Why Maniratnam and Kamalhassan?

Recently I watched a Biographical Hindi movie namely bhaag Milkha bhaag. As I have more love for the films based on real events and biographical films, I watched this film with more zeal and passion. Film showed painful days of subcontinent partition and milkha’s determination towards the goal, though he faces many hurdles in his life. Taking a biographical or real event film involves lot of research on the topic. If any inaccuracy depicting event or person happens in the film, it will lead to big chaos and heavy criticism.Worldwide, films based on biographies or real event had increased from the last decade. In India there are very few film makers who have guts to take a historical or biographical films.

In Tamil cinema, there are 2 men whose film subjects differ from traditional subjects like Love, Action, Masala, Comedy. These 2 persons had acted as pioneers in taking the films into real time events and biographies.  One person directed a film which was listed in Time’s All-Time 100 Greatest Movies  compiled between 1923 and 2005.Another person, known for having acted in the most number of films submitted by India in contest for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. He also acted in the above movie mentioned. Yes, the 2 personalities are Mr.ManiRatnam and Mr.Kamalhassan.                    Almost like everyone, these are the 2 persons I admire most in film making in tamil cinema. These are the reasons why these people attract me 

Maniratnam started his career with films based on love initially. Though “Mouna Raagam”,another critically acclaimed love film brought his prominence to Tamil cinema, I believe It is godfathersque  “Nayagan”, which made this talented film director foray into world cinema. Nayagan is based on life of bombay underworld  don namely “Varadaraja Mudaliyar” depicting him as savior for poor south Indian  people struggling in Mumbai dharawi slums. Film was rated by Time’s All-Time 100 Greatest Movies  compiled between 1923 and 2005.

When the Kashmir was in flames in late 80’s, he is earliest person to take celluloid to the valley depicting the blood flowing in the beautiful snowy mountains. With hindu mythology of sathiyavan and savithri embedded in the story, film “Roja” one of the first conflict based film in india, showed the brilliance of Indian films in par with international conflict stories. His film named “Bombay”, showed the non sense emotions of the subcontinent people which often fells as prey to religious zealots and end in macabre killings and loss of property. I believe it is one of the bravest attempt by any Indian director at that time. Story of this film is centered around “Babri masjid” demolition happened in 1992 and riots which happened thereafter.Dil se another conflict based story happening in heartland of Northeastern corridor of india.It depicted  a female militant’s love with a reporter. Though film bombed at the box office, film garnered wide positive response abroad.

After these conflict trilogy,I think he suddenly felt that he forget some important human conflict happening nearby his birth place ie srilankan conflict. His film namely “Kannathil muthamittal” is made at the time when Srilankan tamil rebels(LTTE) were controlling one third of vast swathe of srilankan territory. In the film, he slammed the rebels at one point saying the violence is not solution for any  vexed conflict. Few months after the film was released, rebel leader “Prabhakaran” lamented that maniratnam should not have hurted our struggle as he don’t know the happenings here. But ultimately the rebels faced complete annihilation under the srilankan forces in 2009 ending the 26 year old insurgency.The violence in the end killed nearly 70,000 innocent lives.

Another most inspiring film based upon real time event is “Guru”. This film is a biographical one loosely based on Indian industrialist Dhirubai Ambani. Though this film controversially encouraged the capitalism frauds, film’s stiffen message of lion hearted individual with confidence and hardwork can’t be stopped by anyone for reaching the top of the ladder.

                                   

Iruvar, another real event film, showing the relationship between 2 political leaders of tamilnadu. Film is still a cult status film in Tamil Cinema. Other films like thalapathi, anjali appears as zenith of his crown.

Another film maker who has proven his prowess in film making is Kamalhassan.He is India’s best method actor, but  I will say he is a best film maker.One of my favourite film is “Hey Ram”. The film was critically acclaimed worldwide of its portrayal of angry young man whose family destroyed in Naohkali riots, planning to kill Gandhi feeling he is responsible for the carnage. Finally understanding the good nature of Gandhi ,plans to meet him.. But fate makes him to see the killing of gandhi in his own eyes. One of the best dialogues of the film coming in the last ie when Hindu and muslim riots happening in a city because of Babri Masjid demolition, hearing on the bullet sounds while travelling in ambulance asks to his neighbor “Innuma” is really heart touching moment in the film.

Another interesting  film is “Kuruthipunal” which is taken way back in 1995, Though the film is based on agenda that Spies becoming double agents because of uncertain circumstances. In real time, we had seen many double agents in CIA,RAW, destroying their own masters because of compulsions.

His recent work “Viswaroopam” based on Afghan insurgency, made him to face enormous hardships. Though there were critics that the film in some parts targeted a particular community, showing their worship place as den of terrorism, film is definitely brave attempt. Personally my expectations were not satisfied with this film after the hype they gave for this film. His stalled project “Maruthanayagam” is a story about a muslim freedom fighter namely “Yousuf khan” from tamilnadu. Lets Hope that he will reboot this project in near future.

Tamil cinemas had very few biographical films like “Veerapandiya kattabomman, kappalottiya tamilan, Bharathi, Periyar” . Film makers who plan to do biographical films should be encouraged, as seeing the great leaders in silver screen will impress many youth to take their path of goodwill.

There are still many good films from many tamil directors in various topics nowadays. But here i tried to analyse about the biographical and real event stories.