In Monobala’s passing, Tamil cinema loses an ‘enthusiast of cinema’

South Indian film industry mourns Manobala

Manobala, a well-known comedian, actor, director and producer in the South Indian film industry, passed away at 69 in Chennai yesterday. According to sources, he had been undergoing treatment for liver issues. He was highly regarded for his contributions to Tamil cinema. Credit: BCCL

From Balachander to stardom

Manobala's real name was Balachander, but he changed it to Manobala for his acting career. He debuted as an actor in the Tamil movie "Panathottam" in 1978. Credit: BCCL

Classical dancer

In addition to acting, Manobala was also a trained classical dancer. Credit: BCCL

Manobala's journey into film direction

He directed his first film, ‘Agaya Gangai,’ in 1982 and went on to direct several other movies in Tamil. Credit: BCCL

Versatile actor

Manobala was a prolific actor, appearing in more than 500 films in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. Credit: BCCL

Award-winning comedian

He was known for his impeccable comic timing and won several awards for his performances as a comedian. Credit: BCCL

Close friend to superstar Rajinikanth

Manobala was a close friend of superstar Rajinikanth, and the two had acted together in several movies. Credit: BCCL

Manobala: A giving heart

Manobala was a philanthropist who actively supported various charitable initiatives throughout his career. Credit: BCCL

A beloved figure

He was a humble, down-to-earth person loved and respected by his colleagues and fans. Condolences poured in from all over, including from Rajinikanth and Kamal Haasan, who both mourned the loss of a dear friend. Haasan said, “His primary identity was that of an enthusiast of cinema.” Credit: BCCL