Remembering Actor-Writer-Director Manivannan on his 72nd Birth Anniversary

Manivannan was born on 31 July 1963 in Coimbatore district. He was involved in more than 400 films – first as writer, then as director and then as an actor. Altough he is best known to audiences as an actor, he directed exactly 50 films in a career that spanned 33 years, with three posthumous releases.

He began as a writer and directorial assistant to Bharathiraja in the film Nizhalgal. Although the film was a commercial failure, it went on to achieve cult status and was highly praised when it was screened at international film festivals.

Manivannan also scripted Alaigal Oyvathillai, the debut film of Karthik and Radha and also penned Kamalhaasan’s Tik Tik Tik and Kaadhal Oviyam.

He made his directorial debut with Gopurangal Sayvathillai in 1982 and went on to write and direct films in various genres, including the highly successful thriller, Nooraavathy Naal.

As an actor, he has shared the screen with all major actors of his time. He played a variety of roles, ranging from character artist to villainy but was most at home with comedy.

He directed, among others, Sivaji Ganesan, Mohan, Vijayakanth, Prabhu, Murali  and Sathyaraj. The roles he crafted for Nooraavathu Naal and 24 Mani Neram boosted Sathyaraj’s career. Manivannan also mentored directors like Sundar C, R.K. Selvamani, Vikraman, Seeman and K. Selvabharathuy. His last directorial, his 50^th, was Nagaraja Cholan MLA.

Manivannan passed away on 15 June 2013 at the age of 59.