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Manivannan (31 July 1953 – 15 June 2013) was an Indian actor, film director, screenwriter, voice artist, playback singer and social activist who worked 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 thrived in experimenting with different genres, before becoming an actor. With over 400 films to his name, Manivannan was one of the most experienced actors in the field and directed exactly 50 films. Manivannan was mainly a supporting actor in films and often played the comedian, supporting character and villainous roles.
He supported various political parties, including the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam and the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam. He later became affiliated with the Naam Tamilar Katchi. He also had been a long supporter of Sri Lankan Tamil nationalism.
He penned the story and dialogues for some of his mentor's films between 1980 and 1982 like Nizhalgal, Tick Tick Tick, Alaigal Oivathillai and Kaadhal Oviyam. Manivannan assisted Bharathiraja in a handful of films like Red Rose (Hindi) starring Rajesh Khanna, Kotha Jeevithalu (Telugu), and Lovers (Hindi). He learned trade hard and fast within two years under Bharathiraja.
As a director, he made films in different genres – from romance to thriller to drama. He made his directorial début with Gopurangal Saivathillai in 1982. He had also penned the story and dialogues for a bunch of other films like Lottery Ticket acted by Mohan and Prabhu, Agaya Gangai acted by Karthik, Nesam acted by Ajith Kumar. In Rajinikanth's Kodi Parakuthu, directed by Bharathiraja, Manivannan did the villain's role.
He was most known for his acting skills among public. He was considered unique in the industry for his wisdom and his character roles. He had acted alongside many stars including Sivaji Ganeshan, Kamal Haasan, Rajinikanth, Sathyaraj, Vijayakanth, Mohan, Karthik, Sarathkumar, Murali, Vijay, Ajith Kumar, Madhavan and among others.
Manivannan directed 50 films including a few ventures in Telugu and Hindi. The Hindu wrote that his film Amaidhi Padai (1994) "has set the standards for political satire in Tamil cinema".
His protégés include directors Vikraman, R K Selvamani, Sundar C, Seeman, K Selva Bharathy, Radha Bharathi, C V Sasikumar, E. Ramdoss, Jeeva Balan and Rasu Madhuravan.
In the late 1990s and early 2000s, Manivannan prioritised his acting career. At the height of his acting career, six of his film released on the same day in January 1998. Certain directorial ventures which he had started including Aaruvathu Sinam featuring Sathyaraj and Prabhu, were delayed and then dropped. He directed his 50th and last film Nagaraja Cholan MA, MLA (2013), a sequel to Amaidhi Padai. Manivannan directed his best friend Sathyaraj in a good 25 films
Manivannan was a Tamil patriot and joined the Marumalarchi Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (MDMK) political party and campaigned for them during the 2006 Assembly elections. He later joined Naam Tamilar Katchi and has been as supporter of Tamil Eelam.
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