Chennai:
Noted Tamil filmmaker, writer and actor R. Manivannan died at his Ramavaram residence in Chennai on Saturday following a massive heart attack. He was 59. Having played character roles in more than 400 Tamil, Telugu and Hindi films, he made his directorial debut with Gopurangal Saivadhillai. His last and 50th directorial venture was Nagaraja Cholan MA MLA , a sequel to his 1994 blockbuster Amaidhipadai.
It all began for him when as a student in Sulur, Coimbatore district, he sent a 100-page fan mail to director Bharathyraja. And soon he found himself working as an assistant with him. Bharathyraja later introduced him as an actor in his film Kodi Parakkudhu and his popularity grew in both comic and negative roles.
Some of his best films as an actor include Mudhalvan, Sangamam and Ullathai Allitha, Amaidhipadai, and Avvai Shanmugi. He also turned writer with films like Tick Tick Tick, Agaya Gangai and Kadhal Ovium. And teaming up with his best friend Sathyaraj, he directed him in 25 films.
The combo worked wonders at the box office. His protégés include Vikraman, R. K. Selvamani, Sunder C, Seemaan, K. Selvabharathi, Radhabharathi and E.Ramadas who have now made a mark as independent directors in Tamil cinema themselves.
Always keen on making a film on the problems of Sri Lankan Tamils, he was a member of the “Naam Tamizhar” (We Tamils) group and in fact he supported the Sri Lankan Tamil cause so much that he said recently, “When I die, I want my body to be handed over to (Tamil director) Seeman and my funeral must take place under his guidance.”
Manivannan is survived by wife Sengamalam, son Raghuvannan and daughter Jothi.
source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> News> Current Affairs / DC / by Anupama Subramanian / June 16th, 2013