Happy Birthday Mani Ratnam! Mani Ratnam is a revered Indian filmmaker known for his exceptional storytelling and innovative cinematic techniques. With a career spanning over four decades, he has made significant contributions to both South Indian and Bollywood cinema. Ratnam's films are celebrated for their compelling narratives, complex characters, and aesthetic brilliance.
As he celebrates his 68th birthday, here are seven of his best films that showcase his mastery in filmmaking: Nayakan (1987): A milestone in Tamil cinema, "Nayakan" stars Kamal Haasan as Velu Naicker, a character inspired by the real-life Mumbai underworld don, Varadarajan Mudaliar. The film delves into the transformation of an ordinary man into a powerful gangster. Its nuanced portrayal of crime, combined with Ilaiyaraaja's unforgettable score, made "Nayakan" a classic, earning it a spot in TIME Magazine's "All-Time 100 Best Films.
" Thalapathi (1991): Starring Rajinikanth and Mammootty, "Thalapathi" is inspired by the Mahabharata, specifically the friendship between Karna and Duryodhana. The film follows the life of an orphan (Rajinikanth) who becomes the loyal lieutenant of a local don (Mammootty). The intense narrative, combined with Ilaiyaraaja's stirring music, makes "Thalapathi" a significant entry in Ratnam's oeuvre.
Roja (1992): ' Roja' is a Tamil romantic thriller that gained national attention and was dubbed into several languages, including Hindi. The film tells the story of a young woman, Roja.
