Mumbai connection in Mani’s films

Mani Ratnam’s fascination for Mumbai started much before he came to his films, for he did his post graduation there. As a filmmaker, many of his stories have been set there and films such as Nayakudu, Guru, and now Ok Bangaram are the best examples. In fact, in Ok Bangaram, the city plays an integral part of the story and Ratnam is proud of the fact that audience won’t see it just as a place but as a character itself.

Talking about how he used Mumbai in Ok Bangaram; Ratnam said that he has a strong connection with the city since his college days. He says since it’s one of the biggest and most progressive metropolitan cities and there’s a strong reason why the film is set there. The story is about people away from home who become independent of the rules and regulations of a family. According to Ratnam, the film will be a breezy, contemporary film on relationships.

Lately, several Tamil films are being shot there. Currently, Suriya’s 24 is being shot in Mumbai, where most of his last film Anjaan was also shot. Vijay’s Thupaki was also shot in the city, which has become a regular visiting place for southern filmmakers.