M. N. Nambiar
Known for Acting · 204 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 (204)
Neengalum Herothan
1990
as M. N. Nambiar
Rajaraja Cholan
1973
as Bala Thevar
Poove Unakkaga
1996
as Sadhasivam
Ninaikkatha Naalillai
2001
Thaai Mookaambikai
1982
Baba
2002
as Baba's Maternal Uncle
Sivandha Mann
1969
as Diwan
Dharma Devathai
1986
Vinnukkum Mannukkum
2001
as Cameo
Thaai Naadu
1989
as Saleem Bhai
Ulagam Sutrum Valiban
1973
En Annan
1970
as Nayagam
Raasaiyya
1995
Nallavan
1988
Paandi Naattu Thangam
1989
as Thangapandian's father
Velundu Vinaiyillai
1987
Raja Rishi
1985
as Sage Vashishta
Naan Mahaan Alla
1984
as GMK
Thangamalai Ragasiyam
1957
Villu Pattukaran
1992
Garjanai
1981
Sonnal Thaan Kaadhala
2001
as Mumtaj's father
Rajapart Rangadurai
1973
as Somasundaram
Karuppu Nila
1995
as Nandhini's father
Thooral Ninnu Pochu
1982
as Kusthi Vaathiyaar
Naan Sigappu Manithan
1985
as Senior Police Officer
Deiva Thirumanangal
1981
Ezhai Jaathi
1993
as Iyer
Pulan Visaranai
1990
as DGP
Periya Marudhu
1994
Winner
2003
as Velayutham
Sakkarai Devan
1993
as Sarasu Grandfather
Savale Samali
1971
as Rajavelu
Yejaman
1993
as Vaanavarayan's grandfather
Gentleman
1993
as Ramesh's Father
Uthama Puthiran
1958
as Naganathan
Thanga Manasukkaran
1992
as Sadha Swamy
Rajarajan
1957
Varushamellam Vasantham
2002
Neeya?
1979
as Appu Kuttan
Manaivi Oru Mandhiri
1988
Pasamalar
1961
as Rathnam
Simma Soppanam
1984
Needhiyin Nizhal
1985
as Krishna Prasad
Madhuraiyai Meetta Sundharapandiyan
1978
as The Prince Raja Rajan
Paattukku Oru Thalaivan
1989
Endrendrum Kadhal
1999
as Sethupathi, Vijay's father
Avasara Police 100
1990
Maanagara Kaaval
1991
as IG Jayaprakash
Kadhal Sadugudu
2003
as Kausalya`s Grandfather
Vallal
1997
as Dharmarasu
Mella Thirandhadhu Kadhavu
1986
as Hindi Teacher and Noorjahan's Father
Enga Veettu Pillai
1965
as Gajendran
Aayirathil Oruvan
1965
as Pirate Captain
Krishnan Vandhaan
1987
Nadodi
1966
Marudhanaattu Ilavarasi
1950
Kuttrapathirikai
2007
Urimai Kural
1974
as Doreswamy
Eetti
1985
Dowry Kalyanam
1983
as Rowther
Manthiri Kumari
1950
as Royal Priest
Naalai Namadhe
1975
Arasilangumari
1960
Nambinar Keduvadhillai
1986
Kudumba Thalaivan
1962
En Kadamai
1964
Kumbakarai Thangaiah
1991
Saranam Ayyappa
1980
Kaaval Dheivam
1969
Thotta Chinungi
1995
Adimai Changili
1997
Sandhippu
1983
as Vedagiri
Enga Ooru Pattukaran
1987
as Kallampattiyan
Vamsa Vilakku
1984
Thai Veedu
1983
Moovendhar
1998
Tharaasu
1984
Annai Illam
1963
Nadodi Mannan
1958
Sethupathi I.P.S
1994
as Ramarathnam
Thillana Mohanambal
1968
as Maharaja of Madhanpur
Thangapadumai
1959
Kaaviya Thalaivan
1992
as Damodaran
Kaaval Nilayam
1991
as Andhavar
Andhaman Kaidhi
1952
Illarame Nallaram
1958
Sharjah to Sharjah
2001
as Valiya Kappithan
Navarathinam
1977
as Dharmaseelan
Kaavalkaaran
1967
as Marudachalam
Meenatchi Thiruvilaiyadal
1989
as Thirumalai Naicker
Rani Samyuktha
1962
as Mohammad Ghori
Thadavara
1981
as Madhavan
Adi Parasakthi
1971
Sakthi
1980
as Vikraman
Kattumarakaran
1995
as Vaidehi's grandfather
Vetri
1984
Poo Parikka Varugirom
1999
as Narayanan
Uzhavan Magan
1987
Sudesi
2006
Thanga Pappa
1993
as Adaikkalam
Jagathalaprathapan
1990
as John Frederick
Thigambara Samiar
1950
as Chokkalingam Pillai
Ninaithadhai Mudippavan
1975
as Mohan
Paasamalargal
1994
Guru
1980
as Head of anti-social group
Aasai Mugam
1965
Miruthanga Chakravarthi
1983
Vetrikku Oruvan
1979
Marmayogi
1951
Netru Indru Naalai
1974
as Rathnam (the false)
Harichandra
1968
Mohini
1948
Annaiyin Aanai
1958
Sarvadhikari
1951
as Mahavarman
Pasamulla Pandiyare
1997
as Nesamani
Anbe Anbe
2003
Errakota Veerudu
1973
Nenjam Marappathillai
1963
as Zamindar
The Jungle
1952
as Mahaji
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 204 credits spanning from 1947 to 2007, M. N. Nambiar has appeared in 204 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 CineFlixo, free and in HD, with no subscription required.
Most Popular M. N. Nambiar Movies
- Neengalum Herothan (1990) — as M. N. Nambiar
- Rajaraja Cholan (1973) — as Bala Thevar
- Poove Unakkaga (1996) — as Sadhasivam
- Ninaikkatha Naalillai (2001)
- Thaai Mookaambikai (1982)
Where to Watch M. N. Nambiar Films
Most M. N. Nambiar movies and series are available to stream on CineFlixo 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.