The Tamil film industry is mourning the loss of one of its stalwarts, Manobala, who passed away on Tuesday afternoon at the age of 69. The actor-director had been undergoing treatment for liver disease. Manobala, who started his career in the film industry as an assistant director to Bharathi Raja, went on to direct around forty films over a career spanning thirty-five years. He was a prolific actor as well, appearing in over two hundred films mostly in comedic roles. Some of his notable performances include those in Chandramukhi, Anyan, Thambi, and Yareti Nee Mohini.
Upon hearing the news of his passing, actors Mammootty and Dulquer Salmaan, who had both worked with Manobala in the Malayalam film industry, expressed their heartfelt condolences. Mammootty, who considered Manobala a dear friend and colleague, said that the news of his demise was very painful. Dulquer, who had acted alongside Manobala in Jomonte Suveseshmanal, remembered him as warm and kind, constantly making them laugh and full of love. Manobala’s last film as a director was 2019’s Oththa Seruppu Size 7, in which he also starred. He was an active participant in the film industry until his health declined. The passing of Manobala is a great loss to the Tamil film industry. His contributions to the industry as a director and actor will be sorely missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends during this difficult time.
