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 !