The Most Memorable Mani Movies - 13

Yuva / Aayudha Ezhuthu (2004)

Increasingly confident of his hold on the North Indian audience, Mani Ratnam made this film simultaneously in two languages, Tamil and Hindi, with different headliners in each language.

The logistics involved -- a large number of scenes were shot simultaneously, which meant having to get the three heroes, as many heroines and support casts, from each language to one locale on one day -- make for a story in itself.

The film blends the story of three men whose lives collide in one apocalyptic moment; it is another attempt by the director to limn India's propensity for self-destructive violence.

Abhishek Bachchan as Lallan (Hindi) / Madhavan as Inbashekar (Tamil) is a criminal don, settled in Calcutta. He loves, marries, and abuses his wife, Sashi Biswas (Rani Mukerji) / Sasi (Meera Jasmine). Michael Mukherjee (Ajay Devgan) / Michael (Surya) is a student leader, who wants politicians like Prosonjeet Bhattacharya (Om Puri) / (Director Bharathiraja) Selva Nayagam , to keep away from college elections; He loves Radhika (Esha Deol) / Geetha (Esha Deol). And then there is Arjun (Vivek Oberoi) /Arjun (Siddharth) carefree and spoilt, in love with Mira (Kareena Kapoor) / Meera (Trisha Krishnan), who he just met, and who at one time wanted to relocate to the U.S., but then after meeting Michael, changes his mind and wants to be a politician. The paths of these three young men cross each others', resulting in violent changes in all their lives.

Soundtrack (Yuva)

The soundtrack features six songs by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Mehboob:

Dhakka Laga Bukka - A. R. Rahman, Karthik, Mehboob
Khuda Hafiz - Sunitha Sarathy, Lucky Ali, Karthik
Kabhi Neem Neem - A. R. Rahman, Madhushree
Dol Dol - Rap and lyrics by Blaaze, featuring ethnic vocals by Shahin Badar
Baadal - Adnan Sami, Alka Yagnik
Fanaa - A. R. Rahman, Sunitha Sarathy, Tanvi

Soundtrack (Aayitha Ezhuthu )

The soundtrack features 6 songs by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Vairamuthu.

Hai Goodbye Nanba - Sunitha Sarathy, Shankar Mahadevan, Lucky Ali, Karthik
Sandai Kozhi - Madhushree, A. R. Rahman
Nenjam Ellam - Adnan Sami, Sujatha
Dol Dol - Blaaze, Shahin Badar
Yaakai Thiri - Sunitha Sarathy, A. R. Rahman, Shalini Singh
Jana Gana Mana - A. R. Rahman, Karthik

Cinematography by Ravi K Chandran , Art Direction by Sabu Cyril

The Most Memorable Mani Movies - 12

Kannathil Muthamittal (A Peck on the Cheek) 2002

Is an award-winning Tamil feature film directed by Mani Ratnam. It stars P. S. Keerthana, Madhavan, Simran, Nandita Das and Prakash Raj. The film's score and soundtrack were composed by A. R. Rahman. The film's title is a famous phrase from a poem written by Subramanya Bharathy, which literally means a peck on the cheek. Through the eyes of a child of Sri Lankan Tamil parentage, who desires to meet her biological mother, Mani Ratnam explores war-ravaged Sri Lanka.

The film premiered at the 2002 Toronto International Film Festival, and was selected as India's official entry to the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. It also received a strong reception when screened at the San Francisco International Film Festival in 2003.

The third in Mani Ratnam's love-weds-terrorism scripts, Kannathil Muthamittal is the story of Amudha, who on her ninth birthday learns from her parents Thiruchelvan and Indra (Madhavan and Simran), that she is an adopted child. The attempt to find out more about her real parents brings Amudha all the way to war-ravaged Sri Lanka, where she finds out the truth behind her parentage.

The film is completely watchable just for child star Keerthana, who plays Amudha -- she went on to win a National Award for her believable acting as the confused and hurt child. Add to it the performances of Nandita Das, Simran, Madhavan and Prakash Raj, gorgeously picturised songs (and the most goosepimply song you will ever hear about the futility of war, sung by MS Viswanathan), and you have the complete package.

This is the first Mani Ratnam film where the songs do not intrude on the story; added luster comes from the cinematography of Ravi K Chandran.

Music

"Vellai Pookal" (5:05) – A. R. Rahman
"Sundari" (4:39) – Hariharan, Tippu, Sujatha, Karthik, Madhumitha
"Kannathil Muthamittal" (6:24) – Chinmayi, P. Jayachandran
"Signore Signore" (3:22) – Raafique, Noel, Anupama, Swarnalatha
"Vidai Kodu Engal Naadae" (6:16) – M. S. Viswanathan, Balram, Febi, A. R. Rehana
"Kannathil Muthamittal" (6:28) – P. Jayachandran

The soundtrack was released in 2002 along with the release of the film to acclaim, and quickly became popular. The score and soundtrack of the film fetched A. R. Rahman his fourth National Film Award for Best Music Direction and another National Film Award for Best Lyrics for lyricist Vairamuthu.

Awards

The film has won the following awards since its release:
2003 Jerusalem Film Festival (Jerusalem)
Won - In Spirit for Freedom Award - Best Feature - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam
2003 Los Angeles Indian Film Festival (USA)
Won - Audience Award - Best Feature Film - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam
2003 National Film Awards (India)
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Audiography - A.S. Laxmi Narayanan
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Editing - A. Sreekar Prasad
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Child Artist - P. S. Keerthana
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Music Direction - A. R. Rahman
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Lyricist - Vairamuthu
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Regional Film (Tamil) - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam
2004 RiverRun International Film Festival (USA)
Won - Audience Award - Best Feature - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam
2004 Film Fest New Haven (USA)
Won - Special Award - Achievement Award - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam
Won - Jury Award - Features (International) - First Place Winner - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam
Won - Audience Award - Feature (International) - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam
2004 Westchester Film Festival (USA)
Won - Best International Film - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam
2003 Zimbabwe International Film Festival (Zimbabwe)
Won - Best Picture - Kannathil Muthamittal - Mani Ratnam

One of Mani's great film and one of his film that has a unique title caption....Hat's Off !

The Most Memorable Mani Movies - 11

Alai Payuthey (2000)

All love stories in movies end in marriages, and a fairytale "happily ever after" ending. Or do they? Mani Ratnam explored the consequences of a hasty marriage between two lovers Karthik and Shakti (Madhavan and Shalini).
The film is a look at the tribulations that a newly-eloped couple undergoes in the initial months of their marriage, and how a crisis helps change their outlook towards life, and towards each other.

A highlight of Alai Payuthey was the way the story is narrated -- mostly through flashbacks, with a framing sequence set in the present that brings out the ironical aspects in the tale. Madhavan's debut in mainstream cinema established him as a romantic hero in the Tamil film industry, and the sharp insight into middle-class lives was well-received by both critics and film-goers.

Karthik (Madhavan) is an engineering graduate who happens to lay eyes on Shakti (Shalini), a medical student, at a wedding. The two meet regularly after their initial sighting, on suburban trains, to and from work and university. Karthik and Shakti eventually fall in love. Karthik's father Varadarajan, a lawyer, comes to learn of the two's relationship and approaches Shakti's dad Selvaraj. He asks Selvaraj, a railway employee, for his consent to a marriage proposal between the two young lovers. However, upon meeting, the two parents clash, and the wedding is called off. Shakti decides she will not get married without her parents' consent, and the relationship between herself and Karthik is called off altogether.

Unable to stay separated for very long, coupled with chance meetings, Karthik and Shakti find themselves resuming their relationship, albeit secretly, without the knowledge of their respective families. They decide to get married, without telling anyone, but carry on living with their parents, hoping that a time will come when both families will see eye to eye and can be told of the development. With the help of their friends, and Shakti's elder sister Poorni, their marriage is completed legally, and all the while, they continue to meet each other without their parents' knowledge.

Shakti's elder sister Poorni is approached with an engagement proposal soon after. Poorni is willing to accept the offer to marry the suitor - Raghu. The prospective groom's father offers his second son's hand in marriage to Shakti. Shakti's mother Saroja urges her to accept the marriage proposal, unaware of the fact that Karthik and Shakti are already together. Shakti eventually tells the truth, and Poorni's engagement is called off. Karthik and Shakthi are kicked out of their homes.

With the help of friends, Shakti and Karthik move into an apartment, in development. They cope for a while, however it's not too long before the couple start arguing over various issues that the two seemed so much more tolerant of before they got married. Marriage tension escalates. Shakti comes to learn that her father is seriously ill back home. She and Karthik decide it would be best to visit him. Upon arrival they learn that her father has passed away. Wracked with guilt, the two return home, their relationship taking a turn for the worse.

Meanwhile, Karthik takes it upon himself to sort out Poorni's adjourned marriage proposal to Raghu. He arranges a blind date between the two, which initially fails, backfiring on Karthik, however, with more meetings, Poorni and Raghu become closer. This development takes place without Shakti knowing. She and her husband have not spoken to each other for a long time. Karthik wishes to wait until Poorni and Raghu's marriage is confirmed before telling Shakti. Poorni is desperate to tell her sister the news herself. Whilst hugging Karthik, thanking him for his efforts, Shakti witnesses their close contact and mistakes it for something else, leading to an even bigger argument, and a trade of insults.

Shakti eventually learns of her husband's efforts in getting her sister married, and wants to thank him. Karthik sets off to the railway station to collect his wife, she has left the hospital where she works, but isn't on the train she usually takes. Karthik sits down on a nearby bench and waits for his wife.

Music
The music score that accompanies the film was composed by A. R. Rahman. The soundtrack features 9 songs composed by Rahman, with lyrics by Vairamuthu, except for the title song 'Alai Payuthey' (which was created by the 18th century Carnatic music composer Oothukkadu Venkatasubramanya Iyer, who also set it to the raagam Kaanada).

"September Madham" (5:08) – Asha Bhosle, Shankar Mahadevan
"Yaro Yarodi" (5:46) – Mahalakshmi Iyer, Vaishali, Richa Mahadevan
"Pachai Nirame" (5:58) – Hariharan, Clinton
"Alai Payuthey" (3:43) – Kalyani Menon, Harini, Neivelli Ramalakshmi, Swarnalatha
"Snehidhane" (6:05) – Sadhana Sargam, Srinivas
"Kadhal Sadugudu" (4:35) – S. P. Charan, Naveen
"Evano Oruvan" (5:56) – Swarnalatha
"Endendrum Punnagai" (4:00) – Clinton, Pravin, Srinivas, Shankar Mahadevan
"Mangalyam Thanthuna" (1:41) – Clinton, Srinivas

This soundtrack proved immensely popular upon release. The film’s title is named after a famous classical song composed by Uttukkadu Venkatasubbaiyer.

The Most Memorable Mani Movies - 10

Dil Se / Uyire (1998)

Shahrukh Khan is once said to have remarked in an interview, "I will drop anything for Mani, including my pants".

He didn't need to drop anything, except maybe a project or two, while teaming up with the director on the second of his love-weds-terrorism trilogy.

Amarkant "Amar" Varma (Shah Rukh Khan), an All-India Radio journalist living in Delhi, India, is dispatched to the troubled North-Eastern region to report on attitudes relating to the 50th Anniversary of Indian independence. He meets Meghna (Manisha Koirala) at a railway station and chats with her but a brief separation leads to Meghna's departure leaving Amar behind. Some weeks later he spots her in the street and accosts her but she resists and pretends not to recognise him, but Amar is highly attracted by her beauty and mysteriousness and continues to pursue her. After finding out her plans to visit Ladakh, he follows her with the convenient excuse of reporting on the local festivities and she gives him the slip there too, but not before two thugs who appear to know Meghna violently assault him to warn him off. Chastened by the beating, Amar heads home and coincidentally finds her on the same bus and good-humouredly describes his beating. Meghna sympathises with his plight and opens up a little before the bus breaks down and the passengers are forced to walk a two-day journey to their destination.

He finds her again; she has him beaten up; they are thrown together again; they fight the attraction. Amar leaves the troubled region to return to the safety of Delhi and a stable relationship with Preeti (Preity Zinta). Then Meghna shows up in Delhi and catastrophe follows.

The film was shot in Kashmir, Assam, Delhi and other parts of India and Bhutan over a period of 55 days. Its cinematography won a National Film Award for cinematographer Santosh Sivan. The film's score and soundtrack were composed by A. R. Rahman. A. R. Rahman received a Filmfare Award for the music. The film became the first Indian film to reach the Top 10 in the UK Box Office Charts, when released in 1998.

For the song Chaiyya Chaiyya, Shahrukh Khan, Malaika Arora and a dancing troupe are choreographed dancing on top of a moving train (on the Blue Mountain Train line around Udagamandalam in Southern India). The group did not wear safety harnesses during this scene.

Chaiyya Chaiyya is also the opening song of the second act of the musical Bombay Dreams.

It was recently featured in the opening and closing credits of Spike Lee's Inside Man (2006).

Soundtrack

The soundtrack features 5 songs composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Gulzar.

"Dil Se" (6:54) – A. R. Rahman, Anuradha, Anupama
"Jiya Jale" (4:12) – Lata Mangeshkar, M.G. Sreekumar
"Chaiyya Chaiyya" (6:52) – Sukhwinder Singh, Sapna Awasti
"Aye Ajnabee" (5:32) – Udit Narayan, Mahalakshmi
"Satrangee Re" (7:12) – Sonu Nigam

Award

The film has won the following awards since its release:
1999 Berlin International Film Festival (Germany)
Won - Netpac Award - Special Mention - Mani Ratnam
1999 National Film Awards (India)
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Cinematography - Santosh Sivan
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Audiography - H. Sridhar
1999 Filmfare Awards (India)
Won - Best Debut - Preity Zinta
Won - Best Lyricist - Gulzar
Won - Best Male Playback - Sukhwinder Singh for "Chaiyya Chaiyya"
Won - Best Music Director - A. R. Rahman
Won - Best Choreography - Farah Khan
Won - Best Cinematographer - Santosh Sivan
Nomimated-Filmfare Best Actress for Manisha Koirala

The Most Memorable Mani Movies - 9

Iruvar (1997)

Having dipped his foot in politics with Bombay, Mani Rathnam plunged deeper into the genre with a story broadly based on the symbiotic, love-hate relationship between matinee idol turned politician MG Ramachandran, and Muthuvel Karunanidhi, who scripted the films that made MGR iconic, before the two parted ways.

The characters of Anandan and Thamilchelvam, played by Mohanlal and Prakashraj respectively, come alive in a story that spans decades, starting with the duo's fledgling movie careers, in which Anandan's acting provides the onscreen persona required to carry off Thamilchelvam's fiery pro-Tamil dialogues.

The friendship breaks when both of them become involved in politics, and in a move that plays against Thamilchelvam's wishes, Anandan finds himself the leader of the political party by virtue of his star-power.

Intertwined into this tale are the various women who form a part of their lives, played by Aishwarya Rai, who makes her debut in a double role, Gautami, Tabu and Revathy.
In Iruvar, Mani Ratnam not only tackles a controversial topic (after all, MGR is revered as a deity in the South, and who can be foolhardy enough to deconstruct an icon?) but also uses his film as a homage to Tamil cinema.

Songs are scored and shot in the styles of the era -- Naramugaiye becomes a black-and-white mythological sub-story, while Poo Kodiyin features a heroine, clad in seventies-style flared blouses and long skirts, being coy around the stoic suit-clad hero. Unfortunately, the storyline itself did not endear itself to the masses, and it remains one of the underrated gems of Indian cinema.

Awards

The film has won the following awards since its release:
1997 Belgrade Film Festival
Won - Best Film of the festival of the Auteur Films - Iruvar - Mani Ratnam
1998 National Film Awards (India)
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Supporting Actor - Prakash Raj
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Cinematography - Santosh Sivan

The film's soundtrack features 6 songs composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Vairamuthu.
Track listing:

"Kannai Katti" (5:56) – Hariharan
"Hello Mister Edirkatchi" (4:12) – Harini
"Narumugaye" (6:20) – Unnikrishnan & Bombay Jayashree
"Venilla Venilla" (4:59) – Asha Bhosle
"Ayirathil Naan Oruvan" (5:51) – Mano
"Poo Kudiyil Punnagai" (5:31) – Sandhya

Trivia

Prakash Raj received a Best Supporting Actor award from M. Karunanidhi; the character he portrayed in the film is said to be loosely based on him.
Dialogues at the end of the film were penned by Suhasini Mani Ratnam.
Debut Film for Aishwarya Rai

This film is the history of tamil cinema!

The Most Memorable Mani Movies - 8

Bombay (1995)

The most memorable and controversional Mani's movie...nobody dare to direct this kind of subject but Mani did. This movie was banned in Malaysia , Pakistan and Singapore upon release.

In January 1993 sectarian rioting left 2,000 Hindus and Muslims dead in Bombay. Only two years later Mani Ratnam's audacious Tamil film Bombay (1995) used these events as a backdrop to a love story between a Hindu boy and a Muslim girl. Bombay was condemned by Muslim critics for misrepresentation and it was embroiled in censorship controversies. These served only to heighten interest and the film ran to packed houses in India and abroad.

A love story set in the turbulent times of the 1992 Bombay riots that followed the Babri Masjid controversy, this film was made especially poignant by the fact that the lovers involved are a Hindu boy and a Muslim girl.

The storyline of Bombay courted controversy as it was being made -- references to real-life events and political personalities are not viewed too kindly in Indian cinema. There were protests from religious leaders about scenes that offended communal sentiments, Manisha Koirala's Hyderabadi dialect in the Hindi version ensured that the film could not ever be released in Nizam territory, while distributors everywhere quaked in fear of impending protests by local interest groups.

Marred by an unrealistic ending and somewhat stereotypical characters, Bombay became a hit just by virtue of the controversy associated with it. The fact that Rajiv Menon's cinematography, AR Rahman's lilting tunes, Thotta Tharani's sets that recreated chawls in Bombay for the film on soundstages, Manisha Koirala and Arvind Swami's hard-hitting performances were above par makes the film worthy of a cine-goer's hosannas.

Awards
The film has won the following awards since its release:
1996 Political Film Society (USA)
Won - Special Award - Bombay - Mani Ratnam
1996 National Film Awards (India)
Won - Best Editing - Suresh Urs
Won - Nargis Dutt Award - Best Feature Film on National Integration - Bombay - Mani Ratnam
1995 Filmfare Awards (India)
Won - Best Film (Critics) - Bombay - Mani Ratnam
Won - Best Performer (Critics) - Manisha Koirala


Music
The soundtrack features score and 6 songs composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Vairamuthu.

Track listing:
"Antha Arabi" (5:16) – A. R. Rahman, Remo Fernandez
"Poovukku Enna" (5:51) – Noel, Anupama,
"Uyire Uyire" (7:22) – Hariharan, Kavitha krishnamurthy
"Kuchi Kuchi" (5:09) – Hariharan, Swarnalatha
"Kannalanae" (5:57) – Chithra
"Bombay Theme" (5:16) – A. R. Rahman

The track "Bombay Theme" from the soundtrack is an instrumental orchestral piece composed, arranged and conducted by A. R. Rahman. It was recently featured in the soundtrack and score of the Nicholas Cage film Lord of War, released in 2005. It also featured in Volume 5 of the chill-out compilation Café del Mar, released in 1998.

The Most Memorable Mani Movies - 7

Roja (1992)

Is a Tamil film directed by Mani Ratnam. The movie was subsequently dubbed in other Indian languages, catapulting Mani Ratnam to national acclaim.

This film's score and soundtrack were composed by A. R. Rahman, who debuted in this movie. This soundtrack is among the All Time Top 10 soundtracks listed by TIME magazine, issued in 2005.

Roja was dubbed in Hindi, Malayalam, Marathi, and Telugu. The film was recently re-released for international audiences in light of the growing fear of terrorist attacks the world over.

Roja revolves around one Man's love for his motherland and a wife's unfailing love for her husband. Roja (Madhoo) is a village girl, born and brought up in Southern Tamil Nadu. She prays that the handsome suitor and top cryptologist Rishi (Arvind Swamy), arriving in the village soon, accepts a proposal to get married to her sister. It soon emerges that Roja's sister is in love with another, and to everyone's surprise Rishi requests Roja's hand in marriage. Roja gets married to Rishi, and the couple move out of the village to live in the city. They both fall in love here, and settle down. Working for the Indian Government, Rishi is assigned a posting at an army communications center in Kashmir. Roja's world is shattered when Rishi is abducted by militant Kashmiri separatists who demand the release of their terrorist leader Wasim Khan from prison, held by Indian military forces. Roja pleads with politicians and the military for help, but she has little success. The film is set against the backdrop of the longstanding struggle between India and Pakistan over Kashmir, an issue that is still in the melting pot.

Awards

The film has been nominated for the following awards since its release:
1993 Moscow International Film Festival (Russia)
Nominated - Golden St. George Award - Mani Ratnam
The film has won the following awards since its release:
1993 National Film Awards (India)
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Music Director - A. R. Rahman
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Lyricist - Vairamuthu
Won - Nargis Dutt Award - Best Feature Film on National Integration - Roja - Mani Ratnam


Music

The soundtrack features score and 6 songs composed by A. R. Rahman, with lyrics by Vairamuthu.

“Rukkumani” (6:02) – S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
“Chinna Chinna Aasai” (4:57) – Minmini
“Kaadhal Rojave” (5:04) – S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
“Pudhu Vellai Mazhai” (5:18) – Unnimenon, Sujatha
“Tamizha Tamizha” (3:05) – Hariharan
“Chinna Chinna Aasai” (1:07) – Minmini

The Most Memorable Mani Movies - 6

Thalapathy (1991)

Dalapathy was Mani Ratnam's first star-studded release, featuring Rajnikanth, a man around whom it's difficult to create a character other than his on-screen persona, Malayalam superstar Mammooty, Arvind Swami in one of his early appearances, and Amrish Puri.
The film is about the thin line between relationships and loyalties; the storyline references the Mahabharata.

Rajnikanth is Surya, a reference to Karna. He is a foundling, as Karna was; if the warrior in the epic was Duryodhan's right hand man, here Surya is the enforcer for local don Devaraj (Mammooty).

Arjun (Arvind Swamy) is Surya's younger step-brother -- the character references the fabled Arjun of the Mahabharat. Epic confrontation scenes between the protagonists, clipped dialogues and well-rounded supporting characters made it a super-hit in South India.

Santosh Sivan's cinematography is a highlight of the movie; a gorgeous sunny glow permeates the frames, as a visual reminder of Surya. Illayaraja's foot-tapping numbers such as Rakamma, a slickly choreographed piece that rightly predestines the item numbers of the nineties, remain landmarks to this day.

The music score that accompanies the film was composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The soundtrack features 7 songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

“Yamunai Aatrile” (1:22) – Mithaali
“Raakamma Kaiyathattu” (7:10) – S. P. Balas, Swarnalatha,
“Sundari Kannal” (7:14) – S. P. Balas, S. Janaki
“Kaatukuyilu” (5:32) – S. P. Bala, Yesudas
“Putham Puthu Poo” (5:00) – Yesudas, S. Janaki
“Chinna Thayaval” (3:23) – S. Janaki
“Margazhithan” (2:39) – Chorus

The background score and soundtrack for the movie were very well received upon release. The songs "Sundari Kannal" and "Yamunai Aatrile" were particularly popular, as was the song "Raakamma Kaiyathattu."

The Most Memorable Mani Movies - 5

Agni Natchathiram 1988

Agni Natchathiram 1988 (Fire Star) (in reference to the hottest part of May in South India) (1988) is a Tamil feature film directed by Mani Ratnam. The movie is about two half-brothewho come into conflict with each other in their claim for legitimacy as sons of a common father. The cast includes Prabhu and Karthik. The movie's popular score and soundtrack are composed by Ilaiyaraaja. The film met with critical acclaim and commercial success upon release. The movie is regarded as a landmark in Indian cinematography with trend-setting lighting work by P. C. Sriram.

The film revolves around two half-brothers (Gautam and Ashok) who have the same biological father, and have trouble forming a familial relationship with each other. The story is centred around the brothers' lives with their respective girlfriends, and their relationships with their father. Meanwhile, their father, a local law enforcement officer, is struggling to diffuse the family tension at home and at work, he is absorbed in a case involving dangerous crime bosses and organisations. His life is soon at risk, and his sons may have to unite to save him.

The film was very popular for its comedy track involving V. K. Ramaswamy and Janagaraj. The famous line "No Thangamani, Enjoy!" is a popular colloquy that refers to any covert activity that does not involve one's wife's cognizance. The line was told by Janagaraj in the movie when his wife leaves him. Dejected at first, he then starts realizing what a pleasurable experience it is for him to live without his wife.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack features six songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Vaali.
Thoongatha Vizhigal - K. J. Yesudas, S. Janaki
Ninnukori Varanam - K. S. Chitra
Oru Poonga Vanam - S. Janaki
Raaja Raajathi - Ilaiyaraaja
Roja Poo Adivanthathu - S. Janaki
Vaa Vaa Anbe Anbe - K. J. Yesudas, K. S. Chitra

Agni Natchathiram never got the respect it deserved because it was released after Nayagan & Mouna Ragam.

The Most Memorable Mani Movies - 4

Anjali (1990)

The first Mani Ratnam film to be dubbed into Hindi, thereby making the director known beyond festival circles, Anjali is the story of a middle-class family suddenly thrown off-kilter by the introduction of a new member: a three-year old named Anjali (Baby Shamili), an autistic child with a terminal disease, whom the father (Raghuvaran) had concealed from the rest of his family.

His wife (Revathy) who had assumed that her third child had died at birth, and two children (Tarun and Shalini) have to come to terms with this revelation, and at the same time prepare themselves to lose the little girl.

The highpoint in Anjali is undoubtedly provided by the child artistes. The story is mostly told from the point of view of Anjali's two siblings, and the kids in the housing colony where the family lives.

To Ratnam's credit, he makes the children act without turning them into whiny brats or sugar-coated angels, the bane of child stars of the era. The choreography in the dance sequences are stunning, and the minimalist lighting makes the film an achievement in itself.

Awards

The film has won the following awards since its release:
1991 National Film Awards (India)
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Child Artist - Shamili, Tarun, Shruthi
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Audiography - Pandu Rangan
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Regional Film (Tamil) - Anjali - Mani Ratnam

Soundtrack

The soundtrack features seven songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics by Vaali.
Vaanam Nammuku
Motta Madi
Iravu Nillavu - S. Janaki
Anjali Anjali - Ila Arun
Something Something
Raathiri Nerathil - S. P. Bala
Vegam Vegam - Usha Uthup

Hat's off Mani Sir

The Most Memorable Mani Movies - 3

Geethanjali (1990)

While most of Mani Ratnam's movies have a romance angle going on, love usually gets overshadowed by the socio-political message -- which is why Geethanjali (Telugu, released in Tamil as Idhayathai Thirudaathey) comes as an exception.

One of the more frills-free romantic films he has made, this one's a winner just because of Illayaraja's music. The songs are spectacular -- the slow O Paapa Laali (which has become a perennial Telugu film music favourite), O Priya Priya (copied by the same name in the Aamir Khan-starrer Dil) and the foot-tapping Jallanta Kavvintha, in particular.

The film eschews the traditional young-lovers-beset-with-difficulties storyline. Here, the protagonists (Nagarjuna and Girija) are terminally ill patients, and their love teaches them to be strong in the face of impending death.

There is no over-abundance of sentimentality, as one might expect from such a storyline. In a way, this film evokes the same warmth that Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Anand brought to the screen, and is equally memorable. Much cannot be said of the Hindi remake Yaad Rakhegi Duniya.

Source : Rediff

THE MOST MEMORABLE MANI MOVIES - 2

Nayagan (1987)


Kamal Haasan + Mani Ratnam = The Godfather

Simply put, Nayagan is one of the finest moments in Indian cinema. The story of Velu Naiker, an ordinary slum-dweller in Dharavi who goes on to become an underworld don and a hero for the Tamil dwellers in Mumbai mirrored -- or, at least, was inspired by -- the life and times of Vardarajan Mudaliar.

But it was Ratnam's script and Kamal Haasan's seemingly-effortless portrayal of a man whose criminal career is marked with triumph and tragedy that makes Nayagan an epic cinematic presentation.

The cast also includes Saranya, Nasser, Delhi Ganesh and Janagaraj. The film music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, a well-known music director for Tamil films. The film also went on to win an Indian National Award for Kamal Haasan for his brilliant performance.

There have been more trumpeted remakes of The Godfather in India, and even a Bollywood remake of Nayagan, but Mani's vision makes this film stand miles higher than all other efforts.

It won three National awards -- Best Actor, Best Cinematography (PC Sriram) and Best Art Direction (Thotta Tharani); it was India's nomination for the Academy Awards in 1988 and, in 2005, was one of Time magazine's 100 Greatest Movies of all time.

Awards
The film has won the following awards since its release:
1988 National Film Awards (India)
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Actor - Kamal Haasan
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Cinematography - P.C. Sriram
Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Art Direction - Thotta Tharani

Soundtrack
The soundtrack features five songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja and lyrics by Vairamuthu.

Nee oru Kaadhal Sangeetham - Mano & S. Janaki
Thenpaandi Cheemayile - Ilaiyaraaja & Kamal Hassan
Nila Adhu Vaanathumele - Ilaiyaraaja
Naan Sirithal Deepawali - Jamunarani, Rajeswari, Chorus
Andhi mazhai megam- T. L. Maharajan and Chorus

STILL MANI RATNAM'S GREATEST MOVIE

The Most Memorable Mani Movies

Mouna Raagam (1986) - Silent Symphony

This was arguably the film that announced Mani Ratnam to the Tamil film industry as a talent to watch out for.

An excellent script by Ratnam himself, cinemotagraphy by PC Sriram and a lilting score by Illayaraja made it a hit with both critics and moviegoers.

The storyline is about a newly-married woman (Revathy) who refuses to forget her ex-lover (Karthik) in favor of her husband (Mohan). The latter graciously agrees to divorce her, but only after the court-stipulated one-year period.

The film is about the re-drawing of emotional boundaries during that period in limbo -- told with sensitivity, and a surprisingly sure touch from a novice.

Trivia

The film was very well received upon release, by critics and audiences alike, with the script, dialogue, acting and direction particularly gaining plaudits.

The film was an instant hit and earned Mani Ratnam due recognition for his filmmaking artistry and scriptwriting.

The film was featured at an Indian film festival in Israel in 2005.

The role played by Karthik as Manohar in this film is included in Roll of Honour of the Film and Television Institute of India (Pune) as one of the best supporting roles in a film.

Soundtrack

The soundtrack features five songs composed by Ilaiyaraaja, with lyrics provided by poet Vaali:

Nilavae Vaa - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Mandram Vandaa - S. P. Balasubrahmanyam
Chinna Chinna - S. Janaki
Oh Megam Vanthatho - S. Janaki
Panivizhum Iravu - S. Janaki, S. P. Balasubrahmanyam

The songs Nilavae Vaa and Mandram Vandaa proved particularly popular upon release.

Awards

The film has won the following awards since its release:

1986 Best Film
1987 National Film Awards (India)

Won - Silver Lotus Award - Best Regional Film (Tamil)

What a great movie from a great Director .... still fresh in my mind!

Source : Rediff & Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia