An iconic collaboration that is a gift that keeps on giving even after ceasing to exist since 1991 
Slideshows

Happy birthday Ilaiyaraaja and Mani Ratnam: From Pallavi Anupallavi to Thalapathy — the magnificent ten

An iconic collaboration that is a gift that keeps on giving even after ceasing to exist since 1991

Team CE
1. Pallavi Anupallavi - First film. First collaboration. An 'IDEA' that initiated us into the worlds of the now iconic duo.
2. Unaru - The first and only Malayalam film directed by Mani Ratnam. This was the first time the director did a political film. He'd work with Mohanlal once again... in Iruvar
3. Pagal Nilavu - Mani Ratnam's first Tamil film. Who can forget the 'Poo Malaye' composition? Incidentally, this is the first time Mani Ratnam shot standalone songs... The starting of a legacy.
4. Idhaya Kovil - While it may not count much as a standout film, Idhaya Kovil was special for multiple reasons. As always a brilliant album, and for marking the debut of Ilaiyaaaja — the lyricist
5. Mouna Ragam - This album. This movie. Not every film deserves the legendary tag, but again, not every movie is Mouna Ragam.
6. Nayagan - Hollywood has The Godfather. Tamil Cinema has Nayagan. Benchmark for everything that is a gangster movie. And of course, Thenpaandi Cheemayile...
7. Agni Natchathiram - Was Raja Rajadhi Raja Vaali's way of cementing the composer's legacy in Indian cinema? And for a change, Mani Ratnam's film relies heavily on style and pizzazz.
8. Geethanjali - Romance comes in various shapes, sizes, and, in the case of this Telugu film, starring Nagarjuna and Girija, also with an expiry date... Almost...
9. Anjali - A film for kids. Also for the adults. A formula many tried to emulate, with little success in Tamil cinema. A free-spirited album to boot.
10. Thalapathy - Can't you just hear those violin strings and the flute bit from this image? Well, to paraphrase an iconic dialogue from Casablanca... 'We'll always have Thalapathy'

Also Read

The Housemaid Movie Review: Defiant, Depressing, Daring

Naslen’s Mollywood Times first look unveiled

Prabhas’ first look from Spirit unveiled

Stranger Things 5 finale review: A bittersweet goodbye that rolls a safe final dice

Ikkis Movie Review: Sriram Raghavan’s war-drama is a predictable peace-offering in a polarized country