Director Mani Ratnam Biography
Mani Ratnam is a renowned Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer, known for his works in Tamil cinema and a few Hindi, Telugu, Malayalam, and Kannada films. He has won numerous awards, including six National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards. Ratnam began his career in the film industry with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi in 1983.
His fifth directorial venture, Mouna Ragam (1986), established him as a leading filmmaker in Tamil cinema. He is well known for his terrorism trilogy of Roja (1992), Bombay (1995), Dil Se.. (1998), and his romantic trilogy of Mouna Ragam (1986), Alaipayuthey (2000), O Kadhal Kanmani (2015). His latest film, Ponniyin Selvan: I, broke several box-office records and grossed more than ₹500 crore (US$63 million). Mani Ratnam is married to actress Suhasini Maniratnam, and they have a son together.
Director Mani Ratnam Early Life And Education
Mani Ratnam was born on 2 June 1956 in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, to a Tamil Brahmin family. His father, S. Gopala Ratnam, was a film distributor, while his uncle, S. Balachander, was a well-known film director. He completed his schooling in Chennai and then went on to pursue a degree in commerce from Loyola College in Chennai.
After completing his post-graduation in management from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai, he started his career as a management consultant. However, he soon realized that his true passion lay in filmmaking, which led him to enter the film industry.
Career Beginnings
After completing his post-graduation in management, Mani Ratnam started his career as a consultant. However, he soon developed an interest in filmmaking and made his directorial debut with the Kannada film “Pallavi Anu Pallavi” in 1983. Despite receiving critical acclaim, the film failed commercially, and Ratnam’s subsequent films also didn’t perform well at the box office. This led to a shortage of offers, but Ratnam persisted and continued making films.
Director Mani Ratnam Top 10 Movies
- Nayakan (1987) – A powerful crime drama that tells the story of a man who becomes a don to protect his people.
- Roja (1992) – A love story set against the backdrop of terrorism in Kashmir, this film is a poignant exploration of the human cost of political conflict.
- Thalapathi (1991) – A modern retelling of the Mahabharata, this epic film features two iconic actors, Rajinikanth and Mammootty, and explores themes of loyalty, sacrifice, and betrayal.
- Dil Se.. (1998) – A love story that takes place against the backdrop of insurgency in northeast India, this film is a visual and musical feast, with stunning performances by Shah Rukh Khan and Manisha Koirala.
- Bombay (1995) – A poignant love story set against the backdrop of the 1992 riots in Mumbai, this film explores the themes of communal harmony and religious extremism.
- Mouna Ragam (1986) – A romantic drama about a woman who must choose between her past and present loves, this film is a classic example of Mani Ratnam’s ability to weave together music, romance, and drama.
- Iruvar (1997) – A political drama that explores the relationship between two friends who become rivals in the world of Tamil Nadu politics, this film features powerful performances by Mohanlal and Prakash Raj.
- Alaipayuthey (2000) – A romantic drama about a couple who must navigate the challenges of marriage and family life, this film features a beautiful soundtrack by composer A.R. Rahman.
- Anjali (1990) – A heartwarming drama about a family who must come to terms with the death of their young daughter, this film explores themes of grief, loss, and redemption.
- Kannathil Muthamittal (2002) – A poignant story about a young girl who learns about her adoption and sets out on a journey to find her birth mother, this film is a powerful exploration of identity, family, and the human experience.
The Rise To Fame
Director Mani Ratnam rise to fame started with the release of his fifth directorial venture, “Mouna Ragam,” in 1986. The film, which explored the complexities of marriage and relationships, was a critical and commercial success and established him as a leading filmmaker in Tamil cinema.
His next film, “Nayakan,” which was released in 1987, further cemented his position as one of the most talented filmmakers in the country. The film, which depicted the life of a Mumbai don, was a huge critical and commercial success and won several national and international awards.
Over the years, Mani Ratnam has continued to make films that are critically acclaimed and commercially successful, exploring a range of themes and genres. He is known for his unique style of storytelling and his ability to blend realism with commercial elements, making his films accessible to a wide range of audiences.
Personal Life
Mani Ratnam is married to actress Suhasini Maniratnam, and they have a son named Nandan. Both Suhasini and Nandan have appeared in some of Mani Ratnam’s films. The couple has been married since 1988 and is known to keep their personal life very private. Mani Ratnam is known to be a private person and keeps himself away from the media spotlight as much as possible.
Awards and Recognitions
Mani Ratnam has won several awards and recognitions for his contribution to Indian cinema. He has won six National Film Awards, four Filmfare Awards, and six Filmfare Awards South. In addition to this, he has also received numerous awards at various international film festivals across the world.
In 2002, the Indian government honoured him with the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian award in the Republic of India. In 2010, he was honoured with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Glory to the Filmmaker award at the 67th Venice International Film Festival.
In 2011, he was awarded the prestigious Chevalier de l’Ordre des Arts et des Lettres (Knight of the Order of Arts and Letters) by the French government. In 2017, he was awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images (MAMI).
Mani Ratnam is also a recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest award in Indian cinema, for the year 2018.
conclusion
In conclusion, Mani Ratnam is a celebrated Indian film director, screenwriter, and producer who has made a significant contribution to Tamil cinema and Indian cinema as a whole. With a career spanning over four decades, he has directed numerous critically acclaimed and commercially successful films. He has won several prestigious awards and honours for his work, including six National Film Awards and four Filmfare Awards. Mani Ratnam continues to be a major figure in the Indian film industry, and his movies have left an indelible mark on the hearts of movie-goers.
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