Maniratnam the Discoverer of Talent

Director Maniratnam is lauded as India's premier filmmaker who elevated Tamil cinema to the world stage. Mani has also discovered new talents who have gone on to carve their own niches in Indian cinema.

Anil Kapoor

Yes Anil Kapoor, who ruled Bollywood before the Khan trinity took over got his first break as hero in Maniratnam's Kannada classic 'Pallavi Anupallavi' which was also the director's debut film. Needless to say, Anil is still one of the most sought after character actors.

Saranya Ponvannan

The favourite momma of today's heroes and heroines is a Maniratnam find and her very first 'Nayagan' was with the great Kamal Haasan.

Nirosha

The youngest daughter of the legend M.R.Radha was introduced in 'Agni Natchathiram' in which she has one of the most sexiest opening scenes for a heroine in which she not only seduced Navarasa Nayagan Karthick but also the audiences and today after more than a hundred films in all languages she is name to reckon with on television.

G.Umapathy

At a time when villains were loud and surrounded by goons who looked menacing, the 'Agni Natchathiram' villain G. Umapathy terrified audiences with his ordinary looks, but extraordinary performance which became the major highlight of the film. The famous Anand theatre owner Umapathy however died soon after but his only performance is a gem.

Baby Shamlee

Shamlee was three years old when she starred in 'Anjali' and Maniratnam had written such a character for her that 'Anjali Paapaa' is one of the most unforgettable child in the Tamil audiences minds. The film earned Shamlee the National Award for Best Child Artiste and today she is making her debut as heroine opposite Vikram Prabhu and Dhanush.

Girija

Maniratnam's 'Idhayathai Thirudathey' ('Geethanjali' Telugu Original) enjoyed a blockbuster run in Tamil as well mainly because of the sterling performance of Girija as the terminally ill Geethanjali. After a couple more films Girija a British resident is now a writer.

Arvind Swamy

In 'Thalapathy' Arvind Swamy debuted at the age of twenty two and was pitted against the two giants of Indian cinema Rajinikanth and Mammootty but held his own and garnered a huge fan following among the female audiences which is still intact. After a string of successfull films Arvind took a self imposed sabbatical in the nineties and much later in 2013 Mani again brought him back with his 'Kadal' and today Arvind Swamy is the most trending celebrity after his devilish turn as Siddharth Abhimanyu in 'Thani Oruvan'.

A.R.Rahman

Maniratnam gifted the Mozart of Madras to the world through his 'Roja' and needless to say the rest is history. Lovers of cinema all over the world wait to be bathed in the most exotic music every time the two come together. After 'O Kadhal Kanmani' the wait continues for the Karthi-Dulquer film to come.

Kitty

Raja Krishnamoorthy is a childhood friend of Maniratnam and also his frequent associate director. Mani introduced Kitty in Nayagan and has given him substantial roles in many of his films besides producing his debut debut film as director 'Dasarathan'. Kitty is still a popular character artiste.

Madhavan

Maddy as he is fondly called debuted in Tamil with 'Alaipayuthey' under Mani's direction and found instant stardom whose only rival in the female fan following arena is Arvind Swamy. Maddy then was part of four other Mani films and many other superhits with others and he like Arvind Swamy took a sabbatical and today he is doing a powerful role in Suda's 'Irudhi Suttru' which is likely to release this year end.

Prasanna

Among the younger brigade Prasanna is one actor who can carry the role of a hero, a villain or a character role with ease. He made hi