Mani Ratnam Doesn’t Like To Enact Scenes For An Actor, As He Believes It’s Not A Director’s Job
By
Tanveer Zaidi (Actor-Author-Educationist)
Filmmaker Mani Ratnam is all set to entertain audiences with his upcoming film Thug Life. The film marks his reunion with Kamal Haasan after 38 years, and fans are excited to relive their magic on screen.
In an interaction with the media people, Mani spoke about how Kamal trusts him and revealed that he had once threatened to throw people off the set if they didn’t do what he asked.
When asked if he is the kind of director who gives his actors a free hand to do whatever they want, Mani Ratnam said, “Not everyone. Some people you have to threaten.
I’ve promised people that I’ll throw them off the fourth floor if they don’t do what I’m asking them to do. Sometimes, you have to tell an actor that if a five-year-old child can work at odd hours, so can they.
There’s no one solution. But, if you have a good actor, and if what they bring in adds value…”
However, Mani admitted that he doesn’t like to enact scenes for an actor, as he believes it’s not a director’s job. He also added that sometimes a good actor could take offence if you show them how to act.
The filmmaker further revealed that there were no creative clashes with Kamal Haasan on the set of Thug Life.
He revealed that even while working on Nayakan, Kamal trusted him, and said, “It’s simple — if it doesn’t work, you tell him it doesn’t. Even then, he always trusted me.
If I say we go this way, he’ll go. He believes in you, and if he thinks you know what you’re doing, he comes with you. There’s no issue at all. Given the fact that he is so talented, I think the more talented the actor is, the more he needs a director.
He needs someone from outside to look objectively and be able to draw boundaries a little tighter. It’s only these extraordinary talents that can stretch their arms, and you can be fooled by it, so you need to be on your toes.”
Mani Ratnam is famous for revolutionizing Tamil cinema and establishing it as a director’s medium, blurring the lines between parallel and commercial cinema.
He’s known for his distinct style, which includes beautiful cinematography, memorable songs, and a strong focus on socio-political themes. His films also feature strong female protagonists and a unique artistic interpretation of societal issues.
Mani Ratnam is known for his signature style, which includes visually stunning cinematography, particularly in his use of back-lighting and soft-focus shots. His films are also characterized by memorable songs and a strong emphasis on music.
Mani Ratnam’s films often explore complex social and political issues, ranging from terrorism and riots to arranged marriages and consumerism.
Mani Ratnam’s films are known for featuring strong and empowered female protagonists who often have their agency and stories.
He successfully blended the artistic sensibilities of parallel cinema with the commercial appeal of mainstream films, making his work accessible to a wider audience.
Mani Ratnam has worked with many of the most talented artists in Indian cinema, including A.R. Rahman (music), P.C. Sreeram (cinematography), and other talented individuals, allowing for a unique artistic vision to be realized.
Mani Ratnam’s work has been influential on other filmmakers and has helped to establish cinema as a director’s medium, where various elements come together to create a cohesive and impactful narrative.
Mani Ratnam is known for his willingness to break away from traditional filmmaking conventions and explore new approaches, which has allowed him to create unique and memorable films.
He has been successful in balancing the agency of his characters with the star power of superstars like Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan.
Despite his diverse influences, Ratnam maintains a distinct “Indian style” in his films, reflecting his cultural heritage and sensibilities.
