Chennai Diaries

yes sir GLOBE GRAPES big round once first time seeing them that’s why still remember even after all these years, but the fruit is good and fresh and sweet

 

I just came across this message about manobala: it might interest you and IL folks:
In 1976, a Young man was serving food at the shooting spot of 16 Vayathinile. Kamal Hassan was a fast eater, a very fast eater. He finished his food very fast and would find nobody else had finished and so he began to befriend this man who was his age

He found out to his surprise that the man wasn't working as an assistant for Bharathiraja nor was he working for the Producer. He was here , had come because there was a shooting and had decided to stay there and join the shooting even unpaid

He was pursuing his Teachers Training Program but abandoned it due to his passion for Cinema This was the origin of MANOBALA

He was called Balachander and changed his name to avoid confusion with the legendary K Balachander Kamal introduced Manobala to Bharathiraja who told him to join him as an Assistant only after finishing his Teachers training

Bharathiraja was not serious. He thought Manobala would get on with his life.
Instead Manobala joined him after waiting at his office for 4 days after finishing his Teachers Training

Manobala, Manivannan were Bharathirajas Assistants

They joined him just as Bhakyaraj was leaving to make his own career Manivannan handled Story

Manobala handled Dialogues They became the GREATEST FRIENDS

Unlike the Impassioned Manivannan who discussed Politics and Communism every 24 hours , Manobala was one of the least political people and quickly made friends especially with Kamal Hassan and Rajinikanth
He also began acting in small roles in films directed by Manivannan and also worked as Manivannans Assistant , now handling Stories

He also gave Tuitions in Mathematics and History and Tamil , once famously writing an Essay that won him an award with Dinamalar and a picture with then CM MGR in 1985

He also taught a young boy Maths for 2 years for Class VII and VIII at the request of his father. That Young boy is called THALAPATHY today
Yet Cinema was his greatest passion and he wanted more than anything to act in movies

In 1981, Manivannan finally had a story for Manobala
Financier Nachiyappan coughed up ₹10 Lakhs

The movie starred Karthik and flopped badly After 3 years, he got another chance and directed Pillai Nila and this movie became a Hit and Manobala was finally starting his trip

This began a Golden run where Manobala directed hits between 1986 and 1990 without a single flop Ironically Oorkavalan starring Rajini turned out to be his least profitable venture (<20%)

Post 1990, all his films flopped and he was phased out as a Director
Around the same time his best friend Manivannan also decided to quit directing after leaving on a high with Amaidhi Padai and advised Manobala to go back to acting
He found work in small roles , mainly as a Comedian with bigger comedians

Vivek and Vadivelu worked with him and included him in their Skits
His TTR role in Anniyan began his popularity even as a small comedian with other bigger ones

He ended up in over 160 films from 2000 to 2023 before his death
He worked with Santhanam and even Yogi Babu as the straight man

He was a CHAIN SMOKER
He himself admitted to smoking 5 Packs a day on an Average between 1981 to 1996

He also drank quite heavily alongside Buddy Manivannan whenever they shot movies He quit smoking in the 2000s but drank a lot even until 2015 when he was booked for a Drunk and Drive that he paid a huge fine for

This ruined his liver
It was this that caused his death , a disease called Liver Cirrhosis

His Last Rememberance was heavily attended
Ironically another buddy — MAYILSWAMY passed away a few months ago

His old student Vijay came without fail to say goodbye despite his busy scheduleEarlier Kamal had offered to fly Manobala to US for a Transplant but the Doctor said “Too Late"

Manobalas last act was to shoot a video for his YouTube Channel and meet someone to get a cheque as advance for a role for a new movie

And we must not forget CHIRANJEEVI

I don't know how well he knew Manobala but the Actor got VIP treatment in Apollo & his final bill was WAIVED OFF
Chiranjeevi likely footed the bill
He chose to go home and spend the time with his family where he died
Rest in Peace Manobala.

 

May his soul rest in peace.

 

If it is sent to the department from above, then the chances of something being done faster are higher.

 

Making use of online portal of PMO WOULD result in salutary effect.
Pl Check website:
Any grievances can be sent to Hon'ble Prime Minister / PMO using the interactive page link "Write to the Prime Minister" available on the PMO's website: Prime Minister of India → Interact with Hon'ble Prime Minister(from drop How can I file my Grievance down menu) →Write to the Prime Minister.