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Photos: Actor-director Manivannan no more, funeral held on Sunday
Chennai: Southern actress Komal Sharma, who worked with late actor-director R Manivannan in his last Tamil directorial outing Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA, remembers him as a father figure and a great human being.
Manivannan passed away at his residence here following a cardiac arrest on Saturday. He was 58. "I still can't believe he is no more. I met him two weeks back in his house and we were discussing about his next project. I used to call him appa (father) because he was like a father to me. I will always remember him as a great human being," Komal told.
Komal was hoping to work with him again. "He wanted to cast me in his next project. We met recently to discuss one of his projects that he wanted start next," said Komal.
She said Manivannan was absolutely fine when she met him, but he was worried about his wife's health condition. "He said that her health condition was worsening. I know their family very well, especially his son and daughter," she said.
Manivannan's Son Raghuvannan
His son Raghuvannan, also an actor, was last seen in Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA. He recently signed the dotted line to play lead in upcoming Tamil romantic-drama Thalattu Machi Thalattu. Manivannan's daughter Jothi is married and settled with her family.
The death of popular Tamil actor-director Manivannan, who passed away due to a cardiac arrest here on Saturday, has sent shock waves through the Tamil film industry. Celebrities say they will remember him as a great soul who was versatile, talented and humble.
Sathya Raj And Vijay
One of the most influential writers, actors and directors, Manivannan starred in over 400 Tamil films and helmed 50 Tamil films in a career spanning three decades. He was 58.
Southern actress Khushbu Sundar remembers him as a great soul. "RIP Manivannan sir. (He was) my husband's (Sundar C) guru. (I) learnt the finer nuances of being a producer's director from him. (A) great soul. We will miss you, sir," Khushbu posted on her Twitter page.
Especially known for his roles in films such as Avvai Shanmugi, Amaidhi Padai and Ullathai Allitha, Manivannan was regarded as one of the best character actors of Tamil cinema.
Vijay Was Shocked To Hear The News
Southern actress Priyamani, who was yet to work with him, posted on her Twitter page, "(I) haven't had the opportunity to work with him, but what a versatile actor-director."
Tamil actor Subbu Panchu posted, "RIP Manivannan sir, we will miss you. What a writer, director (and) actor. (It's a) huge loss to the Tamil film industry."
Ilayaraja Paid His Respects
Manivannan was a member of Naam Tamizhar (We Tamils) group. He supported the Sri Lankan Tamils so much that he got his son engaged to a Sri Lankan Tamil girl not long ago.
Recently, speaking at the audio launch of Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA, which was his 50th directorial film, he said, "When I die, I want my body to be handed over to (Tamil director) Seeman and my funeral should take place under his guidance." Seeman, who is Manivannan's protege, heads the Naam Tamizhar group.
Actor Nazar Was At The Funeral Too
Bollywood actor Sonu Sood also mourned Manivannan's death and said he considers himself lucky to have worked with him. "(I) just got to know about Manivanan sir's demise. An actor so humble, (I) was lucky to work with him in my 1st film and recently again shot with him," posted Sonu Sood on his Twitter page. Sonu worked with Manivannan in his Tamil debut Kallazhagar and recently in Madha Gadha Raja.
Actor - Director C Sunder
Tamil producer Dhayanidhi Alagiri, tweeted, "We lost one of finest actor(s) of Tamil cinema."
His funeral was attended by big names in the Tamil film fraternity and politicians, who paid their last respects to one of Tamil cinema's coveted character actors.
Cheran Paid His Respects
An influential writer, versatile actor and a satirist, Manivannan donned multiple hats in his career spanning three decades. While he started his career as a writer and penned story and dialogues for Tamil films such as Nizhalagal, Tick Tick Tick and Alaigai Oivathillai, he gained prominence as an actor and director.
Sathya Raj And Nazar
Having directed 50 films, mostly featuring his friend and co-actor Sathyaraj, he is known for some of the blockbusters like Jallikattu, Chinna Thambi Periya Thambi and Pudhu Manithan. He directed Sathyaraj in more than 20 Tamil films, including Government Mappillai, Amaidhipadai and Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA.
Tamil Industry Was Moved By This Sad News
As an actor, he is mostly remembered for playing roles with negative shade and the hero's father or uncle in over 400 films. He gained immense popularity for his performance in Tamil films Sangamam, Avvai Shanmugi, Mudhalvan and Ullathai Allitha.
A political satirist, both on and off the screen, he was a member of Naam Tamizhar (We Tamil) group and fought for the betterment of Sri Lankan Tamils. Recently, he even got his son Raghu engaged to a Sri Lankan Tamil girl.
Sathyaraj Was Very Upset With The News
He was also an ardent supporter of the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE). After his demise on Saturday, his body was covered with an LTTE flag. Manivannan was not only remembered as a great actor and director, but also as a humble human being.
In his condolence message, DMK chief M Karunanidhi said, "A talented person has left us all too suddenly."
