Is Mani Ratnam Overrated?

There is an ongoing debate in the world of Indian cinema regarding the director Mani Ratnam. Personally, I believe Mani Ratnam is overrated. While he is a talented director, he is not a great one. I have enjoyed only two of his movies: Iddaru and Yuva. I found Donga Donga Geetanjali Gharshana to be somewhat engaging, but many of his other films fail to captivate me.

Is He Overrated?

Yes, Mani Ratnam is certainly overrated. His movies are often compared to sleeping pills, where the only redeeming quality is the music. He consistently collaborates with top music composers like Ilayaraja and A.R. Rahman, but his films' success during the 1990s can be largely attributed to the absence of satellite or cable TV, internet, and other media forms. The only channel available at that time was Doordarshan, and people had no other choice but to watch these supposedly engaging films.

Kollywood Now Has Better Directors

While Mani Ratnam was praised highly during his heyday, with hits like Nayagan, Roja, and Mount Rangas, his work post-2000 is largely considered mediocre to bad. It is evident that directors like Vetrimaran, Selva Raghavan, and P. Ranjith have produced more compelling content. Moreover, even lesser-known directors like K.S. Ravi, Kumar Sundar, and Vikraman have surpassed Mani Ratnam in terms of quality.

Technical Versus Storytelling Skills

Mani Ratnam often plays the role of a technician rather than a storyteller. He has a clear focus on music, photography, art direction, screenplay, and story. In contrast, directors such as Visu, Sridhar, and Balachander, who are primarily storytellers, work on adapted stories with minimal focus on other aspects of film-making. Mani, on the other hand, ensures that his films are technically superior, discussing tints, close-ups, and different lenses to convey emotions, while also spending significant time on the music.

The Role of GV

Mani Ratnam's success is often attributed to the efforts of his brother, GV. GV was a genius at balancing commercial appeal with artistic integrity. During their partnership, only one out of eight films failed to turn a profit; Anjali was the exception. After GV's departure, Mani formed Madras Talkies with G. Srinivasan, who, despite being a good accountant, lacked the business acumen that GV provided. This lack of guidance led to a string of unsuccessful films including Iruvar, Dil Se, and Uyire.

Future Project: Ponniyin Selvan

Mani Ratnam's next project, Ponniyin Selvan, is highly anticipated. Estimated to cost 450 crores, it has garnered significant attention from critics and fans alike. However, the debate persists: will Ponniyin Selvan be Mani Ratnam's masterpiece or a continuation of his unfortunate track record?

In conclusion, while Mani Ratnam has certainly made his mark in the world of Indian cinema, it is time to critically reassess whether he truly deserves the acclaim he has received. His focus on technical aspects at the expense of storytelling may have contributed to his diminishing relevance in the modern era of Indian cinema.