Mani Ratnam is back on direction front after 2014's much-acclaimed O Kandhal Kanmani. His next film, Kaatru Veliyidai, is again a romantic film depicting the love story of an air force officer. While the songs of this film are already chartbusters down south, thanks to the brilliant composition by AR Rahman, the film is a much-awaited affair for Ratnam fans all over the country.
Known as one of the most prominent directors in Tamil and Hindi Cinema, Ratnam has mastered the art of portraying different shades of love onscreen. From a love story set during riots to a breezy Gen Y romance, he has brought them all alive with his films. Let's take a look at some of the popular love stories directed by the auteur of romance.
Pallavi Anu Pallavi
The directorial debut of Ratnam, Pallavi Anu Pallavi is a 1983 Tamil film starring Anil Kapoor Lakshmi and Kiran Vairale. The film told the complicated story of a man who falls in love with an older woman and finds his true self and his desires through the experience. The film dealt with a very complicated space, yet the director carried it off brilliantly. Pallavi Anu Pallavi marked the entry of a legendary filmmaker who went on to touch the hearts of the audience with his narratives on love in every age and space.
Mouna Ragam
Considered as the breakthrough film in Ratnam's career, Mouna Ragam is a classic story about love, belongingness, and self-discovery. Starring Revathi, Karthik, Mohan, the story follows Divya's inner conflict between holding onto her past and coming to terms with the present and making a life with her husband while mourning the death of her lover. The film fared well at the box office and made Ratnam a popular name in Tamil industry and received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil, and Ratnam bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Director.
Roja
One of the most beautiful love stories of all times, Roja tells the story of an innocent girl who turns the world upside down in order to release her husband from terrorists. Touching upon the complicated matter of 'Free Kashmir', Ratnam weaved a love story around a serious topic very creatively. The film won three National Film Awards including Best Film on National Integration, catapulting Ratnam to national acclaim. The film also gained international acclaim with its nomination for Best Film at the 18th Moscow International Film Festival. The film was later re-released for international audiences in light of the growing fear of terrorist attacks across the world.
Bombay
After the success of Roja, Ratnam decided to make a series of love stories set in the backdrop of Indian politics. Touching upon love and human relationships, Bombay is set against the backdrop of communal riots. Starring Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala, the film was received well by the audience and critics alike and the music by AR Rahaman is still considered to be one of his best works. The bold and beautiful attempt by Ratnam, Bombay, is still regarded as one of the most acclaimed Tamil films.
Dil Se
One of the most soulful films of all time, Dil Se is regarded as a poetic genius by Ratnam. Starring Shah Rukh Khan and Manisha Koirala, the film was set in the backdrop of insurgency in Northeast India. Dil Se is said to be a journey through the 7 shades of love - attraction, infatuation, love, reverence, worship, obsession, and death, as defined in ancient Arabic literature. The character played by Shahrukh Khan passes through each shade during the course of the film. The complicated masterpiece was helmed brilliantly by Mani Ratnam.
Alaipayuthey
Starring R. Madhavan and Shalini, Alaipauthey explores the tensions of married life and matured love. The film tells the story of Karthik and Shakthi, who fall in love and get married against the will of their parents, and later start to experience the challenges of maintaining that bond. Ratnam's big step into the world of realistic, younger generation romance was later made in Hindi titled Saathiya starring Vivek Oberoi and Rani Mukerji.
O Kadhal Kanmani
One of the best love stories of recent times, O Kadhal Kanmani is a take on modern day relationships and how the younger generation tries to balance out their ambitions and desires. The film stars Dulquer Salmaan and Nithya Menen in the lead roles, portraying a young couple in a live-in relationship in Mumbai. OK Kanmani is a breezy yet realistic watch which connected with the viewers on another level. The film was remade in hindi titled OK Jaanu, starring Aditya Roy Kapur and Shraddha Kapoor.
Mani Ratnam has proved his genius time and again and his understanding of love is something no other filmmaker has been able to match yet.
Comments
0 comment