A Mani Ratnam movie to me is more than just two-and-a-half hours of enthrallment. The first Mani Movie (we’ll call it MM) I saw was 'Nayagan'. Often called "The Godfather" of Tamil cinema, as it portrays the life of an underworld don in Mumbai. The storyline is said to be based on the life of Varadaraj Mudaliar, it’s the intricate plot weaving that makes the film so very watch able every single time. Incidentally I was exposed to the concept of a brothel and a cabaret number in this movie! The last dialogue in movie wherein Kamal's grandson asks him, 'If he was a good or an evil man?' made Kamal look like God!
'Agni Nakshatram' was the next one I could manage to catch. How did he get the 100 kg Prabhu stuff himself into the clothes and role of the Asstn. Commissioner of Police; that too with so much style and poise! Foot tapping numbers... an effervescent Karthik, saucy Nirosha, chirpy Amla...A complex recipe dished out to perfection!
With 'Anjali' the subject of mentally challenged children's acceptance (rather rejection) by society at large was brought to light, set against a very entertaining background. Now how did he manage to get the five-year old to emote to excellence? It still leaves me spell-bound!
The Palaghat Ponnu that I am, I am addicted to Mamooty and Rajnikanth to equal lengths..Imagine the experience of having them share the screen with 'Thalapathi'! Adding to the feast were Shobana (undoubtedly possessor of the best pair of eyes!) and Bhanupriya (here its more than just eyes!). Woww...(demi) Gods on screen?
1992, is a significant year for me..my entry into the teens! 'Roja' just complemented it. Arvindswamy (the most good-looking guy only after my dad!) and Madhu (didnt like her much actually...J?) paired up on this romantic-patriotic (one and the same?) fable! I began paying attention to tamizh lyrics only post Roja...thanks to ARR! And my favourite number...Puthu Vellai Mazhai...is something I am in awe of till date! How did he get this idea of having the hero play the role of a Cryptologist? I mean, I never knew something like that existed...and I tried hunting for anyone belonging to that tribe until sometime back...when I decided to 'make-do' with a project manager instead!
Bombay, Iruvar, Alaipaayuthey, Kannathil Muthamittal, Yuva...I can go on!
Summarising (thanks to Client communication over the years...)
A MM to me meant -
- An actor nearly playing God!
- Gutsy Screenplay
- Foot tapping Music
- Lyrics that linger on
- Earthy Narration
Now cut to the present...
'Guru'..the recent most MM...the release I had waited for over an year eagerly...catching up on filmy news website (which I detest otherwise!), wikipedia (yes..theres a lengthy post on Guru there!) .... counting Fridays for the release....turned out to be such sheer disappointment.
My heart goes out to Aka-Abhishek (for more than being touted as the Abhi-Ash duo!). The sauve and stylish actor has given his 100% to turn out as the Rustic Gujju Bhania!
Screenplay seemed so dull...with deliberate attempts hitting out at the face in trying to carve a larger-than-life image of the hero (having very very close resemblance to Dhirubhai Ambani!)
What were the women doing in the movie anyway..Ash's presence was more of a cosmetic initiative. And Mallika Sherawat...I am sure she was meant to portray a role more than that of an 'item-girl'! Comeon...boy...you could clearly make out bad-editing job in the section of the movie where she's made an appearance. Was it not 'politically-right' to link the character to a lady who had the Oomph element in her? And what was the last scene about...equating the hero's character to that of Father of the nation? No Mani...Not You!
I bought the music CD long before the release of the movie...and am still lost trying to tap my foot to a number. Except for one song rendered by Hariharan...rest prove beyond doubt..that ARR needs a self-invigorating break!
Lyrics...Cant remember a single song by the first name! Trust me I tried hard to name the Hariharan song....No luck so far!
What seemed lacking to me in the movie is the complete lack of context... so its so very impertinent to talk about the narration at all! Now I dont dare watch the tamil version of the movie ever...
I am a believer of - 'Things must get really bad for them to get any better'. Hopefully this is true with MMs too...
Until Manirathnam decides to weave his magic again...I'll miss the magical MM moments! Hopefully the wait isnt too long!
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the way this genius spaces his works magically coincide with milestones in my life! For me mani rathnam begins with mauna raagam. Was still in my pedal pushers (in an era when it still was part of kiddie attire!) obviously did not follow a thing! And then one grew up and saw it again or rather saw it and grew up much later! This was mani rathnam before rahman – n the music was stellar – ilayaraaja!
Nayagan of course remains a favourite –first keyhole view into Bombay - and the big scene and sound that remains outside the music and perhaps the best background score I’ve ever heard is kamal hasan’s wail!
I agree arvind swami is the only other chap (yes, other than my dad too!!) I know who can look great with follicular hair under his nose! And roja did the same for my need to understand words in a language that was not mine!
the other big one was kannathil… - the music, the story and the little child keerthana with her big big eyes! The title track is definitely among my top 5s.
n of course dil se – maybe for its untouched quality, maybe because that was a period I myself was trying to understand violence and beauty.
this the mai rathnam I miss!
one could go on but guess for that one must finally launch one’s own blog!
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