Today is the birthday of the late director-actor Manivannan who made his mark as a revolutionary director in Tamil cinema.  Born in Sulur,in Coimbatore district, Manivannan joined as assistant to Bharathiraja and later wrote the stories, dialogues for some of his films including 'Nizhalgal' and 'Alaigal Oiyvathillai'.

Manivannan made his directorial debut with 'Gopurangal Saivathillai' starring Mohan and Suhasini in the year 1982 which was a family drama that became a hit.  His second film 'Jyothi' starring Mohan and Ambika did not fare well but was his favorite film prompting him to name his just born daughter Jyothi.  In 1984 two crime thrillers '24 Mani Neram' and 'Nooravathu Naal' released and became blockbusters cementing his place as the number one director in that genre.

A year later 'Mudinja Kalyanam' starring Sathyaraj and Sujatha released paving way for the formidable Sathyaraj-Manivannan combo which went on to deliver many a super hit the peak being 1994's 'Amaidhi Padai' which became the best for both.  Though Manivannan made his debut as actor as a villain in his mentor Bharathiraja's 'Kod Parakuthu' opposite Rajinikanth his big break in front of the camera came with this film after which there was no turning back.  For the next fifteen years it was said in jest that a film crew could go to location without a camera but not without Manivannan.

Manivannan was a staunch supporter of the Tamil Eelam and he was active in politics supporting the DMK and MDMK at various times but during his last days threw his full weight behind Seeman's Naam Thamizhar party.

Due to him playing the role of a drunkard perfectly in many movies the general perception of people was that Manivannan was also the same in real life.  But his daughter Jyothi has even revealed in a recent interview that her father was just a social drinker though he used to smoke heavily.