Veteran Tamil actor and comedian Madhan Bob, whose real name was S Krishnamoorthy, has passed away at the age of 71. His son, Archith, confirmed that the actor breathed his last at his residence in Chennai after battling cancer. Fondly called the “Punnagai Mannan” or King of Smiles, Madhan Bob was cherished for his vibrant personality, signature laughter, and unique comic style that made him a fan favourite across generations.
Madhan Bob Rose to Fame With Vaaname Ellai
Though he began his career with smaller roles, Madhan Bob rose to fame with the 1992 Tamil film Vaaname Ellai, directed by K Balachander. This film proved to be a turning point in his career. His natural timing, funny expressions, and lively screen presence instantly struck a chord with the audience. From that moment on, he became one of Tamil cinema’s most recognisable comic faces.
Among his most iconic roles was Diamond Babu in Thenali (2000), where he shared the screen with Kamal Haasan. He also entertained fans as Manager Sundaresan in Friends (2000), showing off his effortless ability to bring humour to every scene he was part of.
Prabhudeva Pays Tribute To S Krishnamoorthy
Actor Prabhudeva (who worked with Madhan Bob) shared a tribute on social media and wrote, “We shared the screen, and his presence always brought joy to the set. Cheerful, kind, and full of humour, he made everyone feel happy around him. Heartfelt condolences to his family. He’ll always be remembered.”
Madhan Bob starred in over 600 films, mainly in Tamil, but his talent also extended to other languages. He appeared in Hindi films like Chachi 420 (1997), Telugu films such as Bangaram (2006), and Malayalam titles including Bhramaram (2009) and Celluloid (2013).
Long before becoming a beloved comedian, Madhan Bob had a strong background in music. He began his career as a keyboardist and received classical training in both Western and Carnatic music. He trained under respected artists like S Ramanathan, Vikku Vinayakaram, and Harihara Sharma. Notably, he also served as a music mentor to AR Rahman, which reflects his deep influence beyond acting.
His musical roots shaped his unique approach to comedy. Whether through his timing, pauses, or expressions, he brought a musical rhythm to his roles that made his performances stand out.
News of Madhan Bob’s passing has left a deep void in the hearts of fans and the film fraternity. Tributes continue to pour in from fans and co-stars who remember him for his ever-smiling face and ability to light up the screen.
He worked alongside Tamil cinema greats like Rajinikanth, Kamal Haasan, Ajith Kumar, Suriya, and Vijay, appearing in popular films such as Thevar Magan (1992), Sathi Leelavathi (1995), and Chandramukhi (2005).
In a past interview, Madhan fondly recalled that Sivaji Ganesan once praised his performance in Thevar Magan.
