Shots of Mani Ratnam movies- Part 3

This part of shots of Mani Ratnam, I am going to write about one of my all the time favorite, one of most underrated films of Mani Ratnam that is Iruvar(1997). Iruvar is the story of friendship,politics,love,lust,betrayal,jealousy and irony. This film also introdued Aishwariya Rai to silver screen.  It was directed and produced by Mani Ratnam. It was a critically acclaimed film and bought National Award for Best Supporting Actor to Prakash Raj.

The film revolves around Anandan, a struggling actor and Tamizhselvan a small time writer. Anandan and Tamizhselvan become best friends but due to certain factors their friendship begins to turn sour.

Starring	Mohanlal as Anandan Prakash Raj as Tamizhselvan Aishwarya Rai as Pushpavallu/Kalpana Revathi as Maragatham Gouthami as Ramani Tabu as Senthamarai

This story can also be regarded as the fictional or the inspired version of the friendship turned rivalry between legendary Tamil actor M.G. Ramachandran(played by Mohanlal) and M. Karunanidhi(played by Prakash Raj) when they enter politics. It also showcases the controversial love affair between M.G.Ramachandran(also known as MGR) and Jayalalitha (played by Aishwariya Rai) that hit headlines in the late 60’s.

Like his earlier films, Ratnam here too uses many top-angle, upside-down shots, colors, lighting and great bgm. The music by A.R.Rahman is very distinctive and the cinematography gave the audiences an opportunity to peek into the minds of the characters.  In an interview Ratnam said “As a filmmaker, all I am trying to do is on the set to make the scenes come alive, through all the shots, angles and movements of the actors. But sometimes you realize that if the actor can deliver, you simply have to be the observer!”  

In this post, we will discuss the trademark shots of Mani Ratnam in context to Iruvar.

Anandan and Tamizhselvan are fascinating characters and are in complete contrast to each other.  While we see Anandan wearing white/off-white clothes(till his last breath), Tamizhselvan wore majorly black colored clothes. This also indicated their social status  and lifestyles. While Anandan was always ambitious and wanted to be an actor, Tamizhselvan wanted to do something for the society. Tamizhselvan  was a renowned dialogue writer and was known for writing fantastic dialogues in films. It is because of his dialogues and his approach(to a certain extent), Anandan lands a role as a lead hero in a film after facing a lot of rejection. Later we see, that Anandan following the footsteps of Tamizhselvan and becomes a politician. He uses his friendship and Tamizhselvan path’s to become a politician.

Infact, as people they are poles apart. If Anandan is emotional, Tamizhselvan is practical and rational. Anandan never got his love (Pushpavalli and Kalpana both played by Aishwariya Rai) but Tamizhselvan was able to be with his love Sethamarai(played by Tabu along with his 1st wife Margatham). Ever since the beginning of the film, you can see them facing each other as if they are competing with life. It seemed as if they always knew what they will end up at.  They also knew each other inside out and thus none of them could lie to each other. Anandan might have won in politics but lost his best friend in love and life.

Also I got to know that M.G.R did a film where he played a general namely Veera Mohan who falls in love with his kingdom’s princess. This film was called Manthiri Kumari (1960) which made him an overnight star.

Anandan also potrays the same in one of his films with Ramani(played by Gauthami) in Iruvar. That film was called Veer Pratap. This film too brings stardom to Anandan and Ramani.

 Manthiri Kumari

 Veera Paratap

There were many scenes where the characters were looking at themselves in the mirror, specially by Kalpana, the look-alike of Pushpavalli(Anandan’s deceased wife) who was attracted to Anandan. Every time she looked into the mirror, she would always think/talk about Anandan. Later when Anandan tells her about how surprisingly similar she was to his 1st wife, she starts developing feelings for him. The mirror for Kalpana then became a symbol of desire,lust and a way to transform herself to Pushpavalli. She eventually falls for him during the course of multiple films that they do. In a splendid scene, we see Kalpana making a birthmark on one of her arms and being extremely happy about it. This birthmark was something that Anandan loved in Pushpavalli(who originally had a birthmark on her arm and Kalpana did not). It seemed like Kalpana was trying to get closer to him and wanted to make him believe that she is no less than Pushpavalli.

There are many such references in the film. Anandan too is falling for Kalpana and does not want to loose her.

There are many scenes where the mirror is involved. It shows the character’s hidden desires, passion,emotions,motives and their real self.

My favourite scene was when Tamizhselvan meets Sethamarai for the first time at railway station. He is absolutely awestruck seeing her and eventually realizes that he is in love with her. He marries Sethamarai desppite being already married to Maragatham(played by Revathi). Apart from being ambitious and entering poilitics, both Tamizhselvan and Anandan had extra-marital affairs, but one was successful, the other one was not.

Later we see Sethamarai visits Tamizhselvan to profess her love for him and eventually they make love to each other. Their romance/love is shown as down at upside-down-top angle shots. This shows that a man as principled has fallen into the trap of love. This is my most favorite shot of the film.

My favourite scene was when Tamizhselvan meets Sethamarai for the first time at railway station. He is absolutely awestruck seeing her and eventually realizes that he is in love with her. He marries Sethamarai desppite being already married to Maragatham(played by Revathi). Apart from being ambitious and entering poilitics, both Tamizhselvan and Anandan had extra-marital affairs, but one was successful, the other one was not.

Later we see Sethamarai visits Tamizhselvan to profess her love for him and eventually they make love to each other. Their romance/love is shown as down at upside-down-top angle shots. This shows that a man as principled as Tamizhselvan has fallen into the trap of love. This is my most favorite shot of the film.

Mani Ratnam also beautifully captured various emotions of his characters.

and also captured some beautiful moods of the lighting and colors.

I would like to conclude by saying that one watch of this masterpiece is not enough. There is so much detailing in every scene of the film. I am always thrilled when I find small-small details in this film. I wish it got more appreciation and acceptance from the audience. Nevertheless, the performances of Mohanlal and Prakash Raj will always be an inspiration to many aspiring actors. I hope Mani Ratnam makes a film of this sort today. Keep it up Mani sir.

End of Part 3.

End of Shots of Mani Ratnam Movies

Anila Velidimalla