Born Gopalaratnam Subramaniam in Madurai in 1956, Mani Ratnam studied commerce and management before entering films with Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983). Mouna Ragam (1986) was his breakthrough and Nayakan (1987), with Kamal Haasan, inspired by The Godfather, made him a leading Tamil director. Later films include Thalapathi (1991), Roja (1992), Bombay (1995), Dil Se.. (1998), Guru (2007) and the epic Ponniyin Selvan (2022-23). He has seven National Film Awards and runs the company Madras Talkies.
Filmography
- Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983)
- Mouna Ragam (1986)
- Nayakan (1987)
- Thalapathi (1991)
- Roja (1992)
- Bombay (1995)
- Dil Se.. (1998)