Conversations with Mani Ratnam

An excellent book providing insights into the Mani Ratnam way of making movies. Baradwaj Rangan manages to ask the right questions most of the times. At times Mani Ratnam seems to dead bat criticism and defends creative decisions, mostly when Rangan questions whether the quality of characters mirror reality. The best parts of the book are when Mani Ratnam takes the conversation forward when describing how some portions of his movies are derived from his own experiences, like the daughter's signing by the bedside in Guru, and what lead to Bombay and the struggles he faced to release the film. Slightly disappointed that the book does not have a chapter on Kadal as promised in the cover, but can not complain.

Awesome book! For people who are ardent Mani Sir's fans this book helps to know the "grammar" of his films better. Some good insights towards what he strives to achieve through his films. Thoroughly enjoyed it. The conversational format gives an authentic feel that you're listening to Mani Sir himself and Rangan delivers what he promises!If you love the technical side of Movie Making- don't miss it and it is a must have for your collection!

Inner side of genius. Questions should have been even more intense to open up his techniques and his perspective of filming or seeing things

I must say this is really a great read for Mani Rathnam fans. The authors presented this in the best possible manner - In conversation mode. Its like Q & A's. Each chapter is almost a subject and made me understand so much about the efforts and thoughts about each scene - especially Nayakan. The presentation in conversation mode surely makes it so lovable.Read it and know more about Mani. You wont ever regret this.

The book start off well but after first couple of chapters, lost its steam.Fault us with the author who didn't ask the right questions. A biographical approach would have been far better

I am a proud byproduct of Maniratnam era of cinema. In a country of compliance, his characters were truly rebellious against the existing norms without the over dramatic heroism. The sense of common man realism combined with their innate rebellion against the societal norms and traditions has created our generation(ones who grew up in 80's and 90's) who is now paving the way for the next one. The format of this book was easy to digest and Mani does seem to be a master of justification about his characters decisions. It helps the true fan of cinema to watch his movies with fresh perspectives. While his editing decisions worked perfectly during the much-restricted, per-liberalized India, they seem to be way off the mark in his recent movies. If at all there is a Director whose movies need a Director's cut, it is Maniratnam. I think there needs to be a simple, uncomplicated, clean arch stories like Alaipaayuthe, Anjali, Mouna Raagam for the masses and a special director's cut for movies like Yuva(Why,why,why would Lallan not return back?) and Raavanan(so badly wish those ten characters were talking to him,making it easy for the viewer to understand his eccentricities). This book is a great journey into Mani's thinking, execution and choices he makes on his movies. A must for any movie fan to understand one of the world's greatest directors from India!

Great conversations with the master. Fun to read about each movie and how it came to be. Later editions should include newer movies.

An excellent book that gets into the mind of one of the greatest Indian filmmakers. The ability of the ace director to respond appropriately to probing questions is laudable.