Manivannan
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Manivannan (MBA) is 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.
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[edit] Film Career
Manivannan has directed over 45 films in India including some Hindi and Telugu ventures. But is most known for his acting. He is likened to a 'cuddly teddybear' by the industry for his wiseness and his character roles. He has acted along many a star including Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Vijay, Ajith among others. He has starred in over 400 films.
[edit] Personality
Character actor Manivannan hails from a small village called Sulur in Coimbatore district. While doing his P.U.C. in Kovai Govt. Arts College, he made friends with a lanky young man who happened to be his contemporary and the young man is none other than Sathyaraj. Their friendship stood the test of time and proved to be a mutually rewarding relationship. 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 Bharthiraja 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), "Lovers" (Hindi) and "Kizhakkae Pogum Rail"(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 the headway as an actor. He started getting plush offers and was seen acting in as many as thirty films in a year. Manivannan is a disbeliever of God and an ardent follower of the revolutionary Periyar. He had promoted his faith by taking part in rationalist propaganda and oratory.
Manivannan has so far directed a count of forty-five films including a few ventures in Telugu and Hindi. 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. His favourites are oldies T.S. Balaiya and S.V. Ranga Rao. He is a great fan of the comic genius Charlie Chaplin. Sathyaraj is his pet and favourite in Tamil cinema. He loves to watch MGR in action. Akiro Kroshawa (Japan), Sathyajit Ray and Bharathiraja are his favourites in direction! His father R. Subramaniam is a rice merchant as well as a textile trader.Manivannan's mother is Maragatham. He has one elder sister and two younger sisters. Manivannan's wife is Sengamalam. This couple has a daughter by name Jothi and a son called Raghu.
[edit] Notable Film Filmography
- Aathi
- Avvai Shanmugi
- Desiya Geetham
- Dumm Dumm Dumm
- Enakku 20 Unakku 18
- Ennavale
- Kaadhal Kavithai
- Kandukondain Kandukondain
- Majaa
- Vanavil
- Mudhalvan
- Nerrukku Ner
- Parthale Paravasam
- Porkaalam
- Priyamana Thozhi
- Red
- Rhythm
- Sivaji: The Boss
- Thambi
- Vishwa Thulasi