
M. N. Nambiar
Known for Acting · 203 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
Movies (203)
Vallal
1997
as Dharmarasu

Kadhal Sadugudu
2003
as Kausalya`s Grandfather

Gentleman
1993
as Ramesh's Father

Avasara Police 100
1990

Vinnukkum Mannukkum
2001
as Cameo

Endrendrum Kadhal
1999
as Sethupathi, Vijay's father

Poove Unakkaga
1996
as Sadhasivam

Baba
2002
as Baba's Maternal Uncle

Sethupathi I.P.S
1994
as Ramarathnam

Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran
1988

Karuppu Nila
1995
as Nandhini's father
Thadavara
1981
as Madhavan

Thillana Mohanambal
1968
as Maharaja of Madhanpur

Pasamulla Pandiyare
1997
as Nesamani
Nallavan
1988

Thotta Chinungi
1995

Enga Ooru Pattukaran
1987
as Kallampattiyan
Thooral Ninnu Pochu
1982
as Vathiyaar

Kuttrapathirikai
2007
Ninaikkatha Naalillai
2001
Kattumarakaran
1995
as Vaidehi's grandfather

Sakthi
1980
as Vikraman

Saranam Ayyappa
1980

Deiva Thirumanangal
1981

Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala
2001
as Mumtaj's father
Paandi Naattu Thangam
1989
as Thangapandian's father

Enga Veettu Pillai
1965
as Gajendran

Kumbakarai Thangaiah
1991

Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan
1978
as The Prince Raja Rajan
Ezhai Jaathi
1993
as Iyer

Sivandha Mann
1969
as Diwan, the main antagonist

Ram Lakshman
1981
as Chandrasekar
Kaaval Nilayam
1991
as Andhavar
Kaaviya Thalaivan
1992
as Damodaran

Thaai Naadu
1989
as Saleem Bhai

Anbe Anbe
2003

Winner
2003
as Velayutham

Sakkarai Devan
1993
as Sarasu Grandfather

Naan Mahaan Alla
1984
as GMK

Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
1973

Lakshmi Kalyanam
1968

Sathyam
1976

Varushamellam Vasantham
2002

Jagathalaprathapan
1990
as John Frederick

Sudesi
2006

Thai Veedu
1983

Sandhippu
1983
as Vedagiri

Periya Marudhu
1994
Dharma Devathai
1986
Puthiya Theerppu
1985

Aayirathil Oruvan
1965
as Pirate Captain

Nermai
1985
as Seetharam

Ninaithadhai Mudippavan
1975
as Mohan

Maanagara Kaaval
1991
as IG Jayaprakash

Neeya?
1979
as Appu Kuttan

Deiva Magan
1969
as Ananth

Villu Pattukaran
1992

Thambi Thanga Kambi
1988

Poo Parikka Varugirom
1999
as Narayanan

En Annan
1970
as Nayagam
Sangili
1982
Meenava Nanban
1977
as Arun

Padagotti
1964
Thaai Mookaambikai
1982

Neengalum Herothan
1990
as M. N. Nambiar
Miruthanga Chakravarthi
1983

Thanga Manasukkaran
1992
as Sadha Swamy

Rojavanam
1999

Netru Indru Naalai
1974
as Rathnam (the false)
Kanne Pappa
1969
as Inspector James

Nadodi Mannan
1958
Thanga Pappa
1993
as Adaikkalam

Bhooloka Rambai
1958
Nadodi Paattukkaran
1992
Garjanai
1981

Anjal Petti 520
1969
as Nagarajan

Adi Parasakthi
1971

Yejaman
1993
as Vaanavarayan's grandfather
Navarathinam
1977
as Dharmaseelan

Kaavalkaaran
1967
as Marudachalam

Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu
1986
as Hindi Teacher and Noorjahan's Father

The Jungle
1952
as Mahaji

Kalyana Parisu
1959

Rajaraja Cholan
1973
as Bala Thevar
Sarithira Nayagan
1984

Ratha Paasam
1980
Pelli Naati Pramanalu
1959

Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran
1988
Manaivi Oru Mandhiri
1988

Raja Rishi
1985
as Sage Vashishta

Pulan Visaranai
1990
as DGP

Puthiya Theerpu
1985
Thanippiravi
1966
as Sub-inspector Soundharam

Velundu Vinaiyillai
1987

Captain Prabhakaran
1991
as Special Task Force Officer

Ezhuthatha Sattangal
1984
as Farooq

Sirithu Vazha Vendum
1974
Uthama Puthiran
1958
as Naganathan
Naalai Namadhe
1975

Thozhilali
1964
as Velu

Guru
1980
as Head of anti-social group
Kudumba Thalaivan
1962
Naan Petra Selvam
1956
as Sundar

Harichandra
1968

Vetri
1984

Paasamalargal
1994

Periya Veettu Panakkaran
1990

Thigambara Samiar
1950
as Chokkalingam Pillai

Urimai Kural
1974
as Doreswamy

Savale Samali
1971
as Rajavelu

Dowry Kalyanam
1983
as Rowther

Kalai Arasi
1963

En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
1978

Thangamalai Ragasiyam
1957

Paattukku Oru Thalaivan
1989

Aavesham
1979
as Shekaran

Rani Samyuktha
1962
as Mohammad Ghori

Then Nilavu
1961
as Raj

Amara Deepam
1956
Annai Illam
1963
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 203 credits spanning from 1947 to 2007, M. N. Nambiar has appeared in 203 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
- Vallal (1997) — as Dharmarasu
- Kadhal Sadugudu (2003) — as Kausalya`s Grandfather
- Gentleman (1993) — as Ramesh's Father
- Avasara Police 100 (1990)
- Vinnukkum Mannukkum (2001) — as Cameo
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.