil]]
*''[https://www.ultraplay.in/series/kodai-diaries/40ziu9rtibdq Kodai Diaries (Hindi)]'' at [[Ultra Media & Entertainment|Ultra Play OTT]]
*''[https://www.ultrajhakaas.com/series/kodai-diaries/bf1zhzjcwi7h Kodai Diaries (Marathi)]'' at [[Ultra Media & Entertainment|Ultra Jhakaas]]

[[Category:Aha (streaming service) original programming]]
[[Category:Tamil-language thriller television series]]
[[Category:2022 Tamil-language television series debuts]]
[[Category:Television shows set in Tamil Nadu]]
[[Category:Tamil-language crime television series]]
[[Category:2022 Tamil-language television series endings]]
[[Category:Tamil-language web series]]

Irai TV series - Revision history

Advsunilnshah at 21:32, 28 April 2026