Mani Ratnam is an Indian film director, producer, and screenwriter who predominantly works in Tamil films. He is known for creating films such as Roja (1992), Nayakan (1987), Bombay (1995), Dil Se (1998), Kannathil Muthamittal (2002), and Guru (2007).
Contents
Wiki/Biography
Mani Ratnam was born as Gopala Ratnam Subramaniam on Saturday, 2 June 1956 (age 67 years; as of 2024) in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India. His zodiac sign is Gemini. He studied at Vidya Mandir Senior Secondary School and Besant Theosophical School. He has a bachelor’s degree in commerce from Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College. He studied MBA in Finance from Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
Weight (approx.): 70kg
Hair Colour: White
Eye Colour: Black
Family & Caste
Mani Ratnam was born in a Tamil Brahman family.
Parents & Siblings
Mani Ratnam’s father, S. Gopala Ratnam was a film distributor. He has a sister, Sharda Ratnam and two brothers, G. Venkateswaran and G. Srinivasan. G. Venkateswaran was a chartered accountant and a film producer for Venus Films. In 2003, he passed away at the age of 55 by committing suicide.
G Venkateswaran
Mani Ratnam and G. Srinivasan founded Madras Talkies, an Indian entertainment company, in Chennai, in 1995.
G Srinivasan
Wife & Children
Mani Ratnam married Indian film actress, director, producer, and writer, Suhasini Maniratnam in 1988. She is a niece of Indian actor, Kamal Haasan, and has won a National Award for her performance in ‘Sindhu Bhairavi’ (1985).
Mani Ratnam with his wife Suhasini
Their son, Nandan Maniratnam, was born in 1992. He is an alumnus of Oxford University, England.
Suhasini with son Nandan Maniratnam
Other Relatives
Mani Ratnam’s uncle is a famous film producer, S Krishnamurthy also known as Venus Krishnamurthy. He was a founder of Venus Pictures and is known for producing films such as Uthama Puthiran (1958), Nazrana (1961), and Manchi Vadu (1973).
Religious Views
Mani Ratnam is an atheist.
Signature/Autograph
Signature of Mani Ratnam
Career
Films
Kannada Film
In 1983, Mani Ratnam wrote and directed ‘Pallavi Anu Pallavi.’ The film was highly praised by the critics.
Poster of the film Pallavi Anu Pallavi
Malayalam Film
In 1984, Mani Ratnam directed a political drama, ‘Unaroo.’
Poster of the film Unaroo
Tamil Films
In 1985, Mani Ratnam wrote and directed ‘Pagal Nilavu.’ In 1986, he wrote and directed a critically acclaimed film, ‘Mouna Ragam.’
Poster of the film Pagal Nilavu
In 1987, he wrote and directed ‘Nayakan.’ In 1990, he wrote and directed ‘Anjali.’ In 1992, he wrote and directed the box-office hit film, ‘Roja.’ In 1995, he wrote, produced, and directed a highly acclaimed film, ‘Bombay.’
Poster of the film Bombay
In 2004, he wrote, produced, and directed ‘Aayutha Ezhuthu.’ In 2010, he wrote, directed, and produced ‘Raavanan.’ In 2020, he wrote and produced ‘Vaanam Kottattum.’ In 2022, he wrote, produced and directed ‘Ponniyin Selvan – Part 1.’
Poster of the film Ponniyin Selvan Part-1
Telugu Films
In 1989, Mani Ratnam wrote and directed ‘Geethanjali.’ In 1993, he wrote the story of ‘Gaayam.’
Poster of the film Geethanjali
Hindi Films
In 1998, Mani Ratnam wrote, produced, and directed ‘Dil Se.’ In 2002, he produced and wrote ‘Saathiya.’ In 2004, he wrote, produced, and directed ‘Yuva.’
Poster of the film Dil Se
In 2007, he wrote, produced, and directed ‘Guru.’ In 2007, he wrote and produced ‘Ok Jaanu.’
Poster of the film Ok Jaanu
Web Series
In 2021, Mani Ratnam wrote and produced ‘Navarasa’ for Netflix.
Poster of the web series Navarasa
Controversies
Falsely accused of cheating film distributors of Rs. 16 crore
In 2013, Mannar Mannan of Mannan Films alleged that Mani Ratnam had cheated him of Rs 16 crore over the distribution rights for the film, ‘Kadal’ as the film failed to impress at the box office. Mani Ratnam was forced to take police protection against Mannan Films. However, the case was soon resolved and the Madras High Court found that the case was falsely filed by Mannan Films to hurt the reputation of Mani Ratnam. Mani then filed a countersuit against Mannan Films of Rs. 5 crore for the damages that he suffered due to the false case.
Awards & Honours
1983
- Mani Ratnam won the Karnataka State Film Award for Best Screenplay for ‘Pallavi Anu Pallavi.’
1986
- Mani Ratnam won the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil for ‘Mouna Ragam.’
- He won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for ‘Mouna Ragam.’
1988
- He won the Third prize in the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film for ‘Agni Natchathiram.’
1989
- Mani Ratnam won the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil for ‘ Geethanjali.’
- He won the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment for ‘ Geethanjali.’
1990
- Mani Ratnam won the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil for ‘Anjali.’
- He won the Nandi Award for Best Story Writer ‘Geethanjali.’
- He won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for ‘Anjali.’
1991
- Mani Ratnam won the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil for ‘Thalapathi.’
1992
- Mani Ratnam won the V. Shantaram Award for Best Director for ‘Roja.’
- He won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director for ‘Roja.’
- He won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration for ‘Roja.’
1995
- Mani Ratnam won the Special Award at the Political Film Society Awards for ‘Bombay.’
- He was awarded Honorable Mention at the Jerusalem Film Festival for ‘Bombay.’
- He was honoured with the Gala Award at the Edinburgh International Film Festival for ‘Bombay.’
- He was awarded the Star Screen Award for Best Director for ‘Bombay.’
- He won the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration for ‘Bombay.’
- He won the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil for ‘Bombay.’
1996
- Mani Ratnam won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film for ‘Bombay.’
1997
- Mani Ratnam won the Best Film Award at the Belgrade Film Festival for ‘Iruvar.’
1998
- Mani Ratnam won the NETPAC (Special Mention) at the Berlin Film Festival for ‘Dil Se..’
2002
- Mani Ratnam was honoured with Padma Shri by the Government of India.
- He won the Filmfare Award for Best Director – Tamil for ‘Kannathil Muthamittal.’
- He won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Tamil for ‘Kannathil Muthamittal.’
Mani Ratnam receiving the National Award
- He won the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Director for ‘Kannathil Muthamittal.’
- He won the Second prize at the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Film for ‘Kannathil Muthamittal.’
- He was honoured with ‘In The Spirit of Freedom Award – Best Feature Film’ at the Jerusalem Film Festival for ‘Kannathil Muthamittal.’
- He won the Best Director at the International Tamil Film Awards for ‘Kannathil Muthamittal.’
- He won the Audience Award for Best Feature Film at the RiverRun International Film Festival for ‘Kannathil Muthamittal.’
- He won the Best Film Award at the Zimbabwe International Film Festival for ‘Kannathil Muthamittal.’
- He won the Audience Award, Jury Award, and Special Award at the Film Fest New Haven Awards for ‘Kannathil Muthamittal.’
- He won the Best International Film Award at the Westchester Film Festival for ‘Kannathil Muthamittal.’
- He won the Best Film Award at the Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles for ‘Kannathil Muthamittal.’
2003
- Mani Ratnam won the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay for ‘Saathiya.’
2005
- Mani Ratnam won the Filmfare Award for Best Screenplay and the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Film for the film ‘Yuva.’
2007
- Mani Ratnam won the V. Shantaram Award for Best Director for ‘Guru.’
2008
- Mani Ratnam won the Chevalier Sivaji Ganesan Award for Excellence in Indian Cinema.
2010
- He won the Jaeger-Lecoultre Glory To The Filmmaker (Honorary Award) at the 67th Venice International Film Festival.
Mani Ratnam with Jaeger-Lecoultre Glory To The Filmmaker
2015
- Mani Ratnam won the Icon Award at the London Indian Film Festival.
Mani Ratnam with Icon Award
2022
- Mani Ratnam was honoured by Pune’s MIT World Peace University with the Bharat Asmita National Award.
2023
- Mani Ratnam won the Best Director Award at the Norway Tamil Film Festival Awards for ‘Ponniyin Selvan:I.’
- He was honoured by SIIMA with the Extraordinary Achievement Award for promoting Oneness in Indian Cinema and bringing the world together through outstanding filmmaking.
Mani Ratnam (Centre) with SIIMA
Net Worth
Mani Ratnam’s net worth is estimated to be around Rs 130 crore.
Facts/Trivia
Categories: Bollywood
Source: dienchau2.edu.vn
