profile

    M. N. Nambiar

    1919-03-05 (105 years old) in 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.

    Movies

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    Kuttrapathirikai
    0 %|Mar 23, 2007
    Crime, History, Thriller
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    Sudesi
    50 %|May 8, 2006
    Drama
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    Winner
    51 %|Sep 27, 2003
    Romance, Action, Comedy
    poster
    Anbe Anbe
    65 %|May 1, 2003
    Romance, Family, Drama
    poster
    Kadhal Sadugudu
    61 %|Apr 13, 2003
    Drama, Romance, Action
    poster
    Baba
    63 %|Aug 15, 2002
    Drama, Action, Fantasy
    poster
    Varushamellam Vasantham
    0 %|May 3, 2002
    Drama, Romance, Family
    poster
    Sharjah to Sharjah
    53 %|Dec 25, 2001
    Drama, Comedy
    actor
    Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala
    0 %|May 25, 2001
    Romance, Drama
    poster
    Vinnukkum Mannukkum
    26 %|Mar 30, 2001
    Romance, Comedy
    actor
    Poo Parikka Varugirom
    0 %|Sep 17, 1999
    Drama
    poster
    Rojavanam
    40 %|Jul 30, 1999
    Drama, Romance
    poster
    Endrendrum Kadhal
    60 %|Mar 5, 1999
    Drama
    actor
    Poonthottam
    0 %|Jul 10, 1998
    actor
    Moovendhar
    58 %|Jan 1, 1998
    Family
    poster
    Adimai Changili
    50 %|Sep 5, 1997
    Drama, Action
    actor
    Pasamulla Pandiyare
    0 %|Jun 6, 1997
    Drama
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    Vallal
    0 %|Apr 18, 1997
    poster
    Poove Unakkaga
    72 %|Feb 15, 1996
    Romance, Comedy, Drama
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    Thotta Chinungi
    0 %|Dec 15, 1995
    Family, Drama
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    Raasaiyya
    70 %|Aug 24, 1995
    Comedy, Drama
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    Kattumarakaran
    0 %|Jan 15, 1995
    Romance, Drama
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    Karuppu Nila
    0 %|Jan 6, 1995
    Family, Drama, Action
    poster
    Periya Marudhu
    30 %|Nov 2, 1994
    Drama
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    Sethupathi I.P.S
    80 %|Oct 24, 1994
    Action, Thriller
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    Paasamalargal
    0 %|Feb 5, 1994
    Romance, Drama
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    Gentleman
    72 %|Jul 30, 1993
    Action, Crime
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    Sakkarai Devan
    0 %|Jul 10, 1993
    Drama
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    Thanga Pappa
    0 %|Jun 13, 1993
    Family, Horror, Drama
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    Yejaman
    71 %|Feb 18, 1993
    Drama
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    Ezhai Jaathi
    30 %|Feb 13, 1993
    poster
    Villu Pattukaran
    60 %|Nov 27, 1992
    actor
    Kaaviya Thalaivan
    0 %|Oct 25, 1992
    Action, Romance, Drama
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    Nadodi Paattukkaran
    0 %|May 16, 1992
    Drama
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    Thanga Manasukkaran
    0 %|Mar 19, 1992
    Drama
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    Maanagara Kaaval
    0 %|Jun 28, 1991
    Action, Thriller
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    Kaaval Nilayam
    30 %|May 11, 1991
    Action
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    Enga Ooru Sippai
    0 %|Apr 14, 1991
    Drama
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    Captain Prabhakaran
    66 %|Apr 14, 1991
    Action, Thriller
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    Kumbakarai Thangaiah
    0 %|Jan 14, 1991
    Drama
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    Avasara Police 100
    0 %|Oct 17, 1990
    Action, Comedy
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    Periya Veettu Panakkaran
    0 %|Jun 11, 1990
    Drama
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    Neengalum Herothan
    0 %|May 25, 1990
    Drama, Comedy
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    Jagathalaprathapan
    50 %|Mar 17, 1990
    poster
    Pulan Visaranai
    52 %|Jan 14, 1990
    Action, Crime, Thriller
    actor
    Meenatchi Thiruvilaiyadal
    50 %|Aug 25, 1989
    History
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    Paandi Naattu Thangam
    0 %|Jun 19, 1989
    Romance, Drama, Action
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    Paattukku Oru Thalaivan
    0 %|Mar 17, 1989
    Drama
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    Thaai Naadu
    0 %|Feb 16, 1989
    Family, Action, Thriller
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    Manaivi Oru Mandhiri
    0 %|Sep 2, 1988
    Family, Comedy, Drama
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    Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran
    0 %|Aug 27, 1988
    Romance
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    Nallavan
    0 %|Aug 15, 1988
    Family, Drama, Action
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    Thambi Thanga Kambi
    0 %|Jul 15, 1988
    Drama
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    Poonthotta Kavalkaran
    0 %|Jun 10, 1988
    Drama
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    Uzhavan Magan
    40 %|Oct 21, 1987
    Action
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    Jallikkattu
    50 %|Aug 28, 1987
    Drama
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    Krishnan Vandhaan
    0 %|Aug 28, 1987
    Drama
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    Enga Ooru Pattukaran
    0 %|Apr 14, 1987
    Romance, Drama
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    Velundu Vinaiyillai
    50 %|Mar 13, 1987
    Drama
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    Dharma Devathai
    0 %|Nov 1, 1986
    Action, Drama
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    Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu
    62 %|Sep 12, 1986
    Drama, Romance
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    Nambinar Keduvadhillai
    0 %|May 23, 1986
    Drama
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    Puthiya Theerpu
    0 %|Oct 4, 1985
    Action, Drama
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    Puthiya Theerppu
    35 %|Oct 4, 1985
    Action, Comedy
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    Raja Rishi
    0 %|Sep 20, 1985
    Drama
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    Eetti
    0 %|Aug 30, 1985
    Drama
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    Nermai
    0 %|May 3, 1985
    Drama
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    Needhiyin Nizhal
    0 %|Apr 12, 1985
    Drama
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    Naan Sigappu Manithan
    64 %|Apr 12, 1985
    Action, Drama
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    Vamsa Vilakku
    0 %|Oct 23, 1984
    Drama
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    Iru Medhaigal
    0 %|Sep 14, 1984
    Drama
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    Ezhudhaadha Sattangal
    0 %|Aug 15, 1984
    Romance
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    Simma Soppanam
    0 %|Jun 30, 1984
    Drama
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    Sarithira Nayagan
    0 %|May 26, 1984
    Drama
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    Vaazhkai
    60 %|Apr 13, 1984
    Drama
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    Tharaasu
    0 %|Mar 15, 1984
    Drama
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    Vetri
    0 %|Feb 17, 1984
    Action, Drama
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    Naan Mahaan Alla
    50 %|Jan 14, 1984
    actor
    Miruthanga Chakravarthi
    0 %|Sep 24, 1983
    Drama
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    Saatchi
    30 %|Sep 16, 1983
    Drama
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    Sandhippu
    0 %|Jun 16, 1983
    Drama
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    Dowry Kalyanam
    0 %|May 31, 1983
    Comedy, Family, Drama
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    Thai Veedu
    40 %|Apr 14, 1983
    Drama
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    Thai Mookambhikai
    0 %|Jun 26, 1982
    Drama
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    Sangili
    0 %|Apr 13, 1982
    Drama
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    Thooral Ninnu Pochu
    0 %|Apr 12, 1982
    Drama, Comedy
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    Parvaiyin Marupakkam
    40 %|Feb 19, 1982
    Action, Drama
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    Oorukku Oru Pillai
    0 %|Feb 4, 1982
    Drama
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    Thadavara
    0 %|Aug 14, 1981
    Action, Drama
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    Garjanai
    0 %|Aug 6, 1981
    Romance
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    Lorry Driver Rajakannu
    0 %|Jul 3, 1981
    Drama
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    Ram Lakshman
    70 %|Feb 28, 1981
    Drama
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    Kolilakkam
    0 %|Feb 13, 1981
    Drama, Crime
    poster
    Deiva Thirumanangal
    0 %|Jan 1, 1981
    Drama
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    Saranam Ayyappa
    0 %|Nov 28, 1980
    Drama
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    Sakthi
    0 %|Aug 22, 1980
    Thriller, Horror
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    Guru
    60 %|Jul 18, 1980
    Action, Crime, Drama
    actor
    Ratha Paasam
    0 %|Jun 14, 1980
    Drama
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    Vetrikku Oruvan
    0 %|Dec 8, 1979
    Drama
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    Aavesham
    0 %|Nov 19, 1979
    Action
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    Thirisoolam
    70 %|Jan 23, 1979
    Drama
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    Neeya?
    60 %|Jan 13, 1979
    Thriller, Horror
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    En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
    40 %|Dec 9, 1978
    Drama
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    Punniya Boomi
    0 %|May 15, 1978
    Drama
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    Meenava Nanban
    0 %|Aug 14, 1977
    Drama
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    Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga
    65 %|May 5, 1977
    Drama
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    Navarathinam
    0 %|Mar 5, 1977
    Drama, Action
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    Sathyam
    0 %|May 6, 1976
    Drama
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    Naalai Namadhe
    0 %|Jul 4, 1975
    Drama
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    Ninaithadhai Mudippavan
    40 %|May 9, 1975
    Drama, Action
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    Sirithu Vazha Vendum
    60 %|Nov 29, 1974
    Drama
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    Urimai Kural
    55 %|Nov 7, 1974
    Drama, Family
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    Netru Indru Naalai
    0 %|Jul 12, 1974
    Action, Drama
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    Rajapart Rangadurai
    65 %|Dec 21, 1973
    Drama
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    Errakota Veerudu
    40 %|Dec 16, 1973
    Action, Drama, History
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    Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
    50 %|May 11, 1973
    Drama, Science Fiction
    poster
    Rajaraja Cholan
    80 %|May 1, 1973
    History
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    Idhaya Veenai
    0 %|Oct 20, 1972
    Drama
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    Raman Thediya Seethai
    0 %|Apr 12, 1972
    Drama
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    Adi Parasakthi
    0 %|Oct 17, 1971
    Drama, Fantasy
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    Savale Samali
    55 %|Jul 3, 1971
    Drama, Family
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    En Annan
    45 %|May 22, 1970
    Drama
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    Sivandha Mann
    60 %|Nov 9, 1969
    Thriller
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    Deiva Magan
    70 %|Sep 5, 1969
    Drama
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    Anjal Petti 520
    60 %|Jun 27, 1969
    Comedy
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    Kanne Pappa
    0 %|Jun 6, 1969
    Drama
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    Kaaval Dheivam
    0 %|May 1, 1969
    Drama
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    Nil Gavani Kadhali
    0 %|Jan 1, 1969
    Drama
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    Lakshmi Kalyanam
    0 %|Nov 15, 1968
    poster
    Harichandra
    0 %|Nov 2, 1968
    actor
    Enga Oor Raja
    0 %|Oct 21, 1968
    Drama
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    Thillana Mohanambal
    71 %|Jul 27, 1968
    Drama, Music, Romance
    actor
    Pudhiya Boomi
    50 %|Jun 27, 1968
    Drama
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    Kudiyirundha Koyil
    65 %|Mar 14, 1968
    Drama, Music
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    Ragasiya Police 115
    50 %|Jan 10, 1968
    Drama
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    Kaavalkaaran
    60 %|Sep 7, 1967
    Drama
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    Arasa Kattalai
    55 %|May 19, 1967
    Drama
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    Thanippiravi
    35 %|Sep 16, 1966
    Drama
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    Thaali Bhagyam
    0 %|Aug 27, 1966
    Drama
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    Mugaraasi
    0 %|Aug 18, 1966
    Drama
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    Nadodi
    80 %|Apr 13, 1966
    Drama
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    Naan Aanaiyittal
    62 %|Feb 3, 1966
    Drama
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    Aasai Mugam
    0 %|Dec 9, 1965
    Drama
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    Aayirathil Oruvan
    47 %|Jul 9, 1965
    Drama, Action, War, Adventure
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    Enga Veettu Pillai
    70 %|Jan 14, 1965
    Drama, Action, Comedy
    actor
    Thaayin Madiyil
    52 %|Dec 7, 1964
    Drama
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    Padagotti
    80 %|Nov 3, 1964
    Drama
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    Thozhilali
    0 %|Sep 25, 1964
    Drama
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    Dheiva Thaai
    0 %|Jul 18, 1964
    Drama, Family
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    En Kadamai
    60 %|Mar 12, 1964
    Drama
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    Vettaikaaran
    50 %|Jan 13, 1964
    Drama
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    Annai Illam
    50 %|Nov 14, 1963
    Drama
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    Nenjam Marappathillai
    75 %|Aug 2, 1963
    Drama, Fantasy
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    Kalai Arasi
    0 %|Apr 19, 1963
    Drama, Comedy, Science Fiction
    actor
    Kudumba Thalaivan
    0 %|Aug 15, 1962
    Drama
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    Rani Samyuktha
    0 %|Jan 14, 1962
    History, Romance
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    Then Nilavu
    65 %|Sep 30, 1961
    Romance
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    Pasamalar
    66 %|May 27, 1961
    Drama
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    Thirudadhe
    20 %|Mar 22, 1961
    Drama
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    Arasilangumari
    0 %|Dec 31, 1960
    Drama
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    Ellorum Innattu Mannar
    0 %|Jul 1, 1960
    Drama
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    Bhaaga Pirivinai
    80 %|Oct 31, 1959
    actor
    Pelli Naati Pramanalu
    0 %|Sep 4, 1959
    poster
    Kalyana Parisu
    45 %|Apr 9, 1959
    Drama
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    Thangapadumai
    0 %|Jan 10, 1959
    Drama
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    Nadodi Mannan
    60 %|Aug 22, 1958
    Drama, Action, Adventure
    actor
    Illarame Nallaram
    0 %|Aug 1, 1958
    Drama
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    Annaiyin Aanai
    0 %|Jul 4, 1958
    actor
    Uthama Puthiran
    75 %|Feb 7, 1958
    Drama, History, Action
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    Bhuloka Rambhai
    0 %|Jan 13, 1958
    Horror
    actor
    Ambikapathy
    0 %|Dec 31, 1957
    History
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    Thangamalai Ragasiyam
    70 %|Jun 29, 1957
    Drama
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    Karpukarasi
    0 %|Jun 14, 1957
    Drama
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    Rajarajan
    40 %|Apr 25, 1957
    Drama
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    Vanangaamudi
    0 %|Apr 11, 1957
    Drama
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    Makkalai Petra Magarasi
    0 %|Feb 22, 1957
    Drama
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    Amara Deepam
    0 %|Jun 20, 1956
    Drama
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    Kanavane Kan Kanda Deivam
    0 %|May 6, 1955
    Drama
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    Naam
    0 %|Mar 2, 1953
    Drama
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    The Jungle
    50 %|Aug 1, 1952
    Adventure, Drama, Science Fiction
    actor
    Andhaman Kaidhi
    0 %|Mar 13, 1952
    Drama
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    Sarvadhikari
    0 %|Sep 14, 1951
    History
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    Marmayogi
    0 %|Feb 1, 1951
    History
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    Thigambara Samiar
    0 %|Sep 29, 1950
    Thriller
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    Manthiri Kumari
    0 %|Jun 24, 1950
    Drama
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    Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
    0 %|Apr 2, 1950
    Drama
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    Mohini
    0 %|Oct 30, 1948
    Drama
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    Raja Kumari
    0 %|Apr 11, 1947
    Drama

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