Mani Ratnam the auteur of films and music turns 64 today

Mani Ratnam is one of the greatest filmmakers of our country. His craft and the way his stitches the frame with the music, chaos and characters are impeccable. Here are some of his films and songs which created something which stayed in all of us.




Bombay and Songs
Another specially stitched frame of Indian celluloid from Bombay, a film based on the riots in 1993. Bombay was Mani Ratnam’s another Love-Political Drama. With Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala play the lead. The music and songs of this film give us goosebumps every time we hear it. Bombay too earned the National Award for Best Film on national integration.

Back in the 90s, the soundtrack of Bombay created a revolution. It grabbed the staggering feat of becoming the largest selling Indian album of all time. It was also inducted in the prestigious overseas publication The Guardian’s ‘1000 Albums To Hear Before You Die’




Roja and Songs

A.R Rahman and Mani Ratnam have given us some of the most beautiful pieces of art in the form of their songs and music. The soundtrack of Roja is another example of it. A beautifully crafted cinema from virtuoso set in the backdrop of terrorism, Roja depicted love torn between politics and terrorism. AR Rahman debuted as a music composer with the film and won several awards.
Roja won 3 National Awards Best Film on National integration, Music direction and Best Lyrics.



Dil se and Songs

Another impeccable classic made with the combination of Mani Ratnam’s mind and AR Rahman’s music. The story which revolved around a love saga of a civilian and a terrorist. It was the third of Ratnam’s “Terrorism trilogy” that illustrated human relationships affected by Indian politics.

Time Magazine included it in ‘Best of Bollywood’ list. The film got a special mention for Ratnam at the Berlin International Film Festival. It won two National Awards for Best Cinematography and Best Audiography. The song ‘Chaiyya Chaiyya’ (Thaiyya Thaiyya) became insanely popular and got inducted into BBC’s poll on ‘Top 10 Songs of All-Time’.