19 Facts About Manobala

Balachandar, known by his stage name Manobala, was an Indian actor, film producer, director, comedian, and YouTuber who predominantly played supporting roles in Tamil-language films.

Manobala worked predominantly in the film industry for nearly forty years and was notable for his unique body language and dialogue delivery and was well known for his intonation.

Manobala was born as Balachandar in a Marungoor village near Thirumarugal, Nagapattinam District, but did most of his primary education in Bangalore and Thirukattupalli for grades 10 and 11.

Manobala later studied at the Government College of Fine Arts, when he started writing articles under the pen name Manobala, and learnt Bharatanatyam and the Veena.

Manobala started his career in Tamil cinema in the early 1970s and with a reference from Kamal Haasan became an assistant director on Bharathiraja's 1979 film Puthiya Vaarpugal.

Manobala made his directorial debut with Agaya Gangai but it was a box office failure.

Manobala continued to direct with such films as Oorkavalan, En Purushanthaan Enakku Mattumthaan, and Dhoorathu Pachai which were critically acclaimed by the critics and were well received by audiences.

Manobala often collaborated with some of the leading actors of his generation, including Vijayakanth, Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, and Karthik.

Manobala made his Bollywood debut as director with Mera Pati Sirf Mera Hai, and his television serial directorial debut with Panchavaranam.

Manobala had directed 24 films in his career, but he later focused his career as an actor in the 2000s when he began working full time as an actor.

Manobala played minor roles in most of the films as he regularly shared screenspace with veteran comedians Vadivelu and Vivek.

Manobala was known for his comic roles in films including Ice, Nanban, Chandramukhi, Pithamagan, Thamizh Padam, Kavalai Vendam, Kalakalappu, Siruthai, Alex Pandian, Aranmanai, Aambala, and Yaaradi Nee Mohini.

Manobala made his debut as film producer with H Vinoth's directorial venture Sathuranga Vettai, for which he received the Best Debut Film Producer award at the South Indian International Movie Awards.

Manobala launched a YouTube channel named "Waste Paper", where he interviewed several directors and actors.

Manobala received the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Global Achievers Council.

Manobala featured as one of the contestants in the reality television show Cooku with Comali in 2022.

Manobala was married to Usha Mahadevan, and they have a son.

Manobala died at his residence in Chennai on 3 May 2023, reportedly due to liver issues, at age 69.

Manobala was a heavy smoker of cigarettes and was addicted to smoking during the peak of his career as a film director.