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.
Acted in 135
2000s
- 2007
Kuttrapathirikai
Movie
- 2006
Sudesi
Movie
- 2003
Winner
Velayutham
Anbe Anbe
Movie
Kadhal Sadugudu
Kausalya`s Grandfather
- 2002
Varushamellam Vasantham
Movie
- 2001
Sharjah to Sharjah
Valiya Kappithan
Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala
Mumtaj's father
1990s
- 1999
Poo Parikka Varugirom
Narayanan
Rojavanam
Movie
Endrendrum Kadhal
Sethupathi
- 1997
Adimai Changili
Movie
Pasamulla Pandiyare
Nesamani
Vallal
Dharmarasu
- 1996
Poove Unakkaga
Sadhasivam
- 1995
Thotta Chinungi
Movie
Karuppu Nila
Nandhini's father
- 1994
Periya Marudhu
Movie
Thai Maaman
Arivudai Nambi, CMO Of TN
Paasamalargal
Movie
Sethupathi I.P.S
Ramarathnam
- 1993
Gentleman
Ramesh's Father
Sakkarai Devan
Sarasu Grandfather
Yejaman
Vaanavarayan's grandfather
- 1992
Villu Pattukaran
Movie
Thanga Manasukkaran
Sadha Swamy
- 1991
Maanagara Kaaval
IG Jayaprakash
Captain Prabhakaran
Special Task Force Officer
- 1990
Avasara Police 100
Movie
Periya Veettu Panakkaran
Movie
Neengalum Herothan
M. N. Nambiar
Jagathalaprathapan
John Frederick
Pulan Visaranai
DGP
1980s
- 1989
Paattukku Oru Thalaivan
Movie
Thaai Naadu
Saleem Bhai
- 1988
Enga Ooru Kaavakkaaran
Movie
Thambi Thanga Kambi
Movie
Poonthotta Kaavalkaaran
Movie
- 1987
Anjatha Singam
Max
Uzhavan Magan
Marudhamalai
Jallikkattu
Dheenadalayan
Krishnan Vandhaan
Movie
Enga Ooru Pattukaran
Kallampattiyan
Velundu Vinaiyillai
Movie
Vilangu
International smuggler
- 1986
Iravu Pookkal
Movie
Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu
Hindi Teacher and Noorjahan's Father
Nambinar Keduvadhillai
Movie
Karimedu Karuvayan
Movie
- 1985
Raja Rishi
Sage Vashishta
Eetti
Movie
Nermai
Seetharam
Needhiyin Nizhal
Krishna Prasad
Naan Sigappu Manithan
Senior Police Officer
- 1984
Iru Medhaigal
Movie
Ezhuthatha Sattangal
Farooq
Vaazhkai
Movie
Tharaasu
Movie
Vetri
Movie
Naan Mahaan Alla
GMK
- 1983
Sandhippu
Vedagiri
Dowry Kalyanam
Rowther
Thai Veedu
Movie
- 1981
Ram Lakshman
Chandrasekar
Kolilakkam
Movie
Deiva Thirumanangal
Movie
- 1980
Saranam Ayyappa
Movie
Sakthi
Vikraman
Guru
Head of anti-social group
Ratha Paasam
Movie
1970s
- 1979
Aavesham
Shekaran
Thirisoolam
Movie
Neeya?
Appu Kuttan
- 1978
En Kelvikku Enna Bathil
Movie
Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan
The Prince Raja Rajan
- 1977
Indru Pol Endrum Vaazhga
Guruviah
Indru Pol Endrum Vazhga
Movie
- 1976
Sathyam
Movie
Anna Nee En Deivam
Movie
- 1975
Ninaithadhai Mudippavan
Mohan
- 1974
Sirithu Vazha Vendum
Nakanraj
Urimai Kural
Doreswamy
Netru Indru Naalai
Rathnam
- 1973
Rajapart Rangadurai
Somasundaram
Errakota Veerudu
Movie
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
Movie
Rajaraja Cholan
Bala Thevar
- 1972
Kurathi Magan
Jambilingam
- 1971
Adi Parasakthi
Movie
Savale Samali
Rajavelu
Kulama Gunama
Nallakannu
- 1970
En Annan
Nayagam
1960s
- 1969
Sivandha Mann
Diwan
Deiva Magan
Ananth
Anjal Petti 520
Nagarajan
Kaaval Dheivam
Movie
Nil Gavani Kadhali
Gang Leader
- 1968
Lakshmi Kalyanam
Movie
Thillana Mohanambal
Maharaja of Madhanpur
Kudiyirundha Koyil
Movie
- 1967
Kaavalkaaran
Marudachalam
- 1965
Aayirathil Oruvan
Pirate Captain
Enga Veettu Pillai
Gajendran
- 1964
Padagotti
Movie
Thozhilali
Velu
- 1963
Nenjam Marappathillai
Zamindar
Kalai Arasi
Movie
- 1962
Rani Samyuktha
Mohammad Ghori
- 1961
Then Nilavu
Raj
Nallavan Vazhvan
Inspector Madhavan
Pasamalar
Rathnam
1950s
- 1959
Kalyana Parisu
Movie
- 1958
Pellinaati Pramanalu
Movie
Nadodi Mannan
Movie
Annaiyin Aanai
Movie
Bhooloka Rambai
Movie
- 1957
Thangamalai Ragasiyam
Movie
- 1956
Rambayin Kadhal
Narada
Amara Deepam
Movie
Tenali Raman
Rajaguru
Naan Petra Selvam
Sundar
- 1955
Kaveri
Gnananandar
- 1952
The Jungle
Mahaji
- 1951
Sarvadhikari
Mahavarman
Marmayogi
Movie
- 1950
Thigambara Samiar
Chokkalingam Pillai
1940s
- 1949
Velaikari
Moorthi / Yogi Hariharadas
- 1948
Abhimanyu
Lakkanan
- 1947
No release date
Alaigal
Acha · 1 episode