Mani Ratnam Biography: Age, Net Worth, Children, Movies, Wife, Parents, Siblings, Awards

Gopalaratnam Subramaniam, professionally known as Mani Ratnam, is a distinguished Indian filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer, predominantly recognized for his contributions to Tamil cinema.

Born on June 2, 1956, in Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India, he has been instrumental in redefining Indian cinema with his innovative storytelling and technical prowess.

Profile

• Full Name: Gopalaratnam Subramaniam
• Nickname: Mani Ratnam
• Date of Birth: June 2, 1956
• Age: 69 years old
• Gender: Male
• Place of Birth: Madurai, Tamil Nadu, India
• Nationality: Indian
• Profession: Film Director, Producer, Screenwriter
• Parents: Father: S. Gopala Ratnam (Film Distributor)
• Siblings: Brothers: G. Venkateswaran Ratnam (Film Producer), G. Srinivasan Ratnam (Film Producer)
• Spouse: Suhasini Maniratnam (m. 1988)
• Children: Son: Nandan Maniratnam
• Religion: Hinduism
• Ethnicity: Tamil
• Net Worth: $10 million

Early Life and Education

Mani Ratnam was born on June 2, 1956 and is now at the age of 69. He was born into a family deeply rooted in the film industry; his father, S. Gopala Ratnam, was a film distributor, and his uncle, ‘Venus’ Krishnamurthy, was a producer.

Despite this cinematic lineage, Mani Ratnam’s early exposure to films was limited due to his family’s reservations about the film industry’s influence.

He pursued higher education in commerce at Madras University and subsequently earned an MBA in finance from the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies in Mumbai.

Initially embarking on a career as a management consultant, his inherent passion for storytelling eventually guided him towards filmmaking.

Personal Life

In 1988, Mani Ratnam married renowned South Indian actress Suhasini Maniratnam. The couple has a son, Nandan Maniratnam, born in 1992.

The family resides in Alwarpet, Chennai, where Mani Ratnam operates his production company, Madras Talkies.

Career

Mani Ratnam’s directorial debut was the Kannada film “Pallavi Anu Pallavi” (1983), featuring Anil Kapoor. Despite its modest success, the film showcased his potential as a filmmaker.

He gained significant recognition with the Tamil film “Mouna Ragam” (1986), a romantic drama that earned him his first Filmfare Best Director Award. This success was followed by “Nayakan” (1987), a critically acclaimed crime drama that was India’s official entry for the Academy Awards.

Throughout his illustrious career, Mani Ratnam has directed several landmark films, including:

“Roja” (1992): A romantic thriller that brought national recognition and marked the beginning of his collaboration with composer A.R. Rahman.

“Bombay” (1995): A film addressing communal tensions in India, acclaimed for its poignant narrative and music.

“Dil Se..” (1998): A Hindi-language romantic thriller known for its unique storytelling and the popular song “Chaiyya Chaiyya.”

“Alaipayuthey” (2000): A romantic drama exploring the intricacies of marital relationships, later remade in Hindi as “Saathiya.”

“Ponniyin Selvan: I” (2022) and “Ponniyin Selvan: II” (2023): Epic historical dramas based on Kalki Krishnamurthy’s novel, both achieving critical and commercial success.

His collaboration with composer A.R. Rahman has produced some of Indian cinema’s most memorable soundtracks.

Awards and Nominations

• Padma Shri (2002): Awarded by the Government of India for his contributions to film.
• National Film Awards: Seven wins across various categories.
• Filmfare Awards: Four Filmfare Awards and six Filmfare Awards South.

Net Worth

Mani Ratnam’s net worth is estimated to be around $10 million.

Filmography

A selection of notable films directed by Mani Ratnam includes:

• “Pallavi Anu Pallavi” (1983)
• “Mouna Ragam” (1986)
• “Nayakan” (1987)
• “Geethanjali” (1989)
• “Anjali” (1990)
• “Thalapathi” (1991)
• “Roja” (1992)
• “Bombay” (1995)