Mani Ratnam, the renowned
director of Indian cinema, turned 65-year-old on Wednesday. Entering the movie industry
with his famous 1983 Kannada film ‘Pallavi Anu Pallavi’ featuring Anil Kapoor
and Lakshmi, the director has worked in various South Indian film industries
as well as Hindi films. Currently, he is working on an upcoming web series titled ‘Navasara’.

On his birthday, below listed
are a few of Mani Ratnam’s acclaimed films:

Mouna Ragam (1986): Revolving
around a woman and her conflict-ridden relationship with her father as well as
her husband, ‘Mouna Ragam’ portrays the protagonist, played by actor Revathi, forced
into an arranged marriage, mourning at the same time the death of her former
lover.

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Nayakan (1987): A Tamil crime
film written and directed by Mani Ratnam, ‘Nayakan’ displays Kamal Hassan in
the titular role, portraying mafia gang leader, Velu Nayakkar. A huge success at
the time, the movie bagged three awards in the 1987 National Film Awards, providing a boost for Kamal Hassan, as well. A year later, it was remade in Bollywood
as ‘Dayavan’.

Thalapathi (1991): Featuring southern
cinema giants Rajinikanth and Mammothy in leading roles, the film narrates the
tale of a slum dweller forging close friendship with a don, only to be obstructed
by a district collector who tries to stop the duo.

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Roja (1992): An all-time hit that
catapulted Mani Ratnam to new heights, Roja, a romantic thriller, was a huge
hit in theatres after it release and displays a village girl, played by actor
Madhoo Shah, trying to rescue her husband from militants in Jammu and Kashmir. The
film acquired several national awards, including Best Music Director (A R
Rahman), and Best Lyricist (Vairamuthu).

Bombay (1995): ‘Bombay’ is based
on the 1992-1993 Bombay riots occurring after the demolition of the Babri
Masjid. It also brought in thematic components such inter-religious marriage and
the idea of patriotism. It received two Filmfare Awards.

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Kannathil Muthamittal (2002): A
Tamil film that bases itself on both themes of family and war, ‘Kannathil
Muthamittal’ shows an adopted child’s emotional need for its mother, while the
latter is recruited as a fighter for the LTTE in the Sri Lankan Civil War. Crticially
acclaimed, the film won six national awards and stars Ranganathan Madhavan,
Simran, Keerthana Parthiepan etc.