Mani Matters...

It's so hard to write about a man who talks very less. However, I find it very compelling to write about one of the greatest directors in Indian cinema- Mani Ratnam.

Many of Mani Ratnam's movies have been top award winners, most notably Nayagan, Roja and Mouna Ragam. Mani Ratnam is credited with making some of the best movies that have come out in Tamil Cinema. However, he is also known for the dialogues which are so sparingly used in his movies. One thing that stands out his movies is the characterization of his actors. Some of his characters which have been created have become so etched in the memory, that it is very hard to forget Velu Naickar (Kamal Haasan in Nayagan), Surya (Rajini Kanth in Thalapathi), Devaraj (Mamooty in Thalapathi),Anjali (Shamili in Anjali), Karthik (Madhavan in Alaipayuthey), Inba (Madhavan in Ayitha Ezhuthu), Michael Vasanth (Surya in Ayitha Ezhuthu), Gurukant Desai (Abhishek Bachchan in Guru) and quite recently- Veerayya a.k.a. Veera (Vikram in Raavanan).

If there is one man who can make even a stone act it's Mani Ratnam. His performance as a director is overshadowed by the performance of Shamili, who played the role of an autistic child who is loved by her family, detested by her society earlier and later how the same society learns to like her and love her. Such stories do not come every day in Indian cinema and such stories are very very hard to direct.

There have also been some movies of his which have been critically acclaimed such as Bombay, which is based on the Mumbai riots of 1993. One other critically acclaimed movie is Iruvar- featuring Mohanlal and Prakashraj in lead roles, a story loosely based on the lives of Former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister- Mr. M.G.Ramachandran and current Tamil Nadu Chief Minister- Mr. M. Karunanidhi. This movie did not make it big at the box office, however, it is known for the directorial brilliance showcased by Mani Ratnam. Probably one of the finest movies that Indian cinema has ever seen or known, for ages to come.

Some of his other efforts include the movies- Kannathil Muthamittal and Dil Se, which form the terrorism trilogy alongwith Roja. The 3 movies- Roja, Kannathil Muthamittal and Dil Se- focus on 3 of the Sub-continent's most violent areas. Roja- Kashmir, Kannathil- Sri Lanka and Dil Se- North East India. Mani Ratnam is also credited for the blockbuster romantic story- Alaipayuthey and for one other movie treading on political lines- Ayitha Ezhuthu (Yuva in Hindi).

Everyone has a peak and a crest. That goes the same for even Mani Ratnam. The latest position that Mani Ratnam has got himself into is that he has apparently forgotten how audiences receive movies in various parts of the country. Raavan and Raavanan (the tamil version of Raavan) was released simultaneously. Raavanan did better than its Hindi counterpart, thanks to some apparently better acting by Vikram, who plays the "title role". One flaw with the Mani Ratnam of recent times is that he is more intent on creating movies as bi-linguals and tri-linguals, mindless of who acts in the movie and how well a movie is accepted in each region. For example: Raavanan need not have been made as a tri-lingual. It seemed more of an effort to showcase Ash-Abhi on screen, after a good one in Guru. It must also be noted that there was a lot of effort for Raavan- the sets, the stunts, the entire crew which had put in months of hard work to make such a movie must be praised.

Adding to that is the legendary A.R. Rahman - Mani Ratnam combination. It has worked so well in the past but somehow failed to live up to expectations with the Tamil audio of Raavanan. It was so apparent that the lyrics was not given much of importance, as they were just made, or rather forced to suit the music that had already been created for Raavan.

Despite all those recent flaws, Mani Ratnam still remains one of THE BEST directors of all time. I know I am not even in the league, where I can critique his works, but still, as an admirer and an avid movie goer, all I can say is Mani Ratnam stands tall among his peers and contemporaries. Let's just hope his next one is far more successful and probably the best to come from him.

The state of TN

Tamil Nadu. One India's four southern states. The state which boasts of a classical language spoken with many different dialects and accents- ranging from the ones spoken by Thiruvalluvar to the ones spoken by auto drivers and news readers and actresses imported from god knows where.

This state also boasts of one of the "greatest" political dynasties of modern India- The Karunanidhis. M.Karunanidhi, the Chief Minister of the state and his big family, who dominate the political scenario in Tamilnadu, at present are known for their "service" to the Tamil people. Yes- you read it right- service to the Tamil people.

Let us take a look at this TN government till now- Achievements over the past few years- Building grade separators (Once they used to build flyovers). Building a new assembly complex. Burning down the Dinakaran office- work done by M.K.Azhagiri (The C.M.'s son). Settling up a feud between the CM and Mr. Dayanidhi Maran (the C.M.'s nephew). Kalaignar TV. Free Tv's to people.

Now, did I forget something? Ah. Yes- Ulaga Thamizh Semmozhi Maanadu. Supposed to be the ultimate tribute to thamizh and thamizh culture turned out to be yet another function where the CM was praised rather than our semmozhi itself.

Ok. Now lets stop blaming our C.M. What did you and I do? Yes, you and me. Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Shame.

 When the entire nation decided to protest against the petrol price rise, we decided that we will not have anything to do with it. So what if a bandh is not state sponsored? Don't we have the guts to stand up and say that "we don't want a fucking price rice in any commodity and you can fucking fuck off."? Yes. We DON'T have that guts and we don't give a damn.

At this point of time, I remember a few lines spoken by Padmashree Dr. Kamal Haasan in his movie- Unnaipol Oruvan. "If there is a bomb bast in northern India, we are not bothered, because it's not here. Not in Thamizhnadu. We are a peaceful state, that does not care about any other part of the country." This is also a bomb blast. A rice in prices every other day in India, when our neighbours sell petrol for less than what we pay- atrocity.

Things need to change. I know my writings cannot effect a change, atleast if one person reads this- next time there s something an entire nation does- that Thamizhan would probably do what he is supposed to do.

P.S: I am not pro-opposition nor am I pro-ruling. I am a person with neutral views on politics. I support what is right. I hope you too would support what is right.