Recently, Time magazine announced its list of the 100 greatest films of all time, and the eclectic selection includes five Indian films.

While none would question the brilliance of the selected Indian classics like Satyajit Ray's Apu Trilogy, Guru Dutt's Pyaasa and Mani Ratnam's Nayakan, rediff.com decided to ask Indian filmmakers, artistes, technicians and critics what they felt were the best Indian films of all time.

Today, we feature Sabu Cyril, one of India's most respected art directors. His latest film to hit the screens is Shankar's Anniyan.

"I am not a film buff at all," he confessed to Shobha Warrier. "I don't watch all the films released in India. So I will not call my list a list of India's best films. It's a list of the best films I have seen, the films that have stayed in my memory. I saw almost all these films when I was not a technician."

Check out what our top moviemakers say about India's Best Films











Thulabharam

I saw this Malayalam film when I was very young, but it still stays in my mind because of the way poverty was depicted. It touched me so much that even after ten years, I felt bad about the people who suffered in the film.

Director: A Vincent










Nayakan

I was in college when I watched this great Tamil film. I liked its technical excellence and look.

Director: Mani Ratnam












Pushpak

If I ever make a film, I want to make it like this silent movie. It could hold the attention of viewers without any dialogues. It was brilliant.

Director: Singeetham Srinivasa Rao










Mouna Ragam

I like the way the story unfolded, its narration. I find this Tamil screenplay perfect.

Director: Mani Ratnam










Raaja Paarvai

One of my favourite films. I found it visually very appealing because of the work of Thotta Tharani, the art director. It was his first film. I like the aesthetic look and the way Thotta Tharani created Kamal's house. Kamal acted as a blind man, and it was an out and out Kamal film. This Tamil film changed my life.

Director: Singeetham Srinivasa Rao









Ormakkayi

I liked the way Bharatan narrated the story. The Malayalam film starts with the heroine's release from jail, and the story unfolds. The title was very apt. The story touched me a lot.

Director: Bharatan










Oru Minnaminuginte Nurungu Vettam

This Malayalam film is about two lonely, retired school teachers played superbly by Nedumudi Venu and Sharada, and how their lives change with the arrival of a young girl. By this time, I had started appreciating films in a different way. It is amazing to see how the director made a film from a very thin thread. A wonderful film.

Director: Bharatan










1942: A Love Story

Aesthetically and art direction wise, a very good Hindi film. I like the way the songs were shot.

Director: Vidhu Vinod Chopra










Netrikkan

A typical commercial film. Rajnikanth has a double role, that of father and son. He has done an excellent job. I didn't expect him to act so well.

Director: S P Muthuraman










36 Chowringhee Lane

As good as any international English film. After I saw Black, I was reminded of 36 Chowringhee Lane, and felt the latter was more apt for the situation and surroundings. I love it.

Director: Aparna Sen




Comment on Mr Cyril's list

I used to think this was a very unique/great movie but now I feel its not "that" great. During the silent era this is pretty much how movies were made and people enjoyed them. Even now I regularly take my Chaplin dose-of-films. Other non-comedy films that I have seen which were equally riveting include Sunrise, Birth of a Nation, Metropolis, Nosferatau, Cabinet of Dr. Caligari etc. - all excellent films that hopefully i will never get tired off .

I think the 'silence' in the movie is really a gimmick and nothing more, they were bold enough to allow the action to speak louder than words and they pulled it off in style. Was it experimental - yes it was , but that’s where it stops. To me pushpak is really a 1920's film made/shown in the 80's. If there is anything great about it then I have to acknowledge that it is a very good satire along the lines of Jane bhi do yaraoo (which I think is little more edgy )

I could not get through the Tamil remake because it was so melodramatic. Is it worth watching in full?

What film is this in tamil ?

It is also called Thulabaram in Tamil. It stars Sarada, Kanchana, AVM Rajan, Nagesh, and Muthuraman. It directed by Vincent, who directed the Mallu original. I can post screenshots from the Pyramid DVD if you want, though it is typical Pyramid quality.

I guess i have not heard of the movie before .., dont worry about screenshots but i would be intersted to see how the coverart looks ( maybe i will recognize it then )

Thanks