M. N. Nambiar

Biography

M. N. Nambiar (born Manjeri Narayanan Nambiar) was a film actor in Tamil cinema who dominated the industry in the role of villain for around 50 years. Also known as Nambiar Swami or Maha Guruswami, he was a spiritual leader who pioneered the movement of taking pilgrims to Sabarimala. Nambiar started as a hero, Nambiar Guruswami soon started donning the role of a villain — so much so that today his name is synonymous with villainy in Kollywood. Nambiar swami has worked with seven generations of actors. His first pay was Rs.3 with Boys Company. He would retain Rs.1 and send Rs.2 to his mother. He made quite a statement in the early 50s with his portrayal of 11 roles in Digambara Samiyar, one of his films as the Lead. His arresting performance in films such as Manthiri Kumari, Velaikaari, Ayirathil Oruvan, Thillana Mohanambal, Missiyamma and Nenjam Marappadillai paved way for a very successful career that spanned over five decades. A majority of the more than 1000 films that he has done is in Tamil, though he has acted in Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi, besides an English film `Jungle' (with Rod Cameron, the film's hero, directed by William Burke) in which he appears in a few brief sc…

Movies & TV Shows

1. Baba (2002) — Baba's Maternal Uncle
2. Gentleman (1993) — Ramesh's Father
3. Yejaman (1993) — Vaanavarayan's grandfather
4. Thillana Mohanambal (1968) — Maharaja of Madhanpur
5. Winner (2003) — Velayutham
6. Captain Prabhakaran (1991) — Special Task Force Officer
7. Aayirathil Oruvan (1965) — Pirate Captain
8. Pasamalar (1961) — Rathnam
9. Naan Sigappu Manithan (1985) — Senior Police Officer
10. Poove Unakkaga (1996) — Sadhasivam
11. Guru (1980) — Head of anti-social group
12. Sethupathi I.P.S (1994) — Ramarathnam
13. Ulagam Sutrum Valiban (1973)
14. Kadhal Sadugudu (2003) — Kausalya`s Grandfather
15. Pulan Visaranai (1990) — DGP
16. Sharjah to Sharjah (2001) — Valiya Kappithan
17. The Jungle (1952) — Mahaji
18. Naan Mahaan Alla (1984) — GMK
19. Endrendrum Kadhal (1999) — Sethupathi, Vijay's father
20. Enga Veettu Pillai (1965) — Gajendran
21. Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu (1986) — Hindi Teacher and Noorjahan's Father
22. Vinnukkum Mannukkum (2001) — Cameo
23. Urimai Kural (1974) — Doreswamy
24. Uthama Puthiran (1958) — Naganathan
25. Kalyana Parisu (1959)
26. En Kelvikku Enna Bathil (1978)
27. Arasa Kattalai (1967)
28. Naan Aanaiyittal (1966)
29. Nadodi Mannan (1958)
30. Bhaaga Pirivinai (1959)
31. Ninaithadhai Mudippavan (1975) — Mohan
32. Savale Samali (1971) — Rajavelu
33. Thanippiravi (1966) — Sub-inspector Soundharam
34. Ram Lakshman (1981) — Chandrasekar
35. Rajapart Rangadurai (1973) — Somasundaram
36. Thangamalai Ragasiyam (1957)
37. Jallikkattu (1987)
38. Then Nilavu (1961) — Raj
39. En Annan (1970) — Nayagam
40. Neeya? (1979) — Appu Kuttan