M. N. Nambiar
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.
203 acting credits
Acting · 203
Vinnukkum Mannukkum
2001
Sethupathi I.P.S
1994
Poove Unakkaga
1996
Thotta Chinungi
1995
Pasamulla Pandiyare
1997
Kumbakarai Thangaiah
1991
Ninaikkatha Naalillai
2001
Vallal
1997
Ezhai Jaathi
1993
Jagathalaprathapan
1990
Thooral Ninnu Pochu
1982
Baba
2002
Thambi Thanga Kambi
1988
Gentleman
1993
Thadavara
1981
Avasara Police 100
1990
Saranam Ayyappa
1980
Endrendrum Kadhal
1999
Karuppu Nila
1995
Kadhal Sadugudu
2003
Kaaval Dheivam
1969
The Jungle
1952
Enga Ooru Pattukaran
1987
Thaai Naadu
1989
Lakshmi Kalyanam
1968
Periya Veettu Panakkaran
1990
Enga Veettu Pillai
1965
Enga Ooru Sippai
1991
Kuttrapathirikai
2007
Paandi Naattu Thangam
1989
Dharma Devathai
1986
Ram Lakshman
1981
Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran
1988
Sivandha Mann
1969
En Annan
1970
Navarathinam
1977
Uzhavan Magan
1987
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
1973
Nermai
1985
Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan
1978
Rojavanam
1999
Naan Mahaan Alla
1984
Aayirathil Oruvan
1965
Enga Oor Raja
1968
Kaaval Nilayam
1991
Thai Veedu
1983
Varushamellam Vasantham
2002
Kaaviya Thalaivan
1992
Uthama Puthiran
1958
Sakthi
1980
Kattumarakaran
1995
Nallavan
1988
Anbe Anbe
2003
Puthiya Theerpu
1985
Sathyam
1976
Neeya?
1979
Sirithu Vazha Vendum
1974
Thaai Mookaambikai
1982
Deiva Thirumanangal
1981
Thillana Mohanambal
1968
Sharjah to Sharjah
2001
Sangili
1982
Ratha Paasam
1980
Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu
1986
Sandhippu
1983
Deiva Magan
1969
Netru Indru Naalai
1974
Winner
2003
Puthiya Theerppu
1985
Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala
2001
Sakkarai Devan
1993
Ezhuthatha Sattangal
1984
Adi Parasakthi
1971
Aavesham
1979
Yejaman
1993
Pelli Naati Pramanalu
1959
Sudesi
2006
Poo Parikka Varugirom
1999
Ninaithadhai Mudippavan
1975
Harichandra
1968
Meenava Nanban
1977
Nenjam Marappathillai
1963
Rani Samyuktha
1962
Meenatchi Thiruvilaiyadal
1989
Pulan Visaranai
1990
En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
1978
Guru
1980
Miruthanga Chakravarthi
1983
Nadodi Paattukkaran
1992
Neengalum Herothan
1990
Rajaraja Cholan
1973
Periya Marudhu
1994
Garjanai
1981
Villu Pattukaran
1992
Velundu Vinaiyillai
1987
Savale Samali
1971
Tharaasu
1984
Padagotti
1964
Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam
1955
Bhooloka Rambai
1958
Raja Rishi
1985
Kanne Pappa
1969
Nadodi Mannan
1958
Maanagara Kaaval
1991
Amara Deepam
1956
Thanga Manasukkaran
1992
Saatchi
1983
Thanga Pappa
1993
Captain Prabhakaran
1991
Manaivi Oru Mandhiri
1988
Then Nilavu
1961
Simma Soppanam
1984
Naan Sigappu Manithan
1985
Paasamalargal
1994
Lorry Driver Rajakannu
1981
Eetti
1985
Thozhilali
1964
Poonthottam
1998
Kalyana Parisu
1959
Nambinar Keduvadhillai
1986
Sarithira Nayagan
1984
Dowry Kalyanam
1983
Anjal Petti 520
1969
Paattukku Oru Thalaivan
1989
Kudiyirundha Koyil
1968
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
1950
Dheiva Thaai
1964
Urimai Kural
1974
Thangamalai Ragasiyam
1957
Annaiyin Aanai
1958
Naan Petra Selvam
1956
Thanippiravi
1966
Errakota Veerudu
1973
Mohini
1948
Idhaya Veenai
1972
Kaavalkaaran
1967
Kolilakkam
1981
Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran
1988
Thaali Bhagyam
1966
Arasa Kattalai
1967
Annai Illam
1963
Vettaikaaran
1964
Ragasiya Police 115
1968
Vetrikku Oruvan
1979
Kalai Arasi
1963
Rajapart Rangadurai
1973
Vetri
1984
Kudumba Thalaivan
1962
Iru Medhaigal
1984
Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga
1977
Krishnan Vandhaan
1987
Punniya Boomi
1978
Naalai Namadhe
1975
Rajarajan
1957
Thirisoolam
1979
Raasaiyya
1995
Needhiyin Nizhal
1985
Arasilangumari
1960
Thangapadumai
1959
Vaazhkai
1984
Kannamma
1972
Jallikkattu
1987
Nadodi
1966
Pasamalar
1961
Adimai Changili
1997
Rambayin Kadhal
1956
En Kadamai
1964
Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga
1977
Marmayogi
1951
Nallavan Vazhvan
1961
Bhaaga Pirivinai
1959
Thigambara Samiar
1950
Vamsa Vilakku
1984
Moovendhar
1998
Ambikapathy
1957
Nil Gavani Kadhali
1969
Manthiri Kumari
1950
Aasai Mugam
1965
Rajakumari
1947
Raman Thediya Seethai
1972
Naan Aanaiyittal
1966
Parvaiyin Marupakkam
1982
Oorukku Oru Pillai
1982
Chandhrodhayam
1966
Mugaraasi
1966
Naam
1953
Doctor Savithri
1955
Chitor Rani Padmini
1963
Devaki
1951
Andhaman Kaidhi
1952
Makkalai Petra Magarasi
1957
Sarvadhikari
1951
Thaayin Madiyil
1964
Anna Nee En Deivam
1976
Abhimanyu
1948
Illarame Nallaram
1958
Ellorum Innattu Mannar
1960
Karpukarasi
1957
Pudhiya Boomi
1968
Vanangaamudi
1957
Thirudadhe
1961
Sarangadhara
1958
Velaikari
1949