Manivannan

Manivannan, man, what a character—born smack in the middle of Sulur back in 1954, when Madras State was still a thing. This guy wasn’t just hanging around for fun; he hustled his way into being one of those faces you just can’t forget if you’re into Tamil cinema. Seriously, you pop in a classic from the ‘80s or ‘90s, chances are this dude’s in it—either cracking you up, making you nervous, or just stealing the whole damn scene. He wasn’t just mugging for the camera either. Nah, he got behind it too, and that’s where stuff got wild. Let’s talk about his work—Jallikkattu, Nooravathu Naal, Pudhu Manithan… those movies are like the holy trinity for cinephiles around here. Nooravathu Naal? That one’s got cult status written all over it—spooky vibes, twists, and Manivannan just weaving through the plot like he owns the joint. And Jallikkattu, well, if you want raw, gritty drama with a punch, that’s your ticket. Pudhu Manithan? The man’s versatility just slaps you in the face. He could be the villain, the comic relief, or the guy with a heart of gold—sometimes all in one movie. He kept you guessing, which was half the fun. Offscreen, he kept things pretty low-key. Married to Sengamalam, not much tabloid drama, just living his life. When he passed away in 2013 in Chennai, it felt like the industry lost its sense of mischief. The kind of guy who’d leave a gap you just can’t fill, you know? His legacy isn’t just the movies—it’s the chaos, the laughs, and those moments where you realize, damn, they don’t make ‘em like that anymore.