Mani Ratnam is currently the most reputed director of South Indian films as well as Indian cinema. Each of his films is unique in style, with beautifully photographed song sequences. He has dealt with a wide variety of topics, from the classic Indian love story to political thrillers.
Background
Mani Ratnam was born on 2nd June 1956, in Madurai city of Tamil Nadu, India. Born to Hindu Tamilian parents, he had two siblings, one of whom - G. Venkateswaran, a notable film producer, is no more. Mani's father - Gopal Ratnam Iyer was also a known film producer. Mani Ratnam did his graduation, in commerce, from Vivekananda College, University of Madras. Thereafter, he pursued an MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies. In the initial days of his career, he worked as a management consultant.
Education
He graduated with a degree in Commerce from Vivekananda College, University of Madras and an MBA from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies.
Career
Mani Ratnam's directorial debut was in 1983, through the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi.Mani's status was elevated further a year later writing Nayagan, directing the versatile Tamil actor Kamal Hassan for the film, which went on to become a legendary success in the industry.Ratnam wrote and directed Agni Natchathiram. The film was notable for use of new techniques in terms of camera framework, especially during the shoot of songs in the film. The film had a successful run in the box office.Ratnam maintained a momentum of making emotional stories of undeserved people through the Raghuvaran starring Chennai release Anjali in 1990.Mani later made another underworld-themed Tamil film with Thalapathi in 1991 starring Rajnikanth and Mammooty. With Thalapathi, Mani ended his association with music director Ilaiyaraaja, bringing in debutant music director A. R. Rahman to score his Tamil epic Roja.The film - starring Arvind Swamy and Madhoo - was released in 1992 and nominated for the Golden St. George Award at the Moscow International Film Festival.In 1995, Ratnam returned to Tamil language drama. Bombay starring Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala,Bombay was financially very successful and well appreciated by the critics. It won the Special Award from the Political Film Society, the Wim Van Leer In Spirit of Freedom Award at the Jerusalem International Film Festival and the Gala Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival.Ratnam decided to charter new territories in with his next film, making his debut in Hindi language films with Dil Se. The film had Hindi superstar Shahrukh Khan and Manisha Koirala in the lead. Preity Zinta made her debut in the movie.
Ratnam's following effort, Kannathil Muthamittal saw him tackling adoption through the eyes of a Tamil refugee from Sri Lanka searching for her biological mother. The film was a critically lauded commercial success, winning six National Film Awards, Ratnam's second Filmfare Award South for directing, his second In Spirit for Freedom Award at the Jerusalem Film Festival and an award at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles.2007 saw Ratnam direct the Madras Talkies production Guru starring Abhishek Bachchan. It became one of 2007's biggest hits.