Manobala
Introduction '''Balachandar''' (8 December 1953 – 3 May 2023), known by his stage name '''Manobala''', was an Indian actor, film producer, director, comedian, and YouTuber who predominantly played supporting roles in Tamil-language films. He worked predominantly in the film industry for nearly forty years and was notable for his unique body language and dialogue delivery and was also well known for his intonation.
Early life Manobala was born as Balachandar in a village near Nagercoil, but did most of his primary education in Bangalore and Thirukattupalli for grades 10 and 11.He later studied at the Government College of Fine Arts, when he started writing articles under the pen name Manobala, and also learnt Bharatanatyam and the Veena.
Career Manobala started his career in Tamil cinema in the early 1970s and with a reference from Kamal Haasan became an assistant director on Bharathiraja's 1979 film ''Puthiya Vaarpugal''. He made his directorial debut with ''Agaya Gangai'' (1982) but it was a box office failure. His second film as director, ''Pillai Nila'' (1985) was more successful.Manobala continued to direct with such films as ''Oorkavalan'' (1987), ''En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan'' (1989), and ''Dhoorathu Pachai'' (1987) which were critically acclaimed by the critics and were well received by audiences. He often collaborated with some of the leading actors of his generation, including Vijayakanth, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Karthik. He made his Bollywood debut as director with ''Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai'' (1990), and his television serial directorial debut with ''Panchavaranam.'' He had directed 24 films in his career, but he later focused his career as an actor in the 2000s when he began working full time as an actor.Manobala appeared in over 700 films. He played minor roles in most of the films as he regularly shared screenspace with veteran comedians Vadivelu and Vivek. He was known for his comic roles in films including ''Ice'', ''Nanban'', ''Chandramukhi'', ''Pithamagan'', ''Thamizh Padam'', ''Kavalai Vendam'', ''Kalakalappu'', ''Siruthai, Alex Pandian, Aranmanai, Aambala,'' and ''Yaaradi Nee Mohini''. Manobala made his debut as film producer with H. Vinoth's directorial venture ''Sathuranga Vettai'', for which he received the Best Debut Film Producer award at the South Indian International Movie Awards.Manobala launched a YouTube channel named "Waste Paper", where he interviewed several directors and actors. In 2022, he received a doctorate degree from the South Western American University in recognition of his contributions to films. He also received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Global Achievers Council. He featured as one of the contestants in the reality television show ''Cooku with Comali'' in 2022''.''
Personal life Manobala was married to Usha Mahadevan, and they have a son.
Death Manobala died at his residence in Chennai on 3 May 2023, reportedly due to liver issues, at age 69.Prior to this, he had also undergone an angio treatment in January 2023 after experiencing chest pain. He was a heavy smoker of cigarettes and was addicted to smoking during the peak of his career as a film director.
Filmography === Director ======= Films ==== Year Film Notes 1982  ''Agaya Gangai''  1985  ''Pillai Nila''  1985  ''Naan Ungal Rasigan''  1986  ''Paaru Paaru Pattanam Paaru''  1986  ''December 31''  Kannada 1987  ''Sirai Paravai''  1987  ''Dhoorathu Pachai''  1987  ''Oorkavalan''  1988  ''Chutti Poonai ''  1989  ''En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan''  1989  ''Moodu Manthiram''  1989  ''Thendral Sudum''  1990  ''Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai''  Hindi 1990  ''Mallu Vetti Minor''  1991  ''Vetri Padigal''  1991  ''Moondrezhuthil En Moochirukkum''  1992  ''Shenbaga Thottam''  1993  ''Mutrugai''  1993  ''Karuppu Vellai''  1993  ''Paarambariyam''  1997  ''Nandhini''  2000  ''Annai''  2001  ''Siragugal''  Telefilm 2002  ''Naina'' ==== Serials ==== Year Series Network 1999  ''Panchavarnam'' Sun TV 2000 ''Punnagai'' 2009  ''777'' Polimer TV=== As an actor ====== Tamil films === Year Film Role Notes 1979  ''Puthiya Vaarpugal''  Panchayat Member ''Niram Maaratha Pookkal''  1980  ''Kallukkul Eeram''  1981  ''Tik Tik Tik''  1982  ''Gopurangal Saivathillai''  Pathani Bhai 1994  ''Rasa Magan''  Broker ''Thozhar Pandian''  ''Thai Maaman''  Guest Appearance1995  ''Gangai Karai Paattu''  ''Rani Maharani''  1997  ''Nesam''  Telephone booth owner ''Nandhini''  ''Pagaivan''  Govindhan ''Ratchagan''  Kanniyappan 1998  ''Swarnamukhi''   Translator ''Natpukkaga''    Madurai ''Thalaimurai''  1999  ''Chinna Raja''  ''Anantha Poongatre''  Poongavanam ''Minsara Kanna''  Vedhachalam's henchman ''Taj Mahal''  ''Sethu''  Tamil Teacher2000  ''Annai''  Moses ''James Pandu''  Railway porter2001  ''Nila Kaalam'' ''Samudhiram''  Professor2002  ''Naina''  ''Villain''  Minister's brother-in-law 2003   ''Student Number 1''  Daas ''Banda Paramasivam''  Police Inspector  ''Nala Damayanthi''  Passport Officer ''Jayam''  Kamalesh ''Whistle''  ''Ice''  ''Kaakha Kaakha''  Ramana ''Diwan''  ''Boys''  Ajay ''Three Roses''  ''Pithamagan''  Sakthi's uncle ''Jay Jay''  Jamuna's family friend ''Anbe Un Vasam''  Professor ''Kadhal Kirukkan''  Doctor ''Soori''  Container passenger 2004  ''Aethirree''  Seshagopalan ''Campus''  Nallathambi ''Arul''  Customer ''Perazhagan''  Nair ''M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi''  Ganesh's father ''Bose''  ''Attahasam''  Semi Joseph ''Dreams''  Moosa ''Maha Nadigan''  2005   ''Aayudham''  ''Devathaiyai Kanden''  Daas ''Ji''  Train passenger ''Kodambakkam''  ''Thaka Thimi Tha''  Bala ''Chandramukhi''  Fake Exorcist ''Priyasakhi''  Babloo ''6'2''  Krishnamurthy's father ''Anniyan''  Ticket Conductor ''Ghajini''  Ad Director ''Sorry Enaku Kalyanamayidichu''  2006  ''Thambi''  ''Unarchigal''  Manager ''Thirupathi''  Police inspector ''Thalai Nagaram''  Police inspector ''Parijatham''  ''Naalai''  ''Kusthi''  ''Imsai Arasan 23rd Pulikecei''  Kollan ''Ilavattam''  ''Dharmapuri''  Silandhi Karuppu's henchman ''Varalaru''  Police Constable ''Vathiyar''  Ayyanar's father 2007   ''Deepavali''  Villager''Muruga''  ''Koodal Nagar''  Doctor ''Parattai Engira Azhagu Sundaram''  ''Madurai Veeran''  Shiva's grandfather ''Nee Naan Nila''   Professor ''Thullal''  Building secretary ''Kireedam''  Constable ''Malaikottai''  Bhaskar's aide ''Pasupathi c/o Rasakkapalayam''  Constable Naidu ''Azhagiya Thamizh Magan''  TTR ''Kannamoochi Yenada''  Senthilkannu ''Polladhavan''  2008  ''Pirivom Santhippom''  Natesan's manager ''Sila Nerangalil''  ''Vambu Sandai''  ''Maanavan Ninaithal''  Professor ''Vaitheeswaran''  Dhanasekaran's Henchman ''Yaaradi Nee Mohini''  Balu ''Santhosh Subramaniam''  Loan Officer ''Arai En 305-il Kadavul''   Vengi Raja ''Madurai Ponnu Chennai Paiyan''  Bala Nair ''Sutta Pazham''  Assistant commissioner ''Kuselan''  Sub-Inspector ''Unnai Naan''  Vijay's father ''Dhanam''  Cop ''Seval''  ''Silambaattam''   Jaanu's father ''Abhiyum Naanum''  Vardarajan ''Dindigul Sarathy''  Photographer ''Panchamirtham''  2009  ''Anjathe''  Murugesan ''TN 07 AL 4777''  Police constable ''Guru En Aalu''  Traffic Inspector ''Thoranai''  Ganesan ''Maasilamani''  Advocate ''Sirithal Rasipen''  Siddhu's father ''Indira Vizha''  ''Ninaithale Inikkum''  Class Teacher ''Aarumugam''  ''Oru Kadhalan Oru Kadhali''  Ramaiah ''Aadhavan''  Tara's Uncle ''Kanden Kadhalai''  Mayilvahanam ''Vettaikkaaran''  Reporter 2010  ''Thamizh Padam''  Siddharth ''Thairiyam''  ''Rettaisuzhi''  ''Goripalayam''  ''Kutti Pisasu''  ''Kattradhu Kalavu''  ''Singam''  Mayil's lawyer ''Pournami Nagam''  Swamy ''Indrasena ''  ''Thillalangadi''  Priest ''Baana Kaathadi''  Conductor ''Neeyum Naanum''  ''Puzhal''  Alex ''Drohi''  Raghu ''Thottupaar''  ''Chikku Bukku''  Sekhar's cousin ''Kalloori Kalangal''  Professor ''Agam Puram''  C. Singamuthu ''Siddhu +2''  2011  ''Madhuvum Mythiliyum''  ''Siruthai''  Bhoom Bhoom ''Payanam''  Narayana Shastry ''Thambikottai''  Puli  ''Bhavani''   Ramakrishnan ''Appavi''  College Professor ''Maappillai''  Astrologer ''Eththan''  Bank Manager ''Aanmai Thavarael''  ''Udhayan''  ''Doo''  ''Ramanathapuram''  ''Konjam Veyil Konjam Mazhai''  ''Mudhal Idam''  ''Muni 2: Kanchana''  Priest ''Puli Vesham''  ''Kasethan Kadavulada''  Balram Naidu ''Vandhaan Vendraan''  ''Vellore Maavattam''  ''Sadhurangam''   Thiru's neighbour ''Mambattiyaan''  Annachchi's Accountant ''Mahaan Kanakku''  Traffic Police Officer 2012  ''Vilayada Vaa''  Kothandam ''Nanban''  Bose ''Oru Nadigaiyin Vaakkumoolam''  ''Kondaan Koduthaan''  ''Sooriya Nagaram''  ''Aathi Narayana''  ''Kalakalappu''  Marudhamuthu ''Idhayam Thiraiarangam''  ''Saguni''  Induratagaval ''Meeravudan Krishna''  ''Ajantha''  ''Thuppakki''  Nisha's father ''Akilan''  2013  ''Kurumbukara Pasanga''  ''Alex Pandian''  Captain Divakaran ''Puthagam''  Kalyanasundaram aka Kallis ''Sillunu Oru Sandhippu''  ''Onbadhule Guru''  Bun Rotti Babu ''Oru Mutham Oru Yutham''  Finance Company Boss ''Chennaiyil Oru Naal''  Sathyamoorthy ''Vetkathai Kettal Enna Tharuvaai''  ''Settai''  Gourishankar ''Ethir Neechal''  Gunasekara Raja ''Neram''  Doctor ''Masani''  Priest ''Theeya Velai Seiyyanum Kumaru''  Pencil Mama / Cone Ice ''Thillu Mullu''  Sounderrajan ''Thulli Vilayadu''  ''Pattathu Yaanai''  ''Sonna Puriyathu'' Rajesh Kanna ''Thalaivaa''  Viswa's Follower ''Ainthu Ainthu Ainthu''   Yoga Instructor ''Raja Rani''  Air Voice CEO-Ramamoorthy ''Naiyaandi''  ''Vanakkam Chennai''  Constable ''Ragalaipuram''  Inspector ''Maayai''  ''Naveena Saraswathi Sabatham''  Naradhar ''Kolagalam''  Roadside stall owner 2014  ''Ninaivil Nindraval''  ''Virattu''  ''Oru Kanniyum Moonu Kalavaanikalum''  Chetan ''Tenaliraman''  Education Minister ''Damaal Dumeel''  ''Thalaivan''  ''Yennamo Yedho''  Guruji ''Enna Satham Indha Neram''  ''Ramanujan''  Krishna Rao ''Anjaan''  Director ''Aindhaam Thalaimurai Sidha Vaidhiya Sigamani''  Soori ''Jamai''  Sangili Murugan ''Aranmanai''  Eshwari's husband ''Irumbu Kuthirai''  Pizza Shop Manager ''Poojai''  Kovai Group's Secretary ''Kalkandu''  Principal Kamalnath ''Jaihind 2''   Nandhini's father ''Velmurugan Borewells''  ''Naaigal Jaakirathai''  Pichumani ''Lingaa''  Train Driver ''Vellaikaara Durai''  2015   ''Vettaiyadu''  ''Aambala''  Police Commissioner ''Touring Talkies''  Koteeswaran ''Tamizhuku En Ondrai Azhuthavum'' Swaminathan ''Kaaki Sattai''  Jyothi Lingam ''JK Enum Nanbanin Vaazhkai''  Drawing Artist ''Ivanuku Thannila Gandam''  Dr. Markandeyan ''Sonna Pochu''  ''Nannbenda''  Senthamarai ''Thunai Mudhalvar''  ''Kanchana 2''  Arnold ''Vai Raja Vai''   Mano ''India Pakistan''  Idichapuli ''Vindhai''  ''Massu Engira Masilamani''  Arnold ''Soan Papdi''  ''Palakkattu Madhavan''  Madhavan's boss ''Aavi Kumar''  ''Idhu Enna Maayam''  ''Kalai Vendhan''  ''Savaale Samaali''  Manobala ''Maanga''  Rengasamy Nagarajan ''10 Endrathukulla''  Road Transport Officer Manikandan ''Urumeen''  Soundappan 2016  ''Karai Oram''  ''Peigal Jaakkirathai''  ''Rajinimurugan''  Kunjithapatham ''Aranmanai 2''  Komalam's brother ''Kanithan''  Anu's father ''Pokkiri Raja''  Raghav ''Sowkarpettai''  Mani ''Mapla Singam''  ''Thozha''  Old Age Home Warden ''Theri''  School principal ''Unnodu Ka''  Traffic police ''Pandiyoda Galatta Thaangala''  ''Vellikizhamai 13am Thethi''  Doctor ''Nayagi''  Saradha's husband ''Kadalai''  Businessman ''Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru''  Pesuvadhellam Unmai show director ''Kavalai Vendam''  Pattai Babu ''Virumandikum Sivanandikum''  ''Parandhu Sella Vaa''  ''Andaman''  2017 ''Motta Shiva Ketta Shiva''  GK's sidekick ''465''  ''Vaigai Express''  Kannitheevu Kaarmegam / Thavittaisaamy ''Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen''  Swamy ''Thirappu Vizha''  ''Adhagappattathu Magajanangalay''  ''Sathura Adi 3500''  Gauri Shankar ''Katha Nayagan''  Swamy ''Hara Hara Mahadevaki''  Bhakta ''Theeran Adhigaaram Ondru''  Priya's father ''Laali''  2018  ''Kalakalappu 2''  Ganesh's assistant ''Solli Vidava''  Apartment president ''Nagesh Thiraiyarangam''  Priya's father ''Kaathadi''  ''Merlin''  ''Abhiyum Anuvum''  Abhi's boss ''Traffic Ramasamy''  Judge ''Kaathiruppor Pattiyal''  Kunjitha Padham ''Semma Botha Aagathey''  Devi's father ''Inba Twinkle Lilly''  China ''Kadaikutty Singam''  Judge ''Tamizh Padam 2''  Siddharth ''Ghajinikanth''  Kamal Vishwanathan ''Marainthirunthu Paarkum Marmam Enna''  ''Seema Raja''  Headmaster ''Koothan''  Film Director ''Kalavani Mappillai''  ''Kaatrin Mozhi''  Murthy ''Utharavu Maharaja''  ''Sei''  Film director ''Thulam''  2019  ''Maanik''  ''LKG''  Mukesh ''Thirumanam''  Narasimhachari ''Kee''  College Professor ''Gurkha''  Kavariman ''Jackpot''  Rice Mill Rayyappan ''Zombie''   Chinna Thambi's Father in law ''En Kaadhali Scene Podura''  ''Ongala Podanum Sir''  Chairman Kasthuriman ''Aruvam''  School Head Master ''Bigil'' Professor ''50 Roova'' 2020  ''Ayya Ullen Ayya''  ''Pachai Vilakku''  Professor ''Dagaalty''  Film director ''College Kumar''  College peon ''Asuraguru'' Shakthi's boss2021  ''Naanum Single Thaan''  Udhay's father ''Chakra''  Gayathri's uncle ''Engada Iruthinga Ivvalavu Naala''  Ganesan''Rudra Thandavam''  Pastor ''Aranmanai 3''  Pencil ''Raajavamsam''  Odduvathi Sekar''Operation Jujupi''  God ''Murungakkai Chips''  Lingusamy2022  ''Naai Sekar''  Gopi ''Yutha Satham''  Nagulan's boss ''Ranga''  ''Oh My Dog''  Police inspector ''Koogle Kuttappa''  Doctor ''Don''  School Teacher''Naai Sekar Returns''Naamakatti Narayanan ''Ranga''  ''Padaippalan''  ''Super Senior Heroes''  Mohan ''Radha Krishna''  ''Dha Dha''  ''Gurumoorthi''  ''Mofussil''  Police officer2023  ''Kondraal Paavam''  ''Ghosty''  Priest ''Tamilarasan''  ''Theera Kaadhal''  NewlywedPosthumous release ''Kasethan Kadavulada''  SundaramPosthumous release ''Kabadi Bro'' Posthumous release ''Rayar Parambarai'' Posthumous release ''Saandrithazh'' Posthumous release ''Kick''  Shivani's bossPosthumous release ''Irugapatru''  Arjun's bossPosthumous release ''Chandramukhi 2'' Fake exorcistPosthumous release ''Dhillu Irundha Poradu''  Posthumous release ''80s Buildup''  Posthumous release2024  ''Chiclets'' PharmacistPosthumous release ''E-mail''  Kailasam   Posthumous release ''Indian 2'' Posthumous release ''Andhagan''  Police OfficerPosthumous release''Kadhal Conditions Apply''Posthumous release=== Telugu films === Year Film Role 2008  ''Kathanayakudu'' Sub-Inspector 2009   ''Punnami Naagu''  Police Officer 2011  ''Gaganam''  Narayana Shastry 2014  ''Manasunu Maaya Seyake''  Sundaram2016  ''Oopiri''  Old Age Home Warden ''Nayaki''  Saradha's husband2018  ''Mahanati''  P. Pullaiah ''Devadas''  Tata Rao 2019  ''Rajdooth''   Lender 2020  ''College Kumar''  College peon 2023  ''Waltair Veerayya''  Judge=== Malayalam films === Year Film Role 2017  ''Jomonte Suvisheshangal''  Perumal 2018  ''B.Tech''  Mano ''Abhiyum Anuvum''  Abhi's boss 2022   ''Viddikalude Mash'' === Television === Year Series Role Network Note 2005–2006 ''Alli Rajjiyam'' Namachivayam Sun TV  2018 ''Maya''Bhadra 2020–2021''Sembaruthi''PerumalZee Tamizh 2021''Rajaparvai''HimselfSun TV2022''Cooku with Comali (season 3)''CookStar VijayEliminated on Episode 14=== As producer === Year Film Notes 2014  ''Sathuranga Vettai'' SIIMA Award for Best Debut Producer 2017  ''Paambhu Sattai'' === As dubbing artist === Year Film Role Notes2019''The Lion King''  Zazu (John Oliver)  Tamil version
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