Tamil actor Manobala passes away at 69

Veteran Comedy actor and filmmaker Manobala passed away on Wednesday. He was aged 69.

He was reportedly suffering from liver-related health issues. He breathed his last at his Saligramam residence in Chennai.

Photo Credit: Manobala

He started off his career as an assistant director to noted filmmaker Bharathiraja with 'Puthiya Vaarpugal' in 1979. He turned independent filmmaker with Karthik and Suhasini's 'Agaya Gangai' in 1982.

He then directed movies such as Sivaji Ganesan's 'Parambariyam', Vijayakanth's 'En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan', Rajinikanth's 'Oorkavalan', Sathyaraj's 'Malluvetti Minor', and Mohan's 'Pillai Nila', etc.

In total, he directed 24 movies. Later, he worked as a supporting actor in over 300 films.

'Pagaivan', 'Kaakha Kaakha', 'Boys, 'Pithamagan,' 'M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi', 'Anniyan', 'Ghajini', 'Varalaru', 'Kireedam', 'Azhagiya Thamizh Magan', 'Yaaradi Nee Mohini', 'Kuselan', 'Aadhavan', 'Singam', 'Nanban', 'Kaththi', 'Thuppakki', 'Raja Rani' and 'Kanchana 2' were some of his notable movies.

Meanwhile, his fans and well-wishers have expressed their shock over his demise.

Actor Gautam Karthik took to Twitter to mourn his death and wrote, "Heartbreaking to hear that Director/Actor #Manobala sir is no longer with us. Was a true pleasure to work with you sir! You will be surely missed! 💔 Condolences to family, friends and loved ones...#RIPManobala[sic]"

Filmmaker and critic Dr Dhananjayan Govind recalled Manobala as a "sweet person" and tweeted, "Shocking & it's unbelievable such a sweet person & a good friend #Manobala sir passed away. Heartfelt condolences to the family. May his soul rest in peace 🙏

Actor Mohan Raman thanked Manobala for getting him his first "big cheque." "OH MY GOD ......This is unbelievable . My friend , Director , Fellow Actor - you have left us all . RIP Manobala, thank you for everything my friend from your lessons in facing the Camera to the first big cheque you got me for KARUPPU VELLAI . Stay blessed ," he said on Twitter.