Bonda Mani

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.

Prominence
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   1993 Manikuyil   Pon Vilangu   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   Minor Mappillai   Selva   1997 Nattupura Nayagan   Bharathi Kannamma   Arunachalam   Pongalo Pongal   1998 Vettu Onnu Thundu Rendu   Ponmaanai Thedi   1999 Suyamvaram   Nesam Pudhusu  2000  Thirunelveli   Koodi Vazhnthal Kodi Nanmai   2001 Rishi   Ninaikkatha Naalillai   En Purushan Kuzhandhai Maadhiri   Sri Raja Rajeshwari   2002 Pammal K. Sambandam   Vivaramana Aalu   Thenkasi Pattanam   Karmegham   Naina   Run   Sundara Travels   Maaran   2003 Vaseegara Auto driver Uncredited Anbu   Winner   Thirumalai   Ottran   Kadhal Kirukkan   2004 Maanasthan   Madhurey   M. Kumaran Son of Mahalakshmi   Chatrapathy   Sollattuma   Jaisurya   Meesai Madhavan   Remote   Aai   2005 Ayya   Aayudham   Mannin Maindhan   6'2   Englishkaran   Kaatrullavarai   February 14   Chanakya   Mazhai   Aaru   Vetrivel Sakthivel   Kundakka Mandakka   2006 Pachchak Kuthira   Aadhikkam   Kurukshetram   Vathiyar   2007 Thaamirabharani   Manikanda   Thottal Poo Malarum   Marudhamalai   Piragu   2008 Sandai   Muniyandi Vilangial Moonramandu   Kuselan   Nadigai  Mumtaj's manager Uncredited 2009 Padikkadavan   Rajadhi Raja   Azhagar Malai   2010 Vaadaa   Aarvam   2011 Velayudham  2012 Medhai  Mattuthavani   2013 Masani   2014 Adhu Vera Idhu Vera   Sokku Sundaram   Kalkandu   Nenjirukkumvarai Ninaivirukkum  2015 Maharani Kottai   Athiradi   Kathirvel Kaakha   Aluchattiyam Appadi Irikum   2016 Vaaliba Raja   Bathiladi   Sandikuthirai   Ilamai Oonjal   Andaman   2017 Muthuramalingam   Karanam   2018 Nari Vettai   Solli Vidava   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 

Television
 Ganga Yamuna Saraswati (1998)
 Poove Poochudava (2020) – Special appearance
 Enga Veetu Meenakshi (2022) as Snake Charmer

References

External links

Bonda Mani on Moviebuff

Category:1963 births
Category:2023 deaths
Category:Indian male film actors
Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema
Category:21st-century Indian male actors
Category:Indian male comedians
Category:Tamil comedians
Category:Sri Lankan emigrants to India
Category:Indian people of Sri Lankan descent
Category:People from Mannar District
Category:Deaths from kidney disease