Manivannan (31 July 1954 – 15 June 2013) was a popular Tamil actor and director. With over 400 films to his name, Manivannan is one of the most experienced actors in the field. He normally plays the role of a dad or a senior comedian.

Personal Life

Character actor Manivannan hails from a small town called Sulur in Coimbatore district. While doing his P.U.C. in Kovai Govt. Arts College, he made friends with a lanky young contemporary: Sathyaraj. Their friendship stood the test of time and proved to be mutually rewarding. While still a collegian, Manivannan was bitten by the stage-bug and consequently he staged a few performances. Inspired by the impact the film Kizhakkae Pogum Rail made on him, he feverishly scribbled a fan mail to the filmmaker Bharathiraja and the letter ran to more than a hundred pages. Bharathiraja liked the earnest impressions made by the bearded and emaciated man from Coimbatore. He took him under his fold as an apprentice. Manivannan joined Bharathiraja's camp around 1979, when the revolutionary director was acting in and directing a real classic, Kallukkul Eeram.

He learnt the trade hard and fast and penned the story and dialogues for some of his mentor’s films like Nizhalgal, Tick Tick Tick, Alaigal Oayvathillai and Kaathal Ovium. Manivannan assisted Bharathiraja in a handful of films like Puthya Vaarppugal, Koththa Jeevithaalu (Telugu), Kizhakkae Pogum Rail (Telugu), Red Rose (Hindi) and Lovers (Hindi). He had also penned the story and dialogues for a bunch of other films like Lottery Ticket acted by Prabhu, Aagaaya Gangai acted by Karthik, Naesam acted by Ajithkumar. In Kodi Parakkuthu, directed by Bharathiraja, Manivannan did the villain’s role. Amaithip Padai, directed by Manivannan, is believed to have given him headway as an actor. He started getting plush offers and was seen acting in as many as thirty films a year.

Manivannan joined the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) political party and campaigned for them during the 2006 Assembly elections.

His all-time favourites are evergreen actors T.S. Balaiya and S.V. Ranga Rao. He is a great fan of the comic genius Charlie Chaplin. Actor Sathyaraj is his best friend and his favorite actor in Tamil cinema. He also likes old MGR movies. Akira Kurosawa, Satyajit Ray and Bharathiraja are his favorite directors.

His father R.S. Maniam was a rice merchant, textile trader and a well known politician in coimbatore. Manivannan's mother is Maragatham who also contested in the elections and won a seat in the panjayat. Manivannan's wife is Sengamalam. This couple has a daughter by name Jothi who has done her mba and currently working for an mnc and a son Raghu who is acting in the movies and is popularly known as Raghuvannan. Manivannan is a simple down-to-earth person and is known for his good deeds.

Death

Manivannan died shortly after the release of his 50th directorial venture Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA due to a heart failure on June 15, 2013.

Film career

Although Manivannan has directed films in Tamil he is most known for his acting. He is unique in the industry for his wisdom and his character roles. He has acted alongside many a star including Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan among others. He has starred in over 400 films.

Manivannan has so far directed fifty films including a few ventures in Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi. Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA is the 50th film directed by Manivannan which is Sathyaraj's 200th film also. Manivannan has cast Sathyaraj in a good 25 films. His protégés have proved themselves as successful directors. Vikraman, R. K. Selvamani, Sunder C, Seemaan, K. Selvabharathi, Radhabharathi, C. V. Sasikumar, E. Ramadoss and Jeeva Balan once took orders for Manivannan. Withering irony, and a very cool way of delivering the dialogues is Manivannan’s motif and style in films.

Filmography

Actor

• Kalavadiya Pozhudugal (2013) - Delayed
• Udhaya Neram (2013) - Delayed
• Madha Gaja Raja (2013) - Post Production
• Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA (2013)
• Naan Rajavaga Pogiren (2013)
• Sooran (2013)
• Bakthan (2012)
• Sadhurangam (2012)
• Velayudham (2011)
• Vengayam
• Ilaignan
• Thillalangadi
• Pollaachi Maappillai
• Puli Vesham
• Aayutham Seivom
• Naalai Namadhe
• Mayandi Kudumbathar
• Ellam Avan Seyal
• Kuruvi
• Bommalattam (2008)
• Seena Thana 001
• Sivaji
• Aathi
• Thambi
• Majaa
• Ji
• Rendu
• Kodambakkam
• Vishwa Thulasi (2004)
• Sullan (2004)
• Engal Anna (2004)
• Arasatchi (2004)
• Enakku 20 Unakku 18 (2003)
• Alaudin (2003)
• Parthiban Kanavu (2003)
• Vaseegara (2003)
• Priyamana Thozhi (2003) ....
• Pammal K. Sambandam (2002)
• Panchathanthiram (2002)
• Youth
• Red (2002)
• Ennavale (2001)
• Paarthale Paravasam (2001)
• Engalukkum Kaalam Varum
• Dumm Dumm Dumm
• Asathal
• Sonnal Than Kathala
• Mitta Mirasu
• Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000)
• Mugavaree (2000)
• Sanditha velai
• Rhythm (2000)
• Simmaasanam
• Budget Padmanabhan
• Vaanavil
• Maayi
• Pottu Ammam
• Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven (2000)
• Chinna Durai (1999)
• Veerathaalaattu
• Pattali
• Hello
• Periyanna
• Poomagal Oorvalam
• Oruvan
• Chinna Raja
• Nilave Mugam Kaattu
• Nenjinile
• Simmaraasi
• Mudhalvan (1999)
• Mugam (1999)
• Rajasthan (1999)
• Padayappa (1999)
• Sangamam (1999)
• Thodarum (1999)
• En Aasa Raasaave
• Desiya Geetham (1998)

• Priyamudan (1998)
• Naam Iruvar Namakku Iruvar (1998)
• Ninaithen Vandhai (1998)
• Veeram Velanja Mannu (1998)
• Thulladha Manamum Thullum (1998)
• Poonthottam (1998)
• Unnudan (1998)
• Color Kanavugal
• Gurupaarvai
• Kadhal Kavithai
• Sandhippoma
• Kaadhale Nimmadhi
• Once More (1997)
• V.I.P (1997)
• Janakiraman
• Periya Idathu Maappillai
• Periya Manushan
• Kaalamellam Kadhal Vaazhga
• Nerukku Ner
• Pistha
• Pudhayal
• Nesam
• Vallal
• Kaadhalukku Mariyadhai (1997)
• Kadavul (1997)
• Porkaalam (1997)
• Avvai Shanmughi (1996) .... Mudaliyar
• Ullathai Allitha
• Manikkam (1996)
• Purushan Pondatty (1996)
• Poomani (1996)
• Maanbumigu Maanavan (1996)
• Mettukudi (1996)
• Viswanath (1996)
• Selva (1996)
• Senathipathi (1996)

Director[edit]

• Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA (2013)
• Aandan Adimai (2001)
• Gangai Karai Pattu (1995)
• Thozhar Pandian (1994)
• Raasa Mahan (1994)
• Veera Padhakkam (1994)
• Amaidhi Padai (1994)
• Moondravadhu Kann (1993)
• Government Mapillai (1992)
• Therku Theru Machan (1992)
• Pudhu Manithan (1991)
• Santhana Katru (1990)
• Vazhkkaichakkaram (1990)
• Manidhan Marivittan (1989)
• Ullathil Nalla Ullam (1988)
• Ganam Kortaar Avargale (1988)
• Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi (1987)
• Jallikattu (1987)
• Kalyana Kacheri (1987)
• Puyal Padum Pattu (1987)
• Theertha Karayinile (1987)
• Ini Oru Sudhanthiram (1987)
• Muthal Vasantham (1986)
• Palaivana Rojakkal (1986)
• Vidinja Kalyanam (1986)
• Anbin Mugavari (1985)
• Nooravathu Naal (1984)
• 24 Mani Neram (1984)
• Ambigai Neril Vandhal (1984)
• Ingeyum Oru Gangai (1984)
• Janavary-1 (1984)
• Kuva Kuva Vaathugal (1984)
• Ilamai Kalangal (1983)
• Veetile Raman Velile Krishnan (1983)
• Jothi (1983)
• Gopurangal Saivadhillai (1982)

Writer

• Nizhalgal
• Alaigal Oivathillai
• Aagaaya Gangai
• kaadhal oviyam