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2026-03-27T01:50:25Z

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{{short description|Indian actor}}
{{Use Indian English|date=December 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| name = M. N. Nambiar
| image = M. N. Nambiar.jpg
| birth_name = Mannjheri Narayanan Nambiar
| birth_date = 7 March 1919
| birth_place = [[Cannanore]], [[Kerala]], India
| death_date = {{death date and age|df=yes|2008|11|19|1919|3|7}}
| death_place = [[Chennai]], [[Tamil Nadu]], India
| occupation = Actor
| yearsactive = 1935—2008
| spouse = Rukmani (m. 1946)
| children = 3
}}
{{More citations needed|date=March 2026}}
'''Mannjheri Narayanan Nambiar''' (7 March 1919 – 19 November 2008) was an Indian actor who predominantly worked in [[Tamil cinema]],<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kumar |first=Sonika |date=2024-11-19 |title=MN Nambiar, Tamil cinema's most convincing villain wielded swords with MGR, worshipped Ayyappa |url=https://theprint.in/theprint-profile/mn-nambiar-tamil-cinemas-most-convincing-villain-wielded-swords-with-mgr-worshipped-ayyappa/2363022/ |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=ThePrint |language=en-US}}</ref> renowned for his portrayals of villainous characters. With a career spanning over eight decades, he became a notable figure in the industry.<ref name=":0" /> Nambiar also appeared in a few [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam]], Telugu, Hindi and English films during his career.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Narayanan |first=Sujatha |date=2019-03-06 |title=100 Years Of MN Nambiar: Tamil Cinema's Own Supervillain |url=https://www.filmcompanion.in/story/features/100-years-of-mn-nambiar-tamil-cinemas-own-supervillain |access-date=2024-12-23 |website=www.filmcompanion.in |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Krishnamachari |first=Suganthy |date=2019-11-28 |title=Nambiar, a villain with a divine personality |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/nambiar-a-villain-with-a-divine-personality/article30105902.ece |access-date=2024-12-23 |work=The Hindu |language=en-IN |issn=0971-751X}}</ref>

He appeared in many [[M. G. Ramachandran|MGR]] movies as a villain. Some of the famous ones include ''[[Enga Veettu Pillai]], [[Aayirathil Oruvan (1965 film)|Aayirathil Oruvan]], [[Nadodi Mannan]], [[Naalai Namadhe (1975 film)|Naalai Namadhe]], [[Padagotti]], [[Thirudathe]], [[En Annan]], [[Kaavalkaaran]]'' and ''[[Kudiyirundha Koyil]]''.

==Early life==
Manjeri Narayan Nambiar<ref>{{Cite web|title=rediff.com: An Ode to M N Nambiar|url=http://specials.rediff.com/movies/2008/nov/20slid1.htm|access-date=2021-09-19|website=specials.rediff.com}}</ref> was born on 7 March 1919 at Kandakkai near Mayyil in [[Cannanore]] (Kannur) in [[North Malabar]] region of [[Kerala]]. He was the son of Kelu Nambiar and Kalyani Amma.<ref name=":1" /> While he was still a child, his father died. He later moved to live and study in [[Ooty]] with his elder sister and brother-in-law.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Reel-villain-real-hero/article15689125.ece | title=Reel villain, real hero | work=The Hindu | date=16 November 2010 | access-date=20 February 2012 | author=Mohan V. Raman | location=Chennai, India | archive-date=27 February 2018 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227093205/http://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/Reel-villain-real-hero/article15689125.ece | url-status=live }}</ref> He became interested in acting when he was 13 and he joined Nawab Rajamanikkam's troupe. He learnt discipline here which is according to him the major life skill at Madurai Bala nada vinodha kana sabha. From then on acting became the only thing that occupied him. His first film was ''Bhaktha Ramadoss'', shot in 1935 in Hindi and Tamil, where he played as a comedian along with T.K.Sampangi.

==Film career==
Though he started as a hero, Nambiar soon started donning the role of a villain — so much so that today his name is synonymous with villainy in Kollywood. Nambiar 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. A man of very limited needs, he has never eaten food not cooked by his wife, Rugmini Nambiar.

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]]'', ''[[Aayirathil Oruvan (1965 film)|Ayirathil Oruvan]]'', ''[[Thillana Mohanambal]]'', ''[[Missiamma|Missiyamma]]'' and ''[[Nenjam Marappathillai (1963 film)|Nenjam Marappadillai]]'' paved way for a very successful career that spanned over five decades.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |url=http://www.thehindu.com/2000/09/29/stories/09290226.htm |title=Archived copy |access-date=3 December 2016 |archive-date=11 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011163536/https://www.thehindu.com/archive/print/2000/09/29/ |work=[[The Hindu]] |date=2000-09-29 |url-status=live }}</ref>

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 '[[Kaadu (1952 film)|The Jungle]]' (with [[Rod Cameron (actor)|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.'

His most notable films are ''[[Aayirathil Oruvan (1965 film)|Aayirathil Oruvan]]'' with [[M. G. Ramachandran|MGR]], ''[[Ambikapathy (1957 film)|Ambikapathy]]'' with [[Sivaji Ganesan]], ''[[Missiamma]]'' with [[Gemini Ganesan]], '[[Nenjam Marappathillai (1963 film)|Nenjam Marappathillai]]' directed by Sridhar and ''[[Thooral Ninnu Pochchu]]'' with [[K. Bhagyaraj|Bhagyaraj]]. This was the film that made him do character roles, something that he continued to do till his death. He also acted as hero in two films 'Kalyani' and 'Kavitha' produced by Modern Theaters. He has done stage, films and also acted on TV dramas like 'Oviyam' and Velan. When it comes to acting, he supposedly likes all the actors; but of special mention are [[M. R. Radha]] and [[Savitri (actress)|Savitri]]. Both, in his opinion, were brilliant in their own way.

== Personal life ==
Friends and associates of M.N.Nambiar described him as kind, witty, and disciplined. He was a vegetarian, [[Teetotalism|teetotaler]], and fitness enthusiast. He was also an ardent devotee of Sabarimala Sri [[Ayyappan]]. He has had a long association with [[Sabarimala Temple]], where he made trips to for almost 60 years and brought many colleagues; this has led to him being called Maha Guruswamy.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/20/stories/2008112055451300.htm | location=Chennai, India | title=A handsome villain | date=20 November 2008 | access-date=4 August 2010 | archive-date=7 November 2012 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121107082833/http://www.hindu.com/2008/11/20/stories/2008112055451300.htm | work=[[The Hindu]] | url-status=dead }}</ref> His colleagues noted that he died during the famous Sabarimala season and it may be due to the blessing of his Lord.

==Partial filmography==
===Tamil films===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Film
!Role
!Notes
|-
| 1935
| ''Bhaktha Ramadas''
|
|
|-
|1946
|''[[Vidyapathi (1946 film)|Vidyapathi]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1947
|''[[Rajakumaari]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Kanjan]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2"| 1948
| ''[[Abhimanyu (1948 film)|Abhimanyu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Mohini (1948 film)|Mohini]]''
|
|
|-
| 1949
| ''[[Velaikaari]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1950
| ''[[Manthiri Kumari]]''
|Rajaguru
|
|-
|''[[Digambara Samiyar]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1951
| ''[[Marmayogi (1951 film)|Marmayogi]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Sarvadhikari (film)|Sarvadhikari]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|1952||''[[Kanchana (1952 film)|Kanchana]]'' || Manohar
|
|-
|''[[Kalyani (1952 film)|Kalyani]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1953
| ''[[Kanna Talli|Petra Thai]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Devadasu (1953 film)|Devadas]]''
| Bhagavan
|
|-
|''[[Azhagi (1953 film)|Azhagi]]''
|
|
|-
| 1954
| ''[[Mangalyam (1954 film)|Mangalyam]]''
|Gopi
|
|-
| rowspan="4" | 1955
| ''[[Guna Sundari]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Doctor Savithri]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Pennarasi]]''
|Minister
|
|-
|''[[Kaveri (1955 film)|Kaveri]]''
|
|
|-
|1956
|''[[Tenali Raman]]''
| Kannan
|
|-
| rowspan="8" |1957
| ''[[Amara Deepam (1956 film)|Amara Deepam]]''
|Sukumar
|
|-
|''[[Makkalai Petra Magarasi]]''
|Kannan
|
|-
|''[[Iru Sagodharigal]]''
| Vasudevan
|
|-
|''[[Raja Rajan (film)|Rajarajan]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Mayabazar]]''
|[[Shakuni]]
|
|-
|''[[Thangamalai Ragasiyam]]''
| King Adithan
|
|-
|''[[Ambikapathy (1957 film)|Ambikapathy]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Pathini Deivam]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1958
| ''[[Uthama Puthiran (1958 film)|Uthama Puthiran]]''
|Naganathan
|
|-
|''[[Nadodi Mannan]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Illarame Nallaram]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1959
|''[[Bhaaga Pirivinai]]''
| Mani
|
|-
| ''[[Thanga Padhumai]]''
| Baladevar
|
|-
| ''[[Kalyana Parisu]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1960
| ''[[Raja Bakthi]]''
| General
|
|-
| ''[[Veerakkanal]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="6" | 1961
|''[[Thirudathe]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Arasilangkumari]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Pasamalar]]''
|Rathnam
|
|-
|''[[Naaga Nandhini]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Then Nilavu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Nallavan Vazhvan]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1962
| ''[[Raani Samyuktha]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Nichaya Thamboolam]]''
| Pattusamy
|
|-
| rowspan="5" | 1963
| ''[[Panathottam]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Nenjam Marappathillai (1963 film)|Nenjam Marappathillai]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Needhikkuppin Paasam]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Parisu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Annai Illam]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" | 1964
| ''[[Thaayin Madiyil]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[En Kadamai]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Vettaikkaran (1964 film)|Vettaikkaran]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Padagotti]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Thozhilali]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" | 1965
| ''[[Aasai Mugam]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Enga Veetu Pillai]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Kalangarai Vilakkam]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Thazhampoo]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Aayirathil Oruvan (1965 film)|Aayirathil Oruvan]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |1966
|''[[Thali Bhagyam]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Nadodi]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Naan Aanaiyittal|Naan Aanaiyital]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Petralthan Pillaiya]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Parakkum Pavai]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Muharasi]]''
| Duraisamy
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1967
|''[[Kaavalkaaran]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Vivasayee]]''
| Pannaiyar Velupandiyan
|
|-
| rowspan="8" |1968
| ''[[Harichandra (1968 film)|Harichandra]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Thirumal Perumai]]''||
|
|-
| ''[[Lakshmi Kalyanam (1968 film)|Lakshmi Kalyanam]]''
| Suruttu Sundaram Pillai
|
|-
| ''[[Ragasiya Police 115]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Kudiyirundha Koyil]]''
|Bhoopathy
|
|-
|''[[Pudhiya Bhoomi]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Enga Oor Raja]]''
|Rajangam
|
|-
|''[[Thillana Mohanambal]]''
|Maharaja of Madhanpur
|
|-
| rowspan="7" |1969
| ''Subha Dinam''
| Narayana Iyer
|
|-
| ''[[Anbalippu]]''
| Vasudevan
|
|-
| ''[[Kaaval Dheivam]]''
| Ananth
|
|-
| ''[[Gurudhatchanai]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Anjal Petti 520]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Deiva Magan]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Sivandha Mann]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |1970
|''[[En Annan]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Thalaivan (1970 film)|Thalaivan]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Raman Ethanai Ramanadi]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Paadhukaappu]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" |1971
| ''[[Thangaikkaaga]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Kulama Gunama]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Oru Thaai Makkal]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Praptham]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Savaale Samali]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="6" |1972
| ''[[Kurathi Magan]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Naan Yen Pirandhen]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Dharmam Engey]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Idhaya Veenai]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Raman Thediya Seethai (1972 film)|Raman Thediya Seethai]]''
|
|
|-
| ''Kannamma''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" |1973
|''[[Rajaraja Cholan]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Ponnunjal (film)|Ponnunjal]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Pattikaattu Ponnaiya]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Ulagam Sutrum Valiban]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Rajapart Rangadurai]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |1974
| ''[[Thaai]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Urimaikural]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Netru Indru Naalai (1974 film)|Netru Indru Naalai]]''
| Rathnam
|
|-
|''[[Sirithu Vazha Vendum]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1975
|''[[Mannavan Vanthaanadi]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Pallandu Vazhga]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Ninaithadhai Mudippavan]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1976
| ''[[Satyam (1976 film)|Satyam]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Needhikku Thalaivanangu]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1977
| ''[[Meenava Nanban]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |1978
| ''[[Punniya Boomi]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Vayasu Ponnu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Varuvan Vadivelan]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Mudi Sooda Mannan]]''
|Rajaguru
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1979
|''Nadagame Ulagam''
|
|
|-
|''[[Thirisoolam]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1980
|''[[Ratha Paasam (1980 film)|Ratha Paasam]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Guru (1980 film)|Guru]]''
|
|
|-
| 1981
| ''[[Garjanai (1981 film)|Garjanai]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1982
|''[[Thooral Ninnu Pochu]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Parvaiyin Marupakkam]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="4" | 1983
| ''[[Thai Veedu]]''
| Rajasingam
|
|-
|''[[Dowry Kalyanam]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Sandhippu]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Saatchi (film)|Saatchi]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="4" |1984
|''[[Naan Mahaan Alla (1984 film)|Naan Mahaan Alla]]''
| G.M.K
|
|-
|''[[Vetri (film)|Vetri]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Vaazhkai (1984 film)|Vaazhkai]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Simma Soppanam]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" | 1985
|''[[Needhiyin Nizhal]]''
| Krishna Prasad
|
|-
| ''[[Thanga Mama 3D]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Eetti (1985 film)|Eetti]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Raja Rishi]]''
|Sage Vashista
|
|-
| ''[[Puthiya Theerpu]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1986
|''[[Karimedu Karuvayan]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Nambinar Keduvathillai]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Mella Thirandhathu Kadhavu]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" | 1987
| ''[[Vilangu]]''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Velundu Vinaiyillai]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Jallikattu (1987 film)|Jallikattu]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Uzhavan Magan]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Anjatha Singam]]''
|Max
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1988
| ''Thappu Kanakku''
|
|
|-
| ''[[Thambi Thanga Kambi]]''
| Thyagu
|
|-
| ''[[Nallavan (1988 film)|Nallavan]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1989
| ''[[Paattukku Oru Thalaivan]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Meenakshi Thiruvilayadal]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="5" | 1990
|''[[Pulan Visaranai]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Paattali Magan]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Paalam (1990 film)|Paalam]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Jagathalaprathapan (1990 film)|Jagathalaprathapan]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Avasara Police 100]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="4" | 1991
|''[[Sami Potta Mudichu]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Enga Ooru Sippai]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Captain Prabhakaran]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Maanagara Kaaval]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="4" | 1992
|''[[Chembaruthi]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Thai Mozhi]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Annai Vayal]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Kaviya Thalaivan (1992 film)|Kaviya Thalaivan]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="6" | 1993
|''[[Yejaman]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Ezhai Jaathi]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Sakkarai Devan]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Gentleman (1993 film)|Gentleman]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Nallathe Nadakkum]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Thanga Pappa]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1994
|''[[Sethupathi IPS]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Paasamalargal]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Periya Marudhu (film)|Periya Marudhu]]''
|
|
|-
| 1995
|''[[Karuppu Nila]]''
|
|
|-
| 1996
|''[[Poove Unakkaga (film)|Poove Unakkaga]]''
|
|
|-
| 1997
|''[[Vallal]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 1998
|''[[Moovendhar]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Poonthottam]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="3" |1999
|''[[Endrendrum Kadhal]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Rojavanam]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Pooparika Varugirom]]''
|
|
|-
|2001
|''[[Vinnukkum Mannukkum]]''
|
|
|-
| rowspan="2" | 2002
|''[[Varushamellam Vasantham]]''
|
|
|-
|''[[Baba (2002 film)|Baba]]''
|Baba's maternal uncle
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 2003
|-
| ''[[Anbe Anbe]]''|| Mahendra Bhoopathy
|
|-
|''[[Winner (2003 film)|Winner]]''
|Velayutham
|
|-
| 2004
|''[[Arasatchi]]''
|
|
|-
| 2005
|''[[Anbe Aaruyire (2005 film)|Anbe Aaruyire]]''
|
|
|-
| 2006
|''[[Sudesi]]''
|
|
|}

=== Malayalam films ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Film
!Role
!Notes
|-
|1973
|''[[Jesus (1973 film)|Jesus]]''
|[[Judas]]
|
|-
| 1978
| ''[[Thacholi Ambu]]''
|Ittiri
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1979
| ''[[Aavesham (1979 film)|Avesham]]''
|Shekhar
|
|-
|''Pancharatnam''
|
|
|-
|''[[Maamaankam]]''
| Thanayanjeri Pandhya Perumal
|
|-
| rowspan="3" | 1980
| ''[[Chandra Bimbam]]''
|
|
|-
|''Arangum Aniyarayum''
|
|
|-
|''[[Sakthi (1980 film)|Shakthi]]''
|Vikraman
|
|-
| rowspan="2" |1981
|''Kolilakkam''
|
|
|-
|''[[Thadavara]]''
|Madhavan
|
|-
| 1982
| ''[[Chilanthivala]]''
|Shekhar
|
|-
| 2001
|''[[Sharja To Sharja]]''
| Valiya Kappithan
|
|}

=== Other language films ===

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Film
!Role
! Language
!Notes
|-
| 1951
| ''[[Marmayogi (1951 film)|Ek Tha Raja]]''
|
| Hindi
|
|-
| rowspan="2"|1952||''[[Kanchana (1952 film)|Kanchana]]'' || || Telugu<br />Malayalam
|
|-
|''[[Kaadu (1952 film)|Jungle]]''
|Mahaji
| English
|
|-
|1953
|''[[Kanna Talli]]''
|Shankar
| Telugu
|
|-
|1956
| ''[[Devta (1956 film)|Devta]]''
|Veersen || Hindi
|
|-
|1985
|''[[Aatmabalam]]''
|Puligolla Varahavataram
|Telugu
|
|-
|1996
|''[[Ramudochadu]]''
| Bhusayya
| Telugu
|
|}

==Television==
* [[Alaigal (TV series)|Alaigal]] as Father (Acha)
* Velan
* Oviyam
* The TV serial Avalukkendru oru idam in Doordharshan Madras is his first Television debut. The television serial produced by Lakshmi and Lakshmi Creations fetched him the Mylapore Academy Award 1991 for Best Actor in Character Role.

==Death==
Nambiar suffered from [[bacterial infection]] and died at his residence in [[Chennai]] on 19 November 2008. He was survived by his wife Rukmani, 2 sons — one, a senior [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] leader Sukumar Nambiar, and the other, Mohan Nambiar, a prominent businessman based in Coimbatore and a daughter, Sneha Nambiar who was married to actor [[Sarath Babu]]. His eldest son Sukumar Nambiar died on 8 January 2012 aged 63 and later, his wife Rukmani also died on 11 April 2012 aged 82.

==Tributes==
* [[P. Vasu]] (Director) :
"If there was anyone who could act with both the top heroes ([[Sivaji Ganesan]] and [[M. G. R.]]) of Tamil cinema then, it was Nambiar. At one point, directors could not think of anyone else but him to play villain."

* [[Srikanth (actor, born 1940)|Srikanth]] (Actor) :
"This is a very big loss...you cannot find a human being like him easily."

* [[Manorama (Tamil actress)|Manorama]] (Actress) :
"He was a villain only when the camera got rolling...otherwise, he'd always keep us laughing with his ready wit,"

* K. Raman (Make-up man) :
"In ‘Nenjam Marappadillai,’ he plays a really old man...the makeup would take hours together, but he would be extremely patient. His skin was flawless and almost pink...he took great care of his health."

* [[Mugur Sundar|Sundaram]] (Dance master) :
"Nambiar swami was responsible for taking most of us in the industry to Sabarimalai"

* [[J. Jayalalithaa]] (Former Tamil Nadu CM) :
"I have acted with him in several films. He would be very jovial and enthusiastic on the sets. When one worked with him, one forget the burden of work. He was very fond of me and I always had great regard and respect for him. His passing away is a great loss indeed."

==References==
{{reflist|2}}
* http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/7737798.stm

==External links==
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20081218035313/http://transcurrents.com/tc/2008/11/post_83.html M.N. Nambiar: Legendary "Villain" of Tamil Cinema-by D.B.S. Jeyaraj]}}
* {{IMDb name|id=0620630|name=M.N. Nambiar}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Nambiar, M.N.}}
[[Category:1919 births]]
[[Category:2008 deaths]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors from Kannur]]
[[Category:Male actors in Malayalam cinema]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:21st-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema]]
[[Category:Male actors in Telugu cinema]]
[[Category:Tamil male television actors]]
[[Category:Indian male television actors]]

M. N. Nambiar - Revision history

Juanita09O at 01:50, 27 March 2026