Manjeri Chandran (born M. K. Ramachandran) was a notable Indian actor and producer in the Malayalam film industry. He was primarily active during the 1970s and early 1980s and appeared in around 100 films, mostly in supporting or character roles, with occasional lead appearances.
Early life Chandran was born in Oorakam, Vengara in Malappuram district, Kerala. He began his film career at a time when very few from the Malabar region entered cinema. He later moved to Madras—then the hub of South Indian cinema—and eventually returned to Manjeri in the 1980s. During his active career, he married Sathyabhama, a bank employee. Their daughter, Rani Sarran, is active in the South Indian film Industry and television Industry. Rani Sarran is married to Malayalam actor Sharran Puthumana.
Film career Chandran began his career during a golden era of Malayalam cinema. He debuted in the 1970 film Aa Chitrashalabham Parannotte. From minor roles, he quickly progressed to more prominent parts. His performances in mythological and socially relevant films brought acclaim. He later ventured into film production, contributing to several commercially successful Malayalam movies.
Selected filmography Chandran appeared in approximately 100 films across various languages.
+ Selected filmography No. Film Role Director Year 1 Aa Chitrashalabham Parannotte – – 1970 2 C.I.D. Nazir Officer P. Venu 1971 3 Gangasangamam – J. D. Thottan, B. K. Pottekkad 1971 4 Vivaha Sammanam – J. D. Thottan 1971 5 Ananthashayanam – K. Sukumaran 1972 6 Azhimukham – P. Vijayan 1972 7 Taxi Car – P. Venu 1972 8 Sambhami Yuge Yuge – K. G. George 1972 9 Football Champion – A. B. Raj 1973 10 Police Ariyaruthu – M. S. Senthilkumar 1973 11 Bhadradeepam – M. Krishnan Nair 1973 12 Ladies Hostel – Hariharan 1973 13 Agnathavasam Manager A. B. Raj 1973 14 Nakshatram – A. Vincent 1973 15 Bhoomi Devi Pushpiniyayi – T. Hariharan 1974 16 Ayalathe Sundari – Hariharan 1974 17 Honeymoon – Hariharan 1974 18 Malsaram – K. Narayanan 1975 19 Chief Guest Chandran A. B. Raj 1975 20 Palaazhi Mathanam – Sasikumar 1975 21 Appooppan Venugopal P. Bhaskaran 1976 22 Rathriyile Yathrakkaar – P. Venu 1976 23 Light House – A. B. Raj 1976 24 Mohiniyattam – Sreekumaran Thampi 1976 25 Panchami – Hariharan 1976 26 Harshabhaspam Sreedharan P. Gopikumar 1977 27 Jagadguru Adishankaran Lord Shiva P. Bhaskaran 1977 28 Madhuraswapnam – M. Krishnan Nair 1977 29 Panchamrutham – J. Sasikumar 1977 30 Sakhakaley Munnotte – J. Sasikumar 1977 31 Tholkkan Enikku Manassilla – Hariharan 1977 32 Samudram – K. G. George 1977 33 Ashtamangalyam – P. Gopikumar 1977 34 Mudra Mothiram – J. Sasikumar 1977 35 Sathyavan Savithri – P. Bhaskaran 1977 36 Asthamayam Chandran P. Chandrakumar 1978 37 Jayikkaanaayi Janichavan – J. Sasikumar 1978 38 Avalkk Maranamilla – Melattoor Ravi Varma 1978 39 Itha Oru Manushyan – I. V. Sasi 1978 40 Aalamarattam – P. Venu 1978 41 Prarthana – A. B. Raj 1978 42 Aaru Manikkooru – Devaraj, Mohan 1978 43 Snehathinte Mukhaprasam Friend of Devadas T. Hariharan 1978 44 Black Belt – Crossbelt Mani 1978 45 Pichathi Kuttappan – P. Venu 1979 46 Avalude Pratikaram – P. Venu 1979 47 Agniparvatham – P. Chandrakumar 1979 48 Ward Number Seven – P. Venu 1979 49 Kalliyankattu Neeli – M. Krishnan Nair 1979 50 Pennorumbettāl – P. K. Joseph 1979 51 Anthapuram – K. J. Rajasekharan 1980 52 VELIYETTAM Inspector P. T. Rajan 1981 53 Guha Attacker of Das M. R. Jose 1981 54 Agnisharam Inspector A. B. Raj 1981 55 Shantham Bhikharam – M. Hariharan 1981 56 Tharattu – Balachandramenon 1981 57 Belt Mathai Velayudhan T. S. Mohan 1983 58 Vashi – M. R. Jose 1983 59 Karimb – K. Vijayan, Ramu Karyatt, Manuel Romero 1984 60 Anthichuvappu – Kurian Varnashala 1984 61 Akkare Ninnoru Pennu – T. Hariharan 1984 62 Onnum Onnum Pathinonnu – Ravi Gupta 1988 63 Kannamma (Tamil) – Shivachandran 1988 64 Poonilavu – Tejas Perumannlan 1997 65 Magician Mahendralal from Delhi – K. Radhakrishnan 1998 66 Aayiram Meni Guest appearance I. V. Sasi 1999 67 Ee Snehatheerathu (Samam) – Shivaprasad 2004 68 Nayanam – Sunil Madhav 2009 69 Fast Passenger – – Unreleased 70 Suspense – – Unreleased 71 Swaraksharangal – – Unreleased
Later life and death Manjeri Chandran died on 14 April 2009.
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