Mani Ratnam figures among the top five directors of India.His movies have been a class apart creating a genre of his own.Most of the movies which are made in India are based on the fantasy type love stories but Mani Ratnams movies differs to speak about real life characters and situations.Outlining the top five movies of Mani ratnam is always a challenge since each one is at par is what I believe.Still to do justice to this review I am ranking them up based on the preference I would have if asked to make a choice.
- Velu Nayakan(Tamil)
This movies portrays the real life don Vardarajan Mudaliar of Bombay(Mumbai ofcourse!!) played by the talented, versatile veteran actor Kamal Hasan.The characterisation of the don adds glamour to the movie.The movie has been picturised in the real places like Dharavi, Chembur and Matunga of Mumbai.The whole potrayal of how KamalHasan comes to Mumbai and becomes the don of Mumbai is beautifully shown.Kudos to Maniratnam!!being a director from the south to make such a realistic movie.Kamal Hasan would not have been able to deliver such a performance without the help of Mani ratnam...I think this the best from him.
- Roja
The first movie in Hindi cinema which brought the stark reality of Terrorism to viewers.It won as much acclaim as was won by Velu Nayakan.The music by A.R.Rahman who made his debut with this movie was the highlight of the movie.The movie revolved round the story of young couple played by Arvind Swamy and Madhu who go for work cum Honeymoon to Kashmir and how they get trapped by the terrorists and terrorism.The whole movie brought home the dark picture of terrorists, terrorism and loss of lives happening in Kashmir.Direction by Mani ratnam was best in this movie.Pankaj Kapur playing the terrorist was beautifully portrayed.Mani ratnam with his fanciness to shoot in real places shot the whole movie in Kashmir.This movie remains in the memories of the viewers as the only picture of terrorism in Kashmir till date.
- Bombay.
I think this movie may rank at the top for most of the viewers but I think this is the best rank movie.This movie potrayed the Bombay riots which took place in 1991 after the demolition of Babri Masjid.The whole riots was the main point in this movie against the backdrop of a love story between a Hindu Brahmin boy played by Arvind Swami and Muslim girl played by Manisha Koirala.This movie helped Mani ratnam bag the best direction award.The music again by A.R.Rahman was one of the scoring points.The best point was the portrayal of the riots without any partialty.Both the communities felt that the riots shown actually reflected to what had happened.Eventhough this movie was mired with controversy it did win the much deserved acclaim.The direction was at its best.The scenes, the situations, the camera angles, the screenplay all synced together to create a masterpiece.
- Anjali
An unusual story of a mentally retarded girl named Anjali.In this movie Mani ratnam picked and directed a story most people would shun for its lack in commercial value.But here is where Mani ratnam scored.The movie with its emotions and fantastic acting by the child artist made viewers cry and relate with the movie.The movie had the theme of a young girl born with mental retardness.The father of the movie prefers to keep the girl in the asylum rather than taking her to the family.The mother played by Revathi discovers this and brings her back.Even though she was supposed to die within days she had survived long years.But eventuality catches up with the girl and she starts sinking and finally dies.The movie relied on the emotions of the girl and her mother.It was supplemented by the theme on children of the colony and their pranks.Even though the movie didnt score well commercially but it is worth a watch for all sensible movie goers.Mani ratnam shud be commended for making such a movie
- Dil Se
The much publicised Dil Se starring Shahrukh Khan and Manisha Koirala was not that big a sucess as hsi other movies but it still needs a mention.The whole story relied on the portrayal of a suicide bomber who is sent on the mission and how she is stopped by Shahrukh Khan.Best point was A.R.Rahman who won many awards for the music.The direction was first rate but I think this movie lacked the script.The movie is definitely worth a watch but it leaves you asking for much more.But for Mani ratnam the movie would not have made news at all.
Thats it guys.I have lined up my five movies.I hope you feel the same.Hope to see more of the classics from Mani ratnam...