Mani Ratnam
Mani Ratnam (born
June 2,
1956,
Madurai,
Tamil Nadu,
India) is a leading filmmaker (screen writer, director and producer) of the
Indian film industry.
Early life
He was educated at Jamnalalal Bajaj Insitute of Management, a noted management school in India. He got into
film direction with the help of his late brother, film producer
G. Venkateswaran.
Career
Mani Ratnam consistently chooses realistic, contemporary themes and complex plots for his movies in an industry often accused of making commercial, fairy-tale-like, formulaic movies. With a career spanning over two decades, he has been praised for handling serious issues whilst retaining a high entertainment factor in his films. Familial and marital hardships, terrorism, love, class and religious conflict, war, politics, adoption, history and disability are just some of the socio-political issues to have been featured in his films. His movies are generally made in the
Tamil language, but are usually also
dubbed into other languages like
Telugu and
Hindi, owing to their national appeal. He has also made films in other languages like
Hindi,
Malayalam,
Telugu and
Kannada.
Widely known for his ability to tread the middle way between artistic cinema and commercial cinema, working out a perfect recipe for all kinds of audiences, Ratnam's movies are further noted for their brilliance in technical aspects like art direction, cinematography and background score. His work has come to be recognised nationally and internationally, and in
2002, he was awarded the
Padma Shri.
*
The Mahabharata Trilogy (2008)
*
Lajjo (2007)
*
Guru (2006)
*
Aayitha Ezhuthu /
Yuva (2004)
*
Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)
*
Alaipayuthey (2000)
*
Dil Se (1998)
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Iruvar (1997)
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Bombay (1995)
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Thiruda Thiruda (1993)
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Roja (1992)
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Thalapathi (1991)
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Anjali (1990)
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Geethanjali (1989)
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Agni Natchathiram (1988)
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Nayagan (1987)
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Mouna Raagam (1986)
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Idaya Kovil (1985)
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Pagal Nilavu (1985)
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Unaru (1985)
*
Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983) In
1994, a retrospective of his
Tamil films was shown at the
Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF).
The characteristic elements of Mani Ratnam's films include memorable music by notable Indian composers
Ilayaraaja and
A. R. Rahman, a strong story line, sharp dialogue and innovative cinematography and art direction. He has worked with the best cinematographers in the country - notably
P. C. Sriram,
Balu Mahendra,
Santosh Sivan,
Ravi K. Chandran,
Rajiv Menon and the likes.
*
Netru, Indru, Naalai (2006)
* Mani's father Gopal Ratnam Iyer was a film producer.
* Mani's brother
G. Venkateswaran, popularly known as G.V. was also a film producer who committed suicide.
* Mani married to actress
Suhasini, niece of
Kamal Haasan and they have a 12-year old son Nandan.
* Mani co-founded and co-runs the independent production company
Madras Talkies along with his brother
G. Srinivasan.
*
Cinema of India*
List of movies by Mani Ratnam featuring A R Rahman*
*
Director Mani Ratnam*
Technical Analysis of Mani Ratnam Films*
Largest Fan club of Mani Ratnam*
A Mani Ratnam Interview *
Great article on Mani Rathnam and A.R. Rahman*
All the latest news about Mani Rathnam*
Mani Ratnam: Brief film descriptions*
Mani Ratnam - A Man in full
