FRIDAY FEATURE

Mani Ratnam is one of the most respected names in Indian Cinema who shot to the limelight with his inimitable style of narration, unique style of dialogue delivery, lights and shades used to merge with the intensity of the scene and of course his penchant for working with the best of technicians in the industry.

However, there are a few more aspects to this master filmmaker that go unnoticed. Mani Ratnam's fascination with rain goes a long way back to some of his early films. Blossoming love in breathtaking environments with soft breeze and raindrops caressing and kissing the characters involved, have been inevitable sequences in all his films. If not love sequences, violence and racy emotions have been supported with one of the finest expressions of nature….RAIN.

Most of his heroines dance in the rain as in 'Idhayathai Thirudathae', Revathy in 'Mouna Raagam', Aishwarya Rai in 'Guru' etc. Rajinikanth's heroic introduction in 'Thalapathi' was in copious rain as he goes about bashing a baddie. 'Alaipayuthe' saw a love-sick Maddy in search of his heart's desire (played by Shalini) amidst breathtaking shots in the song 'Evano Oruvan'. Ever so soft drizzle harassed by howling winds formed the perfect sync to Maddy's emotions as he undertakes his journey. Truly a Mani Ratnam show at his best.

Another fascination Mani Ratnam seems to have is his depiction of trains in most of his movies. Shahrukh Khan dances vibrantly atop a train in the film 'Uyire'. The high intensity opening of 'Thalapathi' narrated the story of a young boy driven away by destiny on a 'goods train' with some magnificent tunes from maestro Illayaraja. The birth of a film star was emphatically echoed by a train steaming out of a tunnel in 'Iruvar'.

The sounds of a whistling train meandering its way at a rapid pace is a fascination for scores of people world wide and Mani Ratnam seems to be one of them.

One facet that could throw light on what kind of characteristics Mani Ratnam probably adores in girls can be seen from the attitude and fragrance most of his leading ladies have. It is actually the same girl who features as heroines in all his films (character-wise). For example, Amala who played the character of 'Anjali' in the film 'Agni Natchatram', Revathy in 'Mouna Raagam', the ailing and yet fun-loving girl in 'Idhayathai Thirudathae', Shalini who played 'Sakthi' in 'Alaipayuthae', Trisha in 'Ayutha Ezhuthu' etc., though portrayed in different situations, very clearly have the same 'soul'…. naughty, vibrant, innately good with sparks of sophistication.

Every artiste, be it a poet, painter, writer or filmmaker has traits that make him or her the person that he or she really is.

Mani Ratnam too falls in line and let's hope his fascination with the rain, trains and particular characteristics in the female of the species live on.