Gopala Ratnam Subramaniam (born 2 June 1956) commonly known as Mani Ratnam, is an Indian film director, screenwriter and producer who predominantly works in Tamil cinema, based in Chennai. Widely regarded as one of the leading directors in Indian cinema, he made his directorial debut with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi in 1983. Despite a commercial failure the film earned critical acclaim and fetched an award for the screenplay at the Karnataka State Film Awards. Ratnam's following efforts were the Malayalam film Unaru (1984), and two Tamil films—Pagal Nilavu and Idhaya Kovil—both in 1985. He came into prominence after Mouna Ragam, a story that dealt with the friction between a newly–wed couple. He followed that with the Godfatheresque Nayagan (1987) that went on to gain national acclaim. The film was among the three Indian films to be named by Time magazine's list of All-Time 100 Greatest Movies. Ratnam made his only straight Telugu film to date, Geethanjali in 1989.Anjali released in 1990, depicting the story of a mentally disabled child. The film was submitted by India for the Academy Award consideration in the category of Best Foreign Language Film. He is well known for his "terrorism trilogy" consisting of Roja (1992), Bombay (1995) and Dil Se.. (1998). Ratnam is widely credited with having revolutionised the Tamil film industry and altering the profile of Indian cinema.Ratnam is married to actress Suhasini. In 2002 he was honoured with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian award given by the Government of India. Ratnam has won several film awards, including six National Film Awards. In addition to these, he is a recipient of a number of awards at various international film festivals.
G. Venkateswaran, G. Srinivasan, Sethu Sriram, Sharda Ratnam
Awards
Padma Shri, Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil, National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil, Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration, National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in I...
Nominations
Filmfare Award for Best Film, Filmfare Award for Best Director, Vijay Award for Favourite Director, Filmfare Award for Best Story, IIFA Award for Best Story, IIFA Award for Best Director, Zee Cine Award for Best Director, Guild Award for Best Screenplay, Guild Award for Best Director
Movies
O Kadhal Kanmani, Roja, Guru, Bombay, Dil Se, Thalapathi, Nayakan, Iruvar, Alai Payuthey, Kannathil Muthamittal, Mouna Ragam, Kaatru Veliyidai, Kadal, Raavan, Yuva, Ok Jaanu, Anjali, Raavanan, Ayitha Ezhuthu, Agni Natchathiram, Geethanjali, Thiruda Thiruda, Saathiya, Pallavi Anu Pallavi, Pagal Nilav...
Star Sign
Gemini
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Trademark
1
Often picturises critical moments in Rain or in a train
2
Uses music by A. R. Rahman since giving him his debut venture in _Roja (1992)_qv.
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Fact
1
Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. [2004]
2
Most of his films have been seen in both North and South India. Up to 2000, his films were dubbed in Hindi; Alai Payuthey (2000) was remade as Saathiya (2002) and Yuva (2004) was remade as Ayitha Ezhutu (2004).
3
He made his first movie 'Pallavi Anu Pallavi'(Kannada: 1983) without first hand experience in movie making. He approched Balu Mahendra (cinematographer, Pallavi Anu Pallavi), who was a big name in film industry and asked him to be the cinematographer for the movie. Balu asked if Mani had experience in movie making or attended a formal course in movie making or was present at a film shoot. For all the above Mani's answer was a simple 'No'! But Balu was convinced by the story and went on to make the movie which won the state award from Karnatak that year!
4
Brother of producer 'G. Srinivasan', producer 'G. Venkateswaranan' and producer Sethu Sriram.
5
Son of veteran film distributor 'Venus Ratnam'
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Studied in Vidya Mandir School, Chennai
7
Is a vegetarian
8
Every film he has delivered has been either extremely successful commercially or critically acclaimed. Has a penchant for making films with a well-defined theme and backdrop, but also excels at light hearted movies.
9
He has rarely shot in foreign locales. Most movies of his has been made within India. This, at a time when Directors need the lamest excuse to fly to USA, Europe or Australia to shoot just a song or two. Only Guru was shot in Turkey and Istanbul.
Writer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Kaatru Veliyidai
2017
filming
OK Jaanu
2017
story and screenplay
OK Kanmani
2015
Kadal
2013
Raavan
2010
screenplay
Raavanan
2010
story
Guru
2007
screenplay
Ayitha Ezhuthu
2004
Yuva
2004
screenplay
Saathiya
2002
story & screenplay
Kannathil Muthamittal
2002
screenplay / story
Alai Payuthey
2000
dialogue / screenplay / story
Dil Se..
1998
story and screenplay
Iruvar
1997
screenplay / story
Indira (Priyanka)
1996
screenplay
Bumbai
1995
screenplay / story
Thiruda Thiruda
1994
Gaayam
1993
screenplay / story
Roja
1992
Thalapathi
1991
screenplay / story
Anjali
1990
screenplay - as Mani Rathnam / story - as Mani Rathnam
$6 Million
