We have grown up watching Mani Ratnam movies and no doubt the heroines in his movies have inspired us in one way or another. They are strong, independent, modern and outright bold. The strong female character in his movies is what makes the movie special. We take the nostalgic route and remember some of the memorable heroines in Mani Ratnam’s movies. 

 

SHALINI AJITH

Shalini is still etched in our minds as Sakthi, this short tempered, independent woman who struggles between the family she loves and the love of her life. Shalini charmed us all with her smiles and her acting! Alaipayuthey is one of Mani Ratnam’s best movies and the film gave us some serious relationship goals! Remember, Kadhal Sadugudu song?

REVATHI

Revathi in Mouna Ragam, played the character of a woman who wants to live her life on her own terms. Divya played by Revathi, tells her husband she wants a divorce right after their marriage. The movie was much ahead of its times and we will always remember Revathi as the bold girl who got drenched and came home late when the groom’s family came to visit her.

AMALA AKKINENI

Agni Natchathiram released in 1988 and the lead heroine smokes in the film! Or was caught trying a cigarette. This movie was also ahead of it’s times. Amala plays the Police Commissioner’s daughter in the movie and of course she had a strong character to play!

MADHUBALA

Madhubala played the protagonist, Roja. Her husband gets kidnapped by terrorists and she does not rest until he is back. She played the distressed village gal who does not understand the language and is in a foreign land fighting against the system to get her husband back. The character showed courage, confidence and the will not back down personality. It does not get any better than this and Madhubala played the role to perfection!

AISHWARYA RAI

Many may not know this, but the Miss World’s debut movie was this Tamil flick, Iruvar. She plays two characters in this movie. A wife & a mistress and she played them both to perfection. Especially, the mistress! She seduced us with her charming smile, beauty and her dance moves.

MEERA JASMINE

Meera Jasmine played the role of the wife of a gunda in Ayudha Ezhuthu. She showed us the various layers of the character and what a woman goes through. She aborts her child to show her husband (played by Madhavan) how it feels to kill someone and what pain the victim’s family must be in. It was such a bold character to portray and Meera Jasmine did a superb job at it!

SIMRAN

Simran plays a mother, whose adopted daughter wants to find her real mother in Kannathil Muthamittal. Ratnam had etched beautifully what the foster mother would go through and who better to play it than Simran. She questions herself if she had not done enough for her adopted daughter and is in a dilemma of how things will turn out when they meet the real mother. This movie was set around the Sri Lankan conflict and won the National Award for best film.

 

Written by: Subashini Suresh