I thought the article said Roja lacked Mani Ratnam's touch in characterization. (ironically, Madhoo appears in fav. character list). The film seems to be character driven(than plot driven) for more than half !!
I think Mani is more intelligent rather than brilliant.He's got a good way of presenting things and that's what makes the day for him.I think he's repetitive.Anybody can make a MR movie. Dont believe me..take this... 1.Take an issue(eg,Deforestation) 2.A new handsome face as Hero(Shrikanth).The character shud b bubbly,make witty remarks,hug n propose 2 some old ladies n b charming. 3.Concentrate the 1st hour on hero's love life. In this case,hero is a forest officer.Heroine is the tribal chief's daughter. The tribal laws r very strict. But the hero gets into the gal's house n frightens her..tell me "i luv u" or i'll wake up ur father. Gal relents. add some emotional luv scenes(like uyire song in Bombay). 4.Then open up the deforestation issue. There's a politician behind this deforestation and a henchman.Hero runs frm pillar 2 post n shouts 2 everybody.Here u can put the cons of deforestation. Hero wud go 2 politician's house n show the grandchild n emotionally say 2 the villian "U r spoiling this kid's earth" 5.Last piece of forest remains. If deforestation happens,then the whole tribal village wud b destroyed in landslide. hero exhorts villagers,saves forest and gets gal.End
RE:Mani Ratnam is intelligent not brilliant.
by Bragadeesh Srinivasan on Sep 28, 2003 12:04 AM
Bala's Algorithm for making a Mani Movie is very funny and enjoyable.
Mani is certainly different from the rest of the pack but I should agree with Bala that, in trying to be different (or otherwise) he tends to repeat himself. Plus, I think non-tamils, hep-tamils and Bombay Tamils (Bangalore Tamils or "NRT"s - to coin my own term) find Mani's movies more realistic and engrossing than Tamils who "know" Tamil. Sometimes, in the pretext of being terse, his dialogs lack the depth and are utterly laughable (as in "Dalapati").
But that said, Mani never resorts to gimmickry and loud dialogs to make an impact. I should say, his movies are ones with the least mistakes (and not much heart?). Also he is not that good at comedy.
Nayakan, in my mind, is his greatest movie to date. It also has the best dialogs written for a Mani starrer.
RE:Mani Ratnam is intelligent not brilliant.
by shalini on Jan 04, 2004 07:20 PM
ha ha ha. unfunny, wise guy!! i don't think ANYBODY can make a Mani Ratnam movie.
RE:Mani Ratnam is intelligent not brilliant.
by raajas on Oct 10, 2006 03:38 PM
hello mr. have u seen any mani ratnam film yet .i think u failed to understand his films .eyes and heart should go in same wavelength while u r watching.ok.next time u see "kannathil..".follow my advice.u guyz cant understand the raesonable films u want "6 songs,3fights one sad song at end and everything should end well"type pucca commercial movies.u dont find them in mani sir's kit.
I too am a Mani Ratnam Fan, As rightly pointed Mani Ratnam has always managed to bring out the test from the cast. Be it superstars like Kamal Hassan or Mohnalal, who have undoubtfull proven their acting skills over the past, their performance is a par higher (mayb at their best) in Mani Ratnam Movies.
Some scenes I want to add which appealed to me.
1. Nayakan - Scene in which his Grandson asks Kamal "whether he is a good guy or a bad guy".
2.Iruvar-First scene, when the aspiring actor (potrayed by Mohanlal) enters a empty film studio.
3.Iruvar-Scene in which Anandan (Mohanlal) discovers the amount of supporters he has. He is taken on to top of the terrace of the building by his collegue (Prakash Raj) and ask to look out. And he sees the hysteric crowd waiting to see him. Anandan is obiviously stunted and cant make out how he being a mere actor is gathering such support from people. His collegue mentions to him "This is what people like Hitler, Stalin etc dreamed and utilised, now you have that power".
Iruvar to me on of 'the most' and intense political drama that has appeared in indian screens. A powerful enseble of politics, literature, poetry and magnificant visuals
An inspired article by a true cinema lover, I totally agree with Ratish on his list of favorite Mani movies. I would just like to go ahead and add 'Kannathil Muthamittal' to that list. Though Keertana, the child artists's tantrums were a tad intolerable, I particularly was stirred by Madhavan's performance which is obviously moulded by Mani's touch. And the other thing I am totally with is that Mani always brings the very best out of both music directors he's used. I'd love to confess, am as mad about Mani as anyone out there.
Well loved this article but one thing is missing is Bombay. I still feel its the best balance between commercial cinema and art film, ofcourse the only other film that is as balanced as bombay is Laagan! The greatest thing about Manirathnam is 1. he get's the best ever music possible , i wonder if somebody else can get Rehman to make Verapandikotayile or Enrenrum punnagai 2. He makes meaningful cinemas! Jillu.
You forgot about "Geethanjali". I feel its the best movie by Maniratnam after "Roja". Did you watch it or just ignored it be because its made in Telugu. Even Mani Ratnam never talks about it, though its one of his best films. You Tamil people are little bit biased and you glorify films made in tamil.
RE:Geethanjali ?
by Rathish on Aug 27, 2003 02:34 PM
I guess, it's really unfortunate that I've not seen the movie Geetanjali completely. But I stay with my telugu friends who are as crazy about movies as I am. So, I've heard lots about the movie. This article was a purely spontaneous effort - penning down thoughts as they dawn and believe me, there was no place for regionalistic biasses (whatever gave you that idea!!) As for telugu, I am a great fan of K.Vishwanath classics - abhathbandhavadu, sagara sangamam et al. And I guess I've seen most of the new releases including the fantastic - "Aithe". Regionalistic biassess!!!
RE:Geethanjali ?
by abhita on Aug 03, 2004 02:10 AM
Hi Vasanth, I would beg to differ here... let us take the example that you have quoted... actually, Kannathil Mutham ittal is a story about a kid and her parents... not about a nation or the ltte for him to focus on this. The story was about an adopted child, her search for her real parents, her reactions and views... and that of her parents... so I would say that Mani sir has indeed stuck to his story line and has been very very brave about it... if he starts his story with something, he shows you everything that there is to know about it!
You forget Geethanjali, probably the most natural and touching love-story ever made in India! The locales, the music and the little things in the script that only Mani Ratnam can bring out....These make Geetanjali stand out.
