Kedheeswaran, better known as Bonda Mani (19 September 1963 – 23 December 2023), was an Indian actor who appeared in Tamil language films. He came to Tamil Nadu from Sri Lanka as a refugee.
He predominantly worked in comedy and supporting roles in over 270 films in his illustrious career spanning three decades. He was well known for his performances in Pongalo Pongal (1997), Sundhara Travels (2002), Winner (2003), Englishkaran (2005), Aaru (2005) and Marudhamalai (2007) and Kannum Kannum (2008). He was known for his one-line dialogues in films in which he acted.
Early life and career Kedheeswaran was born on 19 September 1963 in Mannar District, Sri Lanka, where he was also raised. He was born as the fifteenth child in his family and had fifteen siblings in his family.
He lost both his parents at an early age, as both became victims of the Sri Lankan civil war. His mother and eight of his siblings attempted to flee Sri Lanka in 1983 by boat, but died when their boat was capsized due to a bomb deployed by the Sri Lankan Army during the peak of the Sri Lankan civil war.
He moved to India after spending his early childhood in Sri Lanka. He grew up as a die-hard fan of M. G. Ramachandran.
In an exclusive interview with Kumudam, he revealed that he had been cheated by his agent, who promised him that he would make arrangements to get him a job in Tamil Nadu, but allegedly made Bonda Mani sign an agreement that required him to stay in Singapore for five years. However, he received a timely opportunity to meet K. Bhagyaraj, whom he asked for a film role, which Bhagyaraj refused. Mani also asked for Bhagyaraj's address, which Bhagyaraj initially refused to give. Bhagyaraj asked Mani to meet him in Chennai and clarify the situation accordingly.
He then decided to join those other Tamils in moving to Tamil Nadu to seek asylum, and in his case to pursue film roles, in 1983. He then resided in a refugee camp in Chidambaram and worked under Udaiyar Ramachandran in Chennai.
Mani apparently tried to enter the Tamil film industry for seven years, but his attempts failed to bear fruit. Mani then came back to Sri Lanka in 1990 and launched a grocery shop, naming it "Latha Stores", but suffered an injury due to a bomb attack that left one of his legs nearly paralyzed. He left Sri Lanka again that same year, once again joining a refugee camp in Salem.
Career While working in Singapore during the 1980s, he had become acquainted with director K. Bhagyaraj, who visited the country for a show. He later reconnected with Bhagyaraj during a visit to Chennai and was cast in a supporting role in Pavunnu Pavunuthan (1991). He came to Tamil Nadu mainly with the intention of entering the film industry, as he had dreamed of an acting career since his childhood, and he also made the decision to enter Kollywood due to the lack of Tamil films being produced in Sri Lanka.
Mani subsequently made a breakthrough after his performance in Thendral Varum Theru (1994) and the film received positive reviews. He eventually made his television debut in Raj TV television soap opera Ganga Yamuna Saraswati (1998), where he starred alongside veterans including M. S. Viswanathan.
He appeared with veteran Tamil actor Vadivelu in many of his memorable comedy tracks. He was persuaded by director Suraj and actor Arjun to portray the role of a beggar in Marudhamalai over a call even though his mentor Vadivelu told him not to act in such role, explaining the dire consequences of acting in such kind of roles. He had maintained good companionship with both Vadivelu and Vivek, and he also gave credit to both Vadivelu and Vivek for helping him grow in his career.
His comedy dialogues in films came mostly when he collaborated alongside Vadivelu, including "annan ethayum sollidathinga adichu kooda kepanga sollidathinga" () in Kannum Kannum, and dialogues in films like Englishkaran, Aaru, and Marudhamalai. He also occasionally collaborated with Vivek in films including Thirumalai (2003) and Padikkadavan (2009). Vivek also advised Bonda Mani that he would get more recognition and fame when he collaborated with Vadivelu.
Bonda Mani also credited G. Marimuthu with the dialogue in the film Kannum Kannum (2008), which made Bonda Mani an household name among the general audience at the time of the film's theatrical release. The dialogue became a popular internet meme template and was widely used in social media platforms.
Along with commitments as an actor, Bonda Mani ran a stage drama troupe called "Sai Kalai Koodam" and organised theatrical shows. He made a comeback return to television with a fully-fledged role in Enga Veetu Meenakshi (2021), where he played the role of a snake charmer.
Personal life In June 2016, Bonda Mani joined the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam political party along with a few Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam party workers. Bonda Mani personally met the Chief Minister Jayalalithaa to officially join the party. In 2020, he received a Sri Lankan passport but he insisted to the Sri Lankan authorities that he desired to travel abroad to engage in comedy shows. However, he did not receive Indian citizenship and remained as a refugee in India until his death, and he could not travel abroad as a result of not gaining Indian citizenship.
Illness and death Mani faced severe health issues as his health deteriorated around 2022 and he confronted diabetes. He fainted when travelling in a bus in September 2022; he was immediately admitted to Omandurar Rajiv Gandhi Hospital for medical treatment and was assisted by fellow comedian King Kong. Bonda Mani was depressed to know that the bill amount was unaffordable for him during that time especially with lack of film opportunities. It was also reported that both his kidneys were starting to malfunction.
Film producer Ishari K. Ganesh reportedly told Bonda Mani to undergo operations and dialysis and also told him to not worry about the medical expenses. He also received financial support from prominent actors including Vijay Sethupathi, Rajnikanth, Dhanush and Samuthirakani.
Mani died due to kidney failure in Polichalur, Chennai, on 23 December 2023, at the age of 60. He had been admitted to the intensive care unit at a government hospital at Omandurar. His funeral was held in Chromepet on 24 December 2023.
Filmography Year Title Role Note 1991 Pavunnu Pavunuthan Uncredited 1993 Manikuyil Pon Vilangu Maari 1994 Thendral Varum Theru Nila Ravanan 1995 Naan Petha Magane Paattu Padava Muthu Villager Uncredited Murai Mappillai 1996 Aruva Velu Vaazhga Jananayagam Avathara Purushan Kaalam Maari Pochu Sekar's coworker Minor Mappillai Ramu and Moses's friend Selva Colony man 1997 Nattupura Nayagan Bharathi Kannamma Arunachalam Pongalo Pongal Pannaiyar's servant 1998 Vettu Onnu Thundu Rendu Ponmaanai Thedi 1999 Suyamvaram Hosteller Nesam Pudhusu 2000 Thirunelveli Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai Boxer Krishnan's assistant 2001 Rishi Car washer Ninaikkatha Naalillai Townmani's henchman En Purushan Kuzhandhai Maadhiri Villager Sri Raja Rajeshwari 2002 Pammal K. Sambandam Hospital warden Vivaramana Aalu Mentally ill man Thenkasi Pattanam Karmegham Naina Mani Run Biriyani shop owner Sundara Travels Groom Maaran 2003 Vaseegara Auto driver Uncredited Anbu Customer Winner Kaipulla's sidekick Thirumalai Fake Astrologer Ottran Kadhal Kirukkan Shop owner 2004 Maanasthan Madhurey Waiter M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi Assistant priest Chatrapathy Sollattuma Jaisurya Meesai Madhavan Circus Worker Remote Aai Auto driver 2005 Ayya Mani Aayudham Mannin Maindhan 6'2 Englishkaran Thirumugam's friend Kaatrullavarai Watchman February 14 Canteen employee Chanakya Subramani's customer Mazhai Petrol Bunk Employee Aaru Mani Vetrivel Sakthivel Seller Kundakka Mandakka Auto dealer 2006 Pachchak Kuthira Bonda Aadhikkam Bonda Kurukshetram Owner of "Hotel Doobakoor" restaurant Vathiyar Muniyandi's sidekick Chennai Kadhal Rowdy Rangan Uncredited 2007 Thaamirabharani Saattai Shankar Manikanda Thottal Poo Malarum Kabali Khan's gang member Urchagam Marudhamalai Beggar Piragu 2008 Sandai Mani's troupe member Muniyandi Vilangial Moonramandu Kuselan Shanmugam's sidekick Nadigai Mumtaj's manager Uncredited 2009 Padikkadavan Bonda Mani Rajadhi Raja Azhagar Malai 2010 Vaadaa Annamalai travels worker Aarvam Mani 2011 Velayudham Beggar Osthe 2012 Medhai Mattuthavani Tea seller Akilan 2013 Mayil Paarai Masani 2014 Adhu Vera Idhu Vera Sokku Sundaram Kalkandu Nenjirukkumvarai Ninaivirukkum 2015 Vethu Vettu Attachi Appakadai customer Maharani Kottai Athiradi Kathirvel Kaakha Aluchattiyam Appadi Irikum 2016 Vaaliba Raja Bathiladi Sandikuthirai Ilamai Oonjal Actor Andaman 2017 Muthuramalingam Ghost Karanam 2018 Nari Vettai Solli Vidava Madhu's friend 2019 Thanimai Manguni Pandiyargal 2021 Sariya Thavara Chinna Pannai Periya Pannai 2022 Uzhaikkum Kaigal Paruva Kadhal 2023 Striker Va Varalam Va Sri Sabari Ayyappan 2024 Kolai Thooram Posthumous releases 2025 Otha Votu Muthaiya Farmer Magabali
Television Ganga Yamuna Saraswati (1998) Poove Poochudava (2020) – Special appearance Enga Veetu Meenakshi (2022) as Snake Charmer
References
External links
Bonda Mani on Moviebuff