Mani Ratnam – The Master Filmmaker of Indian Cinema
Personal Details:
- Full Name: Gopala Ratnam Subramaniam
- Stage Name: Mani Ratnam
- Date of Birth: June 2, 1956
- Place of Birth: Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
- Profession: Film Director, Screenwriter, Producer
- Active Years: 1983 – Present
- Production House: Madras Talkies
- Spouse: Suhasini Maniratnam (Actress, Filmmaker)
🔹 Career Overview
Mani Ratnam is one of India’s most celebrated filmmakers, known for his visual storytelling, strong narratives, and socially relevant themes. He has made a significant impact in Tamil cinema and has also directed successful Hindi, Telugu, and Malayalam films.
His films often focus on political drama, romance, family dynamics, terrorism, and human emotions with deep character exploration. His technical brilliance, especially in cinematography, music, and screenplay, sets him apart from other filmmakers.
🔹 Complete Filmography (Directed by Mani Ratnam)
1980s – Early Career & Breakthrough
1️⃣ Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983) – Kannada film; his debut as a director.
2️⃣ Unaru (1984) – Malayalam political drama.
3️⃣ Pagal Nilavu (1985) – Romantic drama starring Revathi.
4️⃣ Idaya Kovil (1985) – A love triangle musical.
5️⃣ Mouna Ragam (1986) – Classic romantic drama starring Revathi & Mohan.
6️⃣ Nayakan (1987) – Crime epic starring Kamal Haasan; inspired by The Godfather.
7️⃣ Agni Natchathiram (1988) – Stylish action-drama about stepbrothers.
8️⃣ Geethanjali (1989, Telugu) – Romantic drama; National Award winner.
1990s – National Fame & Bollywood Entry
9️⃣ Anjali (1990) – Emotional drama about a disabled child.
🔟 Thalapathi (1991) – Rajinikanth & Mammootty-starrer based on Mahabharata.
1️⃣1️⃣ Roja (1992) – Love story set against terrorism; introduced A.R. Rahman.
1️⃣2️⃣ Thiruda Thiruda (1993) – Heist thriller with experimental music.
1️⃣3️⃣ Bombay (1995) – Critically acclaimed love story set during communal riots.
1️⃣4️⃣ Iruvar (1997) – A masterpiece inspired by Tamil Nadu’s political history.
1️⃣5️⃣ Dil Se (1998, Hindi) – Shah Rukh Khan-starrer on terrorism and love.
1️⃣6️⃣ Alaipayuthey (2000) – Romantic drama; inspired Saathiya (Hindi remake).
2000s – Versatile Storytelling & Big Productions
1️⃣7️⃣ Kannathil Muthamittal (2002) – Critically acclaimed war drama.
1️⃣8️⃣ Aayutha Ezhuthu (2004) – Political thriller (remade as Yuva in Hindi).
1️⃣9️⃣ Guru (2007, Hindi) – Abhishek Bachchan-starrer inspired by Dhirubhai Ambani.
2️⃣0️⃣ Raavanan (2010, Tamil) / Raavan (2010, Hindi) – Modern take on Ramayana.
2010s – Experimental & Grand Visual Films
2️⃣1️⃣ Kadal (2013) – Spiritual drama set in a fishing village.
2️⃣2️⃣ O Kadhal Kanmani (2015) – Romantic film about live-in relationships.
2️⃣3️⃣ Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018) – Multi-starrer crime thriller.
2020s – Period Drama & Return to Glory
2️⃣4️⃣ Ponniyin Selvan: Part 1 (2022) – Based on Kalki’s historical novel.
2️⃣5️⃣ Ponniyin Selvan: Part 2 (2023) – Grand conclusion to the epic saga.
Awards & Honors of Mani Ratnam
National Awards (India) 🏆
Mani Ratnam has won 6 National Film Awards, a prestigious honor in Indian cinema:
1️⃣ Best Feature Film (Tamil) – Mouna Ragam (1986)
2️⃣ Best Feature Film (Tamil) – Nayakan (1987)
3️⃣ Best Feature Film on National Integration – Roja (1992)
4️⃣ Best Feature Film on National Integration – Bombay (1995)
5️⃣ Best Feature Film (Tamil) – Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)
6️⃣ Best Music Direction (Shared with A.R. Rahman) – Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)
🔹 Padma Shri (2002) 🏅
- Honored with the Padma Shri, India’s 4th highest civilian award, for his contribution to Indian cinema.
🔹 Filmfare Awards 🏆
Mani Ratnam has won 15 Filmfare Awards across various categories (South & Bollywood).
Filmfare Awards South
🏆 Best Director (Tamil) – Mouna Ragam (1986)
🏆 Best Director (Tamil) – Nayakan (1987)
🏆 Best Director (Tamil) – Agni Natchathiram (1988)
🏆 Best Director (Tamil) – Anjali (1990)
🏆 Best Director (Tamil) – Thalapathi (1991)
🏆 Best Director (Tamil) – Bombay (1995)
🏆 Best Director (Tamil) – Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)
Filmfare Awards (Bollywood)
🏆 Best Director – Roja (1992)
🏆 Best Director – Dil Se (1998)
🏆 Best Story – Guru (2007)
🔹 International Film Festival Awards 🌍
🎬 Venice Film Festival – Iruvar (1997) was nominated for Best Film.
🎬 Cannes Film Festival Screening – Bombay (1995) & Raavan (2010) were featured.
🎬 Rotterdam International Film Festival – Featured Kannathil Muthamittal & Raavanan.
🎬 Tokyo Film Festival – Special Jury Award for Guru (2007).
🔹 Tamil Nadu State Film Awards 🎭
🏆 Best Director – Nayakan (1987)
🏆 Best Director – Roja (1992)
🏆 Best Director – Bombay (1995)
🏆 Best Film – Kannathil Muthamittal (2002)
🔹 Other Honors & Achievements
📌 CNN-IBN Indian of the Year (Entertainment) – 2010
📌 IIFA Award for Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema – 2010
📌 Chevalier Award Nomination (France) – For his impact on cinema.
Personal Life
Marriage & Family
- Spouse: Suhasini Maniratnam (married in 1988) – A famous actress, filmmaker, and writer.
- Children: Nandan Maniratnam – Their only son, who prefers to stay away from the film industry.
- Mani Ratnam and Suhasini are one of the most respected couples in Indian cinema, known for their shared passion for storytelling.
SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS :
INSTAGRAM : https://www.instagram.com/maniratnam.official/?hl=en
FACEBOOK : https://www.facebook.com/maniratnam/
TWITTER : https://twitter.com/maniratnamfc?lang=gu
