M. N. Nambiar
Acting · Born Mar 5, 1919 · Died Nov 19, 2008 (89) · Kannur, Kerala, India
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 scenes. The film was released in 1952. The Hindi film he acted in was a remake of the Tamil Kanavane Kankanda Deivam. After becoming popular in Tamil films he started his own drama troupe called Nambiar Nataka Mandram. They staged two plays — `Kaviyin Kanavu' and a comedy play `Kalyana Supermarket.' Nambiar swami was that rare contradictory personality - a cruel, charming villain on the silver screen while being a very pious man in real life. He was also a pure vegetarian and teetotaler. He was also an ardent devotee of Sabarimala Sri Ayyappan. He has had a long association with the temple, and visited the shrine more than 65 times over the last half a century; this has led to him being called Maha Guruswamy. His colleagues noted that he died during the famous Sabarimala season and it may be due to the blessing of his Lord.
Films
Kuttrapathirikai
2007
Sudesi
20065.0
Winner
20034.6
Anbe Anbe
20036.5
Kadhal Sadugudu
20035.9
Baba
20026.3
Varushamellam Vasantham
2002
Sharjah to Sharjah
20015.4
Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala
2001
Vinnukkum Mannukkum
20012.6
Poo Parikka Varugirom
1999
Rojavanam
19994.0
Endrendrum Kadhal
19996.5
Adimai Changili
19975.0
Pasamulla Pandiyare
1997
Poove Unakkaga
19967.6
Thotta Chinungi
1995
Karuppu Nila
1995
Periya Marudhu
19943.0
Paasamalargal
1994
Sethupathi I.P.S
19948.2
Gentleman
19937.4
Sakkarai Devan
19939.0
Yejaman
19937.2
Villu Pattukaran
19926.0
Thanga Manasukkaran
19929.0
Maanagara Kaaval
1991
Captain Prabhakaran
19916.6
Kumbakarai Thangaiah
19917.0
Avasara Police 100
19908.0
Periya Veettu Panakkaran
1990
Neengalum Herothan
1990
Jagathalaprathapan
19905.0
Pulan Visaranai
19906.0
Paattukku Oru Thalaivan
19898.0
Thaai Naadu
1989
Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran
19887.0
Thambi Thanga Kambi
198810.0
Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran
1988
Jallikkattu
19877.5
Krishnan Vandhaan
19879.0
Enga Ooru Pattukaran
198710.0
Velundu Vinaiyillai
19875.0
Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu
19866.4
Nambinar Keduvadhillai
1986
Raja Rishi
19859.0
Eetti
1985
Nermai
1985
Naan Sigappu Manithan
19856.4
Iru Medhaigal
1984
Ezhuthatha Sattangal
1984
Vaazhkai
19846.5
Tharaasu
1984
Vetri
19848.0
Naan Mahaan Alla
19845.5
Sandhippu
19837.0
Dowry Kalyanam
1983
Thai Veedu
19834.0
Ram Lakshman
19817.5
Kolilakkam
19818.0
Deiva Thirumanangal
19819.0
Saranam Ayyappa
1980
Sakthi
19808.0
Guru
19806.2
Ratha Paasam
1980
Aavesham
1979
Thirisoolam
19797.0
Neeya?
19797.0
En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
19785.0
Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan
19789.0
Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga
19776.5
Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga
19778.0
Sathyam
1976
Anna Nee En Deivam
1976
Ninaithadhai Mudippavan
19757.0
Sirithu Vazha Vendum
19746.0
Urimai Kural
19746.7
Netru Indru Naalai
197410.0
Rajapart Rangadurai
19736.5
Errakota Veerudu
19734.0
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
19734.8
Rajaraja Cholan
19738.5
Kurathi Magan
19727.0
Adi Parasakthi
19717.0
Savale Samali
19715.5
Kulama Gunama
19716.5
En Annan
19706.8
Sivandha Mann
19696.0
Deiva Magan
19697.0
Anjal Petti 520
19696.0
Kaaval Dheivam
196910.0
Nil Gavani Kadhali
1969
Lakshmi Kalyanam
1968
Harichandra
19688.0
Thillana Mohanambal
19687.3
Kudiyirundha Koyil
19686.5
Kaavalkaaran
19677.0
Aayirathil Oruvan
19655.8
Enga Veettu Pillai
19657.2
Padagotti
19647.5
Thozhilali
1964
Nenjam Marappathillai
19638.3
Kalai Arasi
1963
Rani Samyuktha
1962
Then Nilavu
19616.5
Nallavan Vazhvan
19617.0
Pasamalar
19616.7
Kalyana Parisu
19595.7
Pellinaati Pramanalu
19587.5
Nadodi Mannan
19586.3
Annaiyin Aanai
19588.0
Bhooloka Rambai
195810.0
Thangamalai Ragasiyam
19577.0
Rambayin Kadhal
1956
Amara Deepam
19569.0
Tenali Raman
19568.0
Naan Petra Selvam
1956
Kaveri
1955
The Jungle
19524.5
Sarvadhikari
195110.0
Marmayogi
19517.0
Thigambara Samiar
1950
Manthiri Kumari
195010.0
Velaikari
19498.0
Abhimanyu
1948
Rajakumari
19478.0