G5A’s Cinema House unveils a retrospective that honors the legendary Mani Ratnam. This meticulously curated celebration marks Mani Ratnam’s four extraordinary decades of storytelling that has redefined the boundaries of filmmaking. The three-day retrospective (January 24th to 26th), co-curated with acclaimed filmmaker Bejoy Nambiar, offers an intimate glimpse into the master director’s visual storytelling through the distinctive vision of his cinematographers.
The retrospective spans his remarkable journey across five languages and 28 films, featuring seven of his most influential works. What sets this retrospective apart is its focus on the visual language crafted through his collaborations with renowned cinematographers Ravi K. Chandran, Ravi Varman, Rajiv Menon and Santosh Sivan.
“G5A Cinema House is here to celebrate and give platform to independent and bold stories. This retrospective does that and more by celebrating the vision of a filmmaker who has shaped not only my career but also the cinematic language of an entire industry. Mani Ratnam’s films are a masterclass in storytelling. Each frame, each nuance carries a depth that is unmatched. For generations of filmmakers like myself, his work remains an eternal source of inspiration,” said filmmaker Nikkhil Advani.
Curator and filmmaker Bejoy Nambiar adds, “As a curator, bringing these masterpieces together is my humble way of honoring a visionary who taught us that cinema is not just about telling stories, but about touching hearts. I am thrilled to collaborate with the G5A Cinema House team to present a carefully curated selection of pivotal films, showcasing a remarkable cinematic journey that spans over four decades. From the analog era of 1983 to the digital age, and from traditional tales of marriage to modern narratives of live-in relationships, this cinematic odyssey has continued to evolve, pushing boundaries and challenging conventions.”
The ‘retro’ will open in Mumbai with an Opening Remarks video by Mani Ratnam. Nayakan, Bombay, Raavan, Kannathil Muthamittal, Kaatru Veliyidai, Alaipayuthe and Iruvar will be screened at the G5A Warehouse, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai.
Each screening features exclusive discussions with the cinematographers who helped shape these cinematic masterpieces. There will also be an Open Forum and a Conversation amidst all this.
But I am wondering why the iconic Roja (among some more) is missing, with its splendiferous camerawork by Santosh Sivan. Will G5A Cinema House, Nikkhil Advani and Bejoy Nambiar explain?
(Used with permission)
