Actor-director Manobala gets a doctorate

Actor-turned-director Manobala has been conferred a doctorate by the South Western American University. He has been conferred with the doctorate for his decades-long contribution to films.

The actor-director has also been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the Global Achievers Council for making a mark as a filmmaker, an actor and as a comedian.

An overwhelmed Manobala has thanked the South Western American University and the Global Achievers Council for honouring him. He has also thanked his family, friends and fans for supporting him all these years. He also shared a couple of pics of him from the event on his social media handle to express his happiness at having received these honours.

Manobala, who had started out as an assistant to legendary filmmaker Bharathirajaa, turned director with the 1982 film Agaya Gangai. He has directed hit films like Pillai Nila, Oorkavalan (starring Superstar Rajinikanth), and Mallu Vetti Minor among others. He became a sought-after comic actor in the early 2000s thanks to his wiry frame and unique dialogue delivery. He has been part of memorable comic tracks in films like Pithamagan, Ice, Chandramukhi, Yaaradi Nee Mohini, Thamizh Padam, Alex Pandian, the Aranmanai franchise and Aambala. He has had hilarious collaborations with leading comic actors like Vivekh, Vadivelu and Santhanam.

Along with Manobala, Poochi Murugan, who is the Vice President of the South Indian Artistes Association (popularly known as Nadigar Sangam), has been conferred a doctorate by the South Western American University. This is in recognition of his contribution in many spheres. Poochi Murugan is also the chairman of the Tamil Nadu Housing Board.
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