Mani Ratnam & Ravi Varman Movies Together List — 3 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-07-13 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Mani Ratnam and Ravi Varman appeared together in 3 Tamil films between 2002 and 2023. Their highest-rated collaboration was Ponniyin Selvan 1 (2022 — 7.8/10). Films span Five Star (2002) through Ponniyin Selvan 2 (2023).
The Mani Ratnam & Ravi Varman partnership
After 20 years apart, they came back together for Ponniyin Selvan 1 (2022). They didn't share a set between 2002 and 2022. From Five Star (2002) to Ponniyin Selvan 2 (2023).
Their most recent film, Ponniyin Selvan 2, came out in 2023 — the partnership is still active. Ponniyin Selvan 1 is the one most viewers reach for.
The shape of the work
The 2000s belonged to Five Star; the 2020s to Ponniyin Selvan 1. Never on the same side of the camera — Mani Ratnam director, Ravi Varman director of photography, across all 3 films. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
3 films across 2 decades
The 2000s accounted for 1 film, averaging 4.7/10.
The 2020s brought 2 films together, anchored by Ponniyin Selvan 1 (7.8/10).
- Five Star
- Ponniyin Selvan 1
- Ponniyin Selvan 2
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
3 films across 21 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
60% of Ravi Varman's screen credits are with Mani Ratnam.
Before Five Star, Mani Ratnam had directed 19 films, including Bombay (1995) and Indira (1995).
After Ponniyin Selvan 2, Mani Ratnam went on to direct 1 more film, including Thug Life (2025).
Five Star was Ravi Varman's acting debut.
After Ponniyin Selvan 2, Ravi Varman went on to appear in 2 more films, including Love Insurance Kompany (2026) and V. Shantaram (2026).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Mani Ratnam & Ravi Varman's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan is the through-line — cast on 2 of their 3 films.
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