Pramadham … Top Anjuu. Review on Five Best Films of Mani Ratnam

Startled by the title , well don’t be … it just means Marvellous Top 5 in the tamil language. Mani Rathnam is a diamond in the list of film makers, its his silken touch in the movies that sets him apart from the rest. One cannot expect numerous movies in a year, but well crafted ones once in a while. Its this that keeps the viewers waiting for his movies. He carefully selects his story and makes even a simple story of Alaipayuthe (Saathiya in Hindi – directed by Shaad Ali for the hindi speaking audiences ) so unique just because of the way he treats it. It’s a daunting task selecting 5 movies of this maestro but as the topic demands all of us have to do so. At each step I kept asking myself … this or the other … but then I have managed to compile the five movies which stretch across Hindi and Tamil movies which he has directed.

Anjuu - Dil Se

This is the fifth movie in the top five. With all respect to humans if any director can make Shah rukh Khan act its Mani. The treatment of this movie is different , its mature , its realistic and symbolizes desire in an individual towards a woman , coupled with love for his motherland. Shah Rukh Khan , a television reporter falls in love with a woman in Assam .. only to find she is a Bodo Militant. He is engaged to another but then … she reappears only as a militant and not the demure girl he thought she would be …

Some unnecessary chops from the Censor board saw the flow of the movie disturbed a bit but … overall one of the best and certainly my Fifth in the top Five.

Naalu – Roja

I had to select from his numerous movies for this spot and I had three movies that vied this spot , Roja , Bombay and Agni Naksthatram but the path breaking Roja takes over. The first movie that openly dealt with militants in Kashmir and the birth of a new star music director the now internationally acclaimed A R Rahman. The moving camerawork , the cinematography , the locales, the background music, the performances , the direction … the movie is like a red rose among others … the Roja of movies.

Moonu – Nayakan

Another Gangsta movie based on Varadharajan Perumal the famed Dharavi gangster this one is a master piece and it hurts me to put it as the third movie rather than the first. Brilliant performance from Kamal hassan who gained weight for this movie to portray this character and even shaved off his famed Tamil Nadu “ Mustache”.

The realism of this movie and the way its grips you throughout is what makes this movie so special .One look at the movie and you know it’s a masterpiece.

Rendu – Anjali

A Children’s movie so to say but with a mature storyline , this one made it to the Best foreign Oscar movie from the Indian side , I really don’t recollect if it was nominated at all. This movie depicts the life of an Indian Couple in Chennai (Madras) with 2 kids, the lady is expecting a third and unfortunately its stillborn. Some joyful and suspicious moments later and it is discovered that the child was not stillborn but was mentally retarded and the husband doesn’t disclose.

This movie shows the Social attitude towards a mentally retarded toddler played brilliantly by Shyamala. A marvelous movie with marvelous music by Illayaraja who composed the music for the 500th time in Indian cinema with this one.

Onu – Mouna Raagam

Mani Ratnam’s first movie and undoubtedly my first choice. It depicts a reluctant girl being forced to marry a nice guy. They move to Delhi and she Despises him as she was in love with another. He persists but she asks for a Divorce , unfortunately in India the divorce can be sought after the first year of marriage is completed.

She the realizes her folly and starts understanding him as a good human being. Nothing great in the story line , it’s the treatment of the movie that does it all ..

Final Words

Some may agree some may not , but this is my list .. some movies which deserved to be in the list but couldn’t fit in are –

Kannathil Mutthamittal

Bombay

Dalapathi

Thiruda Thiruda