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.