In 34 years of his career (starting in 1983 with the Kannada film Pallavi Anu Pallavi), maverick filmmaker Mani Ratnam has just 25 movies to his credit — with Kaatru Veliyidai being his silver jubilee!
In an interview to DC, he speaks about why he wants space between films, his inspirations, his magical rapport with AR Rahman and more.
On choosing Karthi:
It is something new that I’ve not done before (selecting a former AD to act in his film). He kept it alive, brought in some freshness into the entire thing and he also tends to explore. If somebody is very comfortable in a role, then you are not exploring anything.
I have watched a few films of Karthi. More than an actor, I know him as a person; he is a gentleman and well-behaved. But, not all the characters need to be gentle (laughs). It is not a routine ‘hero’ kind of a role. The fact that it is tough makes it more interesting and maybe more genuine.
Mani and romance, inseparable:
I am a romantic person in real life; my approach to romance is that you don’t take the other person for granted. That’s what I portrayed in my earlier film that there could be warmth and love that exists among older couples too.
On Aditi Rao Hydari’s performance:
We actually did an audition with Aditi, before choosing her! She had to learn Tamil, and worked very hard to understand the role. She has put in her heart and soul.
On AR Rahman being a ‘magician’:
He really is, isn’t he? Whenever we work together to make music for a film, we are looking to make hits — but also willing to experiment and try something new. I don’t really look at a song for a situation, but music as a whole for the movie that I am making. It gives us more freedom and scope on the whole... maybe that’s working out for us. I believe he has created a new sound for Kaatru...
Rahman is a very director-friendly composer. If I want him to go a certain way, he would. But, even then, he finds something of his own to contribute.
I always approach the process with a clean slate; just as a listener. I know what I like or don’t like, and what my instinct says. If I’m in the same wavelength as the other person, then it is easy. Even with Raja sir, it was the same way!
Open to ideas from artistes
While directors have to be open to everything, we also have to choose from the suggestions. They should trust me and vice versa. It is a process where both the director and the actors etch the characters together. The characters are just there on a paper... when you turn it into flesh and blood, it has to be done by the director and the actor.
Working in Rough terrain
It’s all part of filmmaking. In some films, the action sequences are tough, like stunts atop a train — but you still get the actors to do the dangerous acts. In Kaatru…we worked under extreme climatic conditions. The actors and the crew were falling — left, right and center!
Quest for getting a moment right
For me it is not work, filmmaking is my passion. If you don’t move, the 150-member crew won’t move. If you relax, the pace will suffer. So you have to be at it constantly! It is not just the speed or energy. It is a quest for getting a moment right, making it alive and believable.
Inspirations for his films
All that comes out of real life. The germ invariably comes from what I see — people, incidents etc.
Advancement in Technology
Technology has improved so much that you have to be perfect in detailing. You have to excel in each and every department.
Son Nandan wants to be an academician:
He is not interested in films. He is doing his PhD, is truly academic, and follows politics strongly! I studied something and pursued a career that had nothing to do with what I learnt. But I’m not saying education hurt anyone! It gives you great exposure.
