Director

Mani Ratnam: Movies & Box Office

films: 28
on screen: 1983–2025
box office: $56.5M
average score: 70

Known for

The Best Mani Ratnam Movies

The highest-rated films Mani Ratnam is credited on, by the Movie Echo Score that blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact. Ponniyin Selvan: Part II (2023) scores highest, at 78. The full ranking adds the biggest box office hits and the most awarded films.

Full ranking

Career at a glance

Mani Ratnam's Career in Numbers

Mani Ratnam's films in numbers — as a director, not counting appearances as themselves: when they were made, the genres Mani Ratnam works in most and the milestones along the way. The filmography runs from Pallavi Anu Pallavi (1983) to Thug Life (2025), and the 1980s were the busiest decade.

Mani Ratnam Movies by Decade

1980s 8
1990s 5
2000s 6
2010s 6
2020s 3

The 1980s were Mani Ratnam's busiest decade, with 8 films.

Mani Ratnam Movies by Genre

Drama 10
Action 5
Crime 4
Romance 3
Thriller 2
Adventure 1
Biography 1
War 1
History 1

Drama is the genre Mani Ratnam has worked in most, with 10 films, ahead of action (5).

Mani Ratnam Career Milestones

First film: Pallavi Anu Pallavi 1983
Biggest box office hit: Guru $24.1M worldwide
Best-rated film: Ponniyin Selvan: Part II Movie Echo Score 78
Newest film: Thug Life 2025

28 credits

Mani Ratnam Filmography: Every Movie

Every film Mani Ratnam is credited on, newest first, with the role, the box office and the Movie Echo Score. Rated films average a score of 70. Re-order the list to see the best-rated films or the biggest hits first.

Works with

Who Mani Ratnam Makes Movies With

The actors and directors Mani Ratnam shares the most films with. Prakash Raj comes first, with 5 films together, followed by Nassar (5).

FAQ

Mani Ratnam: Questions & Answers

How many movies Mani Ratnam has made, the biggest hit, the best-rated film, the award record and more, answered from the filmography above.

How many movies has Mani Ratnam been in?

Mani Ratnam is credited on 28 films, from 1983 to 2025. All of them as a director. The filmography on this page lists every one of them, newest first, with the role and the Movie Echo Score.

What is Mani Ratnam's highest-grossing movie?

Guru (2007) is Mani Ratnam's biggest box office hit, with $24.1M worldwide, ahead of Ponniyin Selvan: Part I (2022) ($21.9M). Across every film with box office figures, Mani Ratnam's movies have made $56.5M.

Mani Ratnam's biggest hits

What is the best Mani Ratnam movie?

By the Movie Echo Score, which blends critic reviews, audience ratings and lasting impact, Mani Ratnam's best-rated film is Ponniyin Selvan: Part II (2023) with a score of 78, followed by Chekka Chivantha Vaanam (2018) (75).

Best Mani Ratnam movies, ranked

What is Mani Ratnam's newest movie?

The most recent film on Mani Ratnam's filmography is Thug Life (2025), which Mani Ratnam directed.

Who does Mani Ratnam work with most often?

Mani Ratnam shares the most films with Prakash Raj (5 films), Nassar (5 films) and Aishwarya Lekshmi (3 films).

The Best Mani Ratnam Movies, Ranked

Top rated, most awarded and biggest box office hits from 28 directing credits.

See the ranking

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app