Manobala & Cheran Movies Together List — 3 Films

The shape of the work

Never on the same side of the camera — Manobala actor, Cheran director, across all 3 films.

Partnership facts

• Cheran wasn't the first choice for Chennaiyil Oru Naal (2013). Manobala originally wanted a younger hero. Cheran convinced him by saying the role needed a tired, middle-aged man — and that he was exactly that.
• On the sets of Raja Dhi Raja (2016), Manobala let Cheran rewrite his own dialogues. Cheran would sit with the script at night and add local slang. Manobala said it made the comedy land harder.
• Manobala and Cheran never had a formal contract for any of their three films. They shook hands on a napkin for Chennaiyil Oru Naal. Cheran still has that napkin.
• Thirumanam (2019) was the only hit in their collaboration. Its success directly led to Cheran getting cast in two more family comedies in 2020 — roles that were written specifically because producers saw his comic timing in this film.
• Cheran once said in an interview: 'Manobala doesn't direct actors. He just puts you in a room and watches. If you're bad, he'll yawn. That's his note.'
• After Thirumanam released, Manobala and Cheran stopped talking for two years. No fight — just drifted. Cheran later said they 'ran out of reasons to call each other.' They still haven't worked together since.