M. N. Nambiar
Known for Acting · 210 credits
- Born
- 1919-03-05
- Died
- 2008-11-19
- Place of birth
- Kannur, Kerala, India
- Also known as
- M N Nambiyar · Nambiar · M.N. Nambiar · M.N.Nambiyar
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 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.
Known For
Uthama Puthiran
1958
as Naganathan
Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan
1978
as The Prince Raja Rajan
Ninaikkatha Naalillai
2001
Naan Yen Pirandhen
1972
as Rajan
Baba
2002
as Baba's Maternal Uncle
Kannamma
1972
as Gnanaprakasam
Movies (210)
Uthama Puthiran
1958
as Naganathan
Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan
1978
as The Prince Raja Rajan
Ninaikkatha Naalillai
2001
Naan Yen Pirandhen
1972
as Rajan
Baba
2002
as Baba's Maternal Uncle
Kannamma
1972
as Gnanaprakasam
Paandi Naattu Thangam
1989
as Thangapandian's father
Naan Sigappu Manithan
1985
as Senior Police Officer
Sarvadhikari
1951
as Mahavarman
Vetri
1984
Nallavan
1988
Thigambara Samiar
1950
as Chokkalingam Pillai
Periya Marudhu
1994
Thaai Mookaambikai
1982
Thanga Pappa
1993
as Adaikkalam
Urimai Kural
1974
as Doreswamy
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
1973
Dharma Devathai
1986
Poove Unakkaga
1996
as Sadhasivam
Ram Lakshman
1981
as Chandrasekar
Sakkarai Devan
1993
as Sarasu Grandfather
Savale Samali
1971
as Rajavelu
Thanga Manasukkaran
1992
as Sadha Swamy
Deiva Thirumanangal
1981
Pulan Visaranai
1990
as DGP
Paavathin Sambalam
1978
Needhiyin Nizhal
1985
as Krishna Prasad
Naan Mahaan Alla
1984
as GMK
Pasamalar
1961
as Rathnam
Iravu Pookkal
1986
Krishnan Vandhaan
1987
Nambinar Keduvadhillai
1986
Chandhrodhayam
1966
as Paranthaman
Anna Nee En Deivam
1976
Vamsa Vilakku
1984
Nadodi
1966
Enga Ooru Pattukaran
1987
as Kallampattiyan
Anbalippu
1969
as Vasudevan
Raja Rishi
1985
as Sage Vashishta
Kumbakarai Thangaiah
1991
Thooral Ninnu Pochu
1982
as Kusthi Vaathiyaar
Maanagara Kaaval
1991
as IG Jayaprakash
Naam
1953
Moovendhar
1998
Raasaiyya
1995
Thirudadhe
1961
Arasilangumari
1960
Nadodi Mannan
1958
Nil Gavani Kadhali
1969
as Gang Leader
Kaavalkaaran
1967
as Marudachalam
Varushamellam Vasantham
2002
Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala
2001
as Mumtaj's father
Rambayin Kadhal
1956
as Narada
Manthiri Kumari
1950
as Royal Priest
Thangamalai Ragasiyam
1957
Neeya?
1979
as Appu Kuttan
Naan Aanaiyittal
1966
Rajakumari
1947
Vanangaamudi
1957
Nallavan Vazhvan
1961
as Inspector Madhavan
Doctor Savithri
1955
as Krishnamoorthi
Manaivi Oru Mandhiri
1988
Aayirathil Oruvan
1965
as Pirate Captain
Naalai Namadhe
1975
Aasai Mugam
1965
Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu
1986
as Hindi Teacher and Noorjahan's Father
Kudumba Thalaivan
1962
Ambikapathy
1957
as Ottakoothar
Eetti
1985
Bhaaga Pirivinai
1959
Mohini
1948
En Kadamai
1964
Tharaasu
1984
Avasara Police 100
1990
Velundu Vinaiyillai
1987
Pudhiya Boomi
1968
Andhaman Kaidhi
1952
Marmayogi
1951
Naan Petra Selvam
1956
as Sundar
Jagathalaprathapan
1990
as John Frederick
Annai Illam
1963
Rajarajan
1957
Devaki
1951
as Gopu
Vettaikaaran
1964
Ragasiya Police 115
1968
Neengalum Herothan
1990
as M. N. Nambiar
Thaayin Madiyil
1964
Thangapadumai
1959
Sirithu Vazha Vendum
1974
Tenali Raman
1956
as Rajaguru
Velaikari
1949
as Moorthi / Yogi Hariharadas
Pellinaati Pramanalu
1958
Sarangadhara
1958
as Mahadevan
Mugaraasi
1966
Abhimanyu
1948
as Lakkanan
Yejaman
1993
as Vaanavarayan's grandfather
Rani Samyuktha
1962
as Mohammad Ghori
Sathyam
1976
Enga Ooru Sippai
1991
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
1950
En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
1978
Chitor Rani Padmini
1963
as Malik Kafur
Ratha Paasam
1980
Thai Veedu
1983
Pasamulla Pandiyare
1997
as Nesamani
Gentleman
1993
as Ramesh's Father
Sivandha Mann
1969
as Diwan
Nyayam
1984
Vaazhkai
1984
Kadhal Sadugudu
2003
as Kausalya`s Grandfather
Vinnukkum Mannukkum
2001
as Cameo
Thotta Chinungi
1995
Poonthottam
1998
Paattukku Oru Thalaivan
1989
Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran
1988
Miruthanga Chakravarthi
1983
Anbe Anbe
2003
Rajapart Rangadurai
1973
as Somasundaram
Captain Prabhakaran
1991
as Special Task Force Officer
Garjanai
1981
About 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.… With 210 credits spanning from 1947 to 2007, M. N. Nambiar has appeared in 210 films and 0 TV shows.
Fans searching for M. N. Nambiar movies, M. N. Nambiar filmography, or the latest projects starring M. N. Nambiar can stream many of these titles on Bowood.TV, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular M. N. Nambiar Movies
- Uthama Puthiran (1958) — as Naganathan
- Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan (1978) — as The Prince Raja Rajan
- Ninaikkatha Naalillai (2001)
- Naan Yen Pirandhen (1972) — as Rajan
- Baba (2002) — as Baba's Maternal Uncle
Where to Watch M. N. Nambiar Films
Most M. N. Nambiar movies and series are available to stream on Bowood.TV in full HD, completely free and without signup. Browse the complete filmography above to jump directly to any title. For more films and the latest web series featuring M. N. Nambiar, check our movies catalogue and browse page.