Renowned New York museum to honor Mani Ratnam

A prestigious museum in New York will honour Mani Ratnam with a special tribute, which it said has been “long overdue” for the “important filmmaker”. Mani Ratnam, 59, will make a rare appearance at the Museum of the Moving Image for the tribute from July 31 to August 2 during which Roja, Bombay and Dil Se will be screened.

The museum described him as “that rarest of film directors” who is “capable of making exquisitely crafted, hugely entertaining, yet intelligent and provocative films on a range of social and political issues”. The series is titled “Politics as spectacle: the films of Mani Ratnam”.

Richard Pena, Director-Emeritus, New York Film Festival, and Professor of Film Studies at Columbia University, said a “New York tribute to this important filmmaker is long overdue”.

“The false dichotomies — art vs commercial cinema, entertainment vs political film making — disappear when one sees how easily Mani Ratnam is able to combine aspects of all of them,” Mr. Pena said.

Museum’s Deputy Director for Development Christina Marouda said the tribute offers audiences, both devoted fans and new viewers, a rare opportunity to see his films on the big screen. The museum has also hosted Oscar-winning composer AR Rahman earlier this year, showcasing the world premier of his documentary ‘Jai Ho’ to a packed theater. Last year, veteran Indian actor Om Puri was honored by the museum for his contribution to cinema.