Mani Ratnam holds a special space for solid female characters in most of his films.
Mani Ratnam’s films will always have the connection that tells us stories of characters with strong, deep, sensitive, and absolutely stunning tales. Only a legend like him could have weaved stories centered characterisation of women, and he excels at depicting a strong feminine character in his film.
Some Memorable Women Characters Of Mani Ratnam
ANJALI
Revathi acted as Chitra in Anjali. In this film, Chitra, from the outside would look like any normal caring mother but her fear of losing her daughter haunts her every day. Revathi beautifully captivates this conflict right through her eyes. Mani Ratnam beautifully portrayed these very rare forms of motherhood.
NAYAKAN
In the film Nayakan, Saranya Ponvannan played the role of Neela. Neela is not strong, wise, or intelligent. She had high goals to achieve and touch the sky but patriarchy pulled her down. Mani Ratnam through Neela shows how patriarchy can bring down a woman and their dreams. Yet, Neela chose to believe in men and life and never gave up on her love as well.
BOMBAY 
Manisha Koirala as Banu in the Bombay film directed by Mani Ratnam was a fighter and she loved her husband and family equally a lot. As Mani Ratnam tells us the story of most late 90s women that are forced to leave their religion for their husbands, Manisha Koirala perfectly fitted in the character and never gave up on her faith, her family, and her love as she fought for togetherness.
RAAVANAN
Aishwarya Rai played the role of Ragini in this film. Veera abducts Ragini and takes her into the forest. Ragini, who is also the wife of the police, jumps off the cliff when Veera wants to push her off to avenge his sister’s death. Bold and fierce Ragini never complies with Veera’s wants even when her life is at stake.
KANNATHIL MUTHAMITTAL
Simran played her role perfectly as Indira in this movie. Shattering all societal judgments and stigma, Indira is the mother the world fails to understand. Indira’s love for her adopted child is equal and unabated as supposed to her biological children. Indira’s unsolicited love only goes to show that motherhood need not be biological to prove its strength.
OK KANMANI
Nithya Menon plays Tara in OK Kanmani. Tara projects as a bold and beautiful independent woman living together with her boyfriend Aadi. She’s that one gentle lover on the inside who didn’t want to lose her love and ultimately her partner amidst modernization and urbanization. She is that woman who is individual and contemporary.
PONNIYIN SELVAN-1
Trisha plays the role of Kundhavai in this film. Kundavai’s brothers may be great warriors, but she bears a great political mind. When her father Samrat is ill, and the throne is in trouble, Kundhavai drives people, executes strategies, and tries to keep her brothers Aditha Karikalan and Arulmozhi Varman together.
Mani Ratnam’s magic in carrying beautiful stories portraying women from every generation will remain special always.
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