Veteran Tamil actor-director Manobala passed away due to liver-related problems on Wednesday, May 3, at his Chennai residence. He was 69. The actor was admitted to hospital sometime back and was back home undergoing treatment for his health issues. The news of Manobala's passing has come as a massive shock to the Tamil film fraternity and fans, who have been expressing their condolences and paying their tributes on social media. Several leading and notable Tamil cinema celebrities have been sharing their most memorable moments spent with Manobala over the course of time and are reminiscing their fond memories of the much-beloved actor.
Among the leading Tamil cinema names who have paid their tributes include 'Superstar' Rajinikanth, who shared his sorrow after hearing the news of Manobala's death. He wrote on Twitter, "I am deeply saddened by the passing away of my dear friend Manophala, a famous director and actor. My condolences to his family. May his soul rest in peace."
பிரபல இயக்குநரும், நடிகருமான, அருமை நண்பர் மனோபாலாவுடைய இறப்பு எனக்கு மிகவும் வேதனை அளிக்கிறது. அவருடைய குடும்பத்தினருக்கு என்னுடைய அனுதாபங்கள். அவரது ஆத்மா சாந்தியடையட்டும்.@manobalam
— Rajinikanth (@rajinikanth) May 3, 2023
Likewise, 'Ulaganayagan' Kamal Haasan paid his condolences to the bereaved family of Manobala and shared that the actor was a good friend, while informing fans that his biggest passion was his love for cinema. He tweeted, "The news of the passing away of a good friend who was a director, actor and producer, Manobala is a great sadness. His primary identity was that of an enthusiast of cinema. My condolences to his bereaved family, friends and fans."
இயக்குனர், நடிகர், தயாரிப்பாளர் என பன்முகம் கொண்ட இனிய நண்பர் மனோபாலா மறைந்த செய்தி பெரும் துயரத்தை அளிக்கிறது. சினிமாவின் ஆர்வலர் என்பதே அவரது முதன்மையான அடையாளமாக இருந்தது. அவரை இழந்து வாடும் குடும்பத்தாருக்கும், நண்பர்களுக்கும், அவரது ரசிகர்களுக்கும் எனது ஆறுதலைத்…
— Kamal Haasan (@ikamalhaasan) May 3, 2023
Iconic filmmaker Bharathiraja, who took in Manobala as his assistant during the beginning stages of his career, was beyond grief and shared his sorrow at how he is irreplaceable in life. He tweeted, "The death of my student Manobala is a loss that cannot be measured by me and the Tamil cinema fraternity."
என் மாணவன்
— Bharathiraja (@offBharathiraja) May 3, 2023
மனோபாலா மறைவு
எனக்கும் எங்கள்
தமிழ் திரை உலகிற்கும்
ஈடு செய்யமுடியாத
பேரிழப்பாகும் pic.twitter.com/RmbtwoBeWh
Iconic composer 'Maestro' Ilaiyaraaja paid a heartfelt emotional tribute appearing in a video saying, "I came to hear the news of the passing of my friend, director, actor Manobala, who had immense love and respect for me. His death is a big shock to me. Starting out as a journalist and then working as an assistant director to Bharathiraja, before becoming a director himself, he used to come see me at all times. He was one among the many directors, who would wait near the Kodambakkam bridge to see me in my car after noting down the time that I would leave for the studio from my home. And, after becoming a director and an actor, he would come and update me about the happenings in the cinema industry and leave me delighted."
#Ilayaraja about #ManoBala pic.twitter.com/MmGUBi3sRd
— Aathiraa Anand (@AnandAathiraa) May 3, 2023
Sharing photos from the beginning stages of their careers, celebrated actress Raadhika Sarathkumar revealed that she had inquired about Manobala's health this morning and could not contain her sadness upon hearing the news of his passing. She wrote, "I am so heartbroken, just this morning I called and enquired to where he was to go and visit him. Shocked beyond belief. Shared so much with him professionally and on a personal level we both learnt, laughed , fought , ate together and had long conversations about many things, he was a talented person, cld adapt well to all situations. Will miss him🙏".
I am so heartbroken, just this morning I called and enquired to where he was to go and visit him. Shocked beyond belief. Shared so much with him professionally and on a personal level we both learnt, laughed , fought , ate together and had long conversations about many things, he… pic.twitter.com/pFopx60D5u
— Radikaa Sarathkumar (@realradikaa) May 3, 2023
Karthi, who played one of the three leads in Ponniyin Selvan, conveyed his shock upon hearing the news of Manobala's death and recalled saying that the iconic actor would be present for everyone at all times. He tweeted, "Extremely shocked to hear this news. A man who can be everywhere and for everyone. Miss you Manobala sir. #RIP".
Extremely shocked to hear this news. A man who can be everywhere and for everyone. Miss you Manobala sir. #RIP
— Karthi (@Karthi_Offl) May 3, 2023
Ponniyin Selvan lead star Jayam Ravi too was upset and wrote on Twitter, "Shocked beyond words. RIP @manobalam sir. Deepest condolences to the entire family."
Shocked beyond words. RIP @manobalam sir. Deepest condolences to the entire family.
— Arunmozhi Varman (@actor_jayamravi) May 3, 2023
Actor-producer Vishal informed on Twitter that he had spoken to Manobala last week and was appalled at the news of his passing away. He tweeted, "Shattered to put a tweet about Manobala Sir’s death. I just spoke to him last week. Sometimes I don’t realise God’s design. May his soul RIP & May his family stay strong during these difficult times."
Shattered to put a tweet about Manobala Sir’s death. I just spoke to him last week. Sometimes I don’t realise God’s design.
— Vishal (@VishalKOfficial) May 3, 2023
May his soul RIP & May his family stay strong during these difficult times.
Filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj quote-tweeted a condolence message posted by celebrity management company The Route and wrote on his Twitter page, "Heart broken! Rest in peace uncle 🙏🏻".
Heart broken! Rest in peace uncle 🙏🏻 https://t.co/iwHDkJNv1h
— Lokesh Kanagaraj (@Dir_Lokesh) May 3, 2023
