Mani Ratnam is a phenomenon in Tamil cinema who needs no introduction. Many critics have tried dissecting the enigma of his filmmaking style. Millions of fans still refer to his scenes and relish as if they have truly experienced the moment themselves. Mani Ratnam is the man who has a filmography that transcends modernism in a local cultural setup.

While his characters may find hold in culturally rooted atmospheres like Dulquer and Nithya in ‘OK Kanmani’, he gives leeway to their broad minded thinking in tandem with modern ideologies. Maybe that’s why as a director, Mani Ratnam manages to dish out relevant stories to our ages with worldly aspirations.  Even youngsters today, while revisiting his classics like ‘Mouna Raagam’, ‘Alai Payuthey’, ‘OK Kanmani’, ‘Bombay’ strike an eternal chord with us. 

And for people who grew up in politically confusing and tubulent times, Mani Ratnam lavishly spreads political treatment to his films as well even if its a pure heart touching romantic melodrama. This might be a reflection of the psyche of the younger generation during the director’s formative days. His ability to reflect big societal and moral questions has been a repeating motifs, from ‘Aayutha Ezhuthu’, ‘Kannathil Muthamittal’. And this ability of his makes him a socially relevant artist who knows to draw the line between activism by not being too much in our face.

Thus Mani Ratnam has managed to create teh elusive balance between being a mainstream director who also weaves realistic stories. One might even get goosebumps knowing that his ‘Nayagan’ was featured in the TIME magazine’s 100 All time greatest movies. The director’s collaboration with top technicians like AR Rahman, Ilayaraja, PC Sreeram, Rajeev Menon have helped him give us films with greater technical finesse and excellence.

One can even see Mani Ratnam through a three dimensional vision with respect to his film treatments: political, romantic, mythical. As a director who manages to weave compelling narratives, there is no doubt that his legendary storytelling will continue to charms us for ages to come. 

We have the director's 'Chekka Chivantha Vaanam' with a slew of actors like Vijay Sethupathi, Simbu, Arvind Swamy, Jyothika, Aishwarya rajesh to look forward to.

Here’s Indiaglitz wishing the prolific director many more happy returns of the day! Comment your favourite films and opinions on the director down below!