Manivannan (31 July 1953 – 15 June 2013) was an Indian actor, film director and screenwriter known for his work in Tamil cinema. In a career spanning three decades, he went from being a story and dialogue writer for director Bharathiraja from 1980–82 to a successful director who throve in experimenting with different genres, before becoming an actor.[1] With over 400 films to his name, Manivannan was one of the most experienced actors in the field and has directed exact 50 films.[2] Manivannan was mainly a supporting actor in films and often played the comedian, supporting character and villain roles.[1]
The following is Manivannan's filmography. He has worked as a director, script and dialogue writer and as an actor. Manivannan has acted in over 400 films and directed 50 films throughout his career.[3]
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Kallukkul Eeram | Assistant director | ||
| Nizhalgal | Also writer | |||
| 1982 | Ragabanthangal | |||
| 1984 | Nooravathu Naal | Also director | ||
| 1988 | Kodi Parakuthu | G.D. | ||
| 1989 | Manidhan Marivittan |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Mugavaree | CD Shop Owner | |
| Sandhitha Velai | |||
| Kandukondain Kandukondain | Sivagnanam | ||
| Unnai Kodu Ennai Tharuven | |||
| Maayi | Servant | ||
| Budget Padmanabhan | |||
| Rhythm | |||
| Vaanavil | Ramasamy | ||
| Pottu Amman | |||
| Penngal | Sodalai | ||
| Ennavale | Subramani | ||
| 2001 | Nila Kaalam | Television film | |
| Engalukkum Kaalam Varum | Mannangatti | ||
| Piriyadha Varam Vendum | Dhaadi | ||
| Dumm Dumm Dumm | Sivaji | ||
| Asathal | |||
| Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala | Roja's father | ||
| Lovely | Mahadevan | ||
| Kabadi Kabadi | |||
| Mitta Miraasu | |||
| Paarthale Paravasam | Nellai Amaran | ||
| Kasi | Irulaandi | ||
| Azhagana Naatkal | Rajasekhar | ||
| 2002 | Red | Narayanan | |
| Pammal K. Sambandam | |||
| Phantom | Varadaraja Perumal | Malayalam film | |
| Raajjiyam | |||
| Panchathanthiram | Diamond smuggler(Maggie’s boss) | ||
| Guruvamma | |||
| Youth | Sandhya's father | ||
| Kubusam | Telugu film | ||
| En Mana Vaanil | |||
| 2003 | Vaseegara | Mani | |
| Anbe Anbe | |||
| Parthiban Kanavu | Sathya's father | ||
| Priyamana Thozhi | Peter | ||
| Kadhal Kisu Kisu | Sriram's father | ||
| Alaudin | |||
| Anjaneya | Paramaguru's neighbour | ||
| Enakku 20 Unakku 18 | Preeti's Father | ||
| 2004 | Engal Anna | SP's uncle | |
| Sullan | Mani | ||
| Arasatchi | |||
| Vishwa Thulasi | |||
| Gomathi Nayagam | Nanjappan | ||
| 2005 | Ayodhya | Sabapathy | |
| Ji | Kaasi | ||
| London | Bhaskharan | ||
| Arputha Theevu | Maharaja | Tamil Version | |
| Padhavi Paduthum Paadu | Marudhanayagam | ||
| Majaa | Govindan | ||
| 2006 | Aathi | Mani | |
| Kodambakkam | Ramasamy Gounder | ||
| Thambi | |||
| Something Something... Unakkum Enakkum | JP | ||
| Rendu | |||
| Sivappathigaram | Sathyamoorthy's father | ||
| 2007 | Mudhal Kanave | ||
| Nee Naan Nila | Chellappa | ||
| Sivaji | Arumugam | ||
| Cheena Thaana 001 | Inspector Parameshwaran | ||
| Nam Naadu | Purushothaman | ||
| Rameswaram | Jeevan's grandfather | ||
| Puli Varudhu | Ramesh's father | ||
| 2008 | Thodakkam | ||
| Sadhu Miranda | |||
| Nenjathai Killadhe | Vasanth's father | ||
| Kuruvi | Singamuthu | ||
| Aayutham Seivom | VBR | ||
| Raman Thediya Seethai | Manikkavel | ||
| Ellam Avan Seyal | Veeramani | ||
| Bommalattam | Village Chief | ||
| 2009 | Mayandi Kudumbathar | Mayandi | |
| Innoruvan | Sadhasivam | ||
| Naalai Namadhe | Mani | ||
| Vaalmiki |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Pollachi Mappillai | ||
| Thillalangadi | |||
| 2011 | Ilaignan | ||
| Puli Vesham | |||
| Vengayam | |||
| Sadhurangam | |||
| Velayudham | Rathnavelu | ||
| 2012 | Madha Gaja Raja | Unreleased | |
| 2013 | Naan Rajavaga Pogiren | Kamaraj | |
| Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA | Manimaran | Last film | |
| 2014 | Ninaithathu Yaaro | Himself | Guest appearance; posthumous film |
| Sooran | Posthumous film | ||
| Year | Title | Song | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Poomani | "Eduthu Viduda Mappillai" | Ilayaraja | |
| 1997 | Nandhini | "Maanoothu Odaiyila" | Sirpy | [5] |
| 1997 | Ettupatti Raasa | "Karikalai Puttukittu" | Deva | [6] |