Santhanam & Crane Manohar Movies Together List — 4 Films
Complete Movies List & Collaboration History
Last updated: 2026-06-05 · Data sources: Wikipedia, TMDB
Santhanam and Crane Manohar appeared together in 4 Tamil films between 2004 and 2014. Their highest-rated collaboration was Rendu (2006 — 6.8/10). Films span Manmadhan (2004) through Bramman (2014).
The Santhanam & Crane Manohar partnership
After 8 years apart, they came back together for Veeram (2014). They didn't share a set between 2006 and 2014. From Manmadhan (2004) to Bramman (2014).
It started with Manmadhan (2004).
The shape of the work
The 2000s belonged to Rendu; the 2010s to Veeram. Santhanam acted in every film; Crane Manohar acted in all of them. Strictly Tamil cinema — they never crossed industries together.
Partnership facts
- Crane Manohar wasn't a full-time actor when Santhanam cast him in Rendu (2006). Santhanam spotted him working as a crane operator on a film set and offered him a role on the spot. That's how he got his stage name.
- In Veeram (2014), Santhanam deliberately slowed down his comic timing to match Manohar's deadpan delivery. Manohar never tried to be funny — he just reacted. Santhanam told the director to let Manohar's silences play out, which made their scenes together land harder.
- After Bramman (2014) flopped, Santhanam personally called Manohar to apologize. He felt he'd dragged his friend into a weak script. Manohar reportedly told him, 'I'm still a crane operator who got to act. No regrets.' They stayed in touch until Manohar's death in 2023.
- Santhanam once said in an interview: 'Manohar doesn't know he's funny. That's why he's funny. I had to beg him to take acting seriously because he thought it was just a side gig.'
- Their pairing in Rendu (2006) created a template for the 'hero's friend who is also a comic sidekick' in Tamil masala films. Directors started specifically writing roles for a Santhanam-type lead comedian paired with a Manohar-type straight man. It directly influenced how comedians were cast in films like Soodhu Kavvum (2013).
4 films across 2 decades
The 2000s accounted for 2 films, averaging 6.7/10.
The 2010s accounted for 2 films, averaging 5.8/10.
- Rendu
- Manmadhan
- Veeram
- Bramman
The partnership in numbers
Partnership Pattern
4 films across 10 years represents consistent collaboration.
Language Distribution
Linguistic diversity: 1 language, with Tamil being their primary medium.
Where each was in their career
After Bramman, Santhanam kept going for 39 more films; Crane Manohar stepped back.
Before Manmadhan, Santhanam had starred in 1 film, including Kadhal Azhivathillai (2002).
After Bramman, Santhanam went on to appear in 39 more films, including Server Sundaram (2020) and Kalavaadiya Pozhuthugal (2017).
Before Manmadhan, Crane Manohar had starred in 18 films, including Saamy (2003) and Winner (2003).
After Bramman, Crane Manohar went on to appear in 20 more films, including Guru Uchaththula Irukkaru (2017) and Boat (2024).
Collaboration Journey
A chronological view of Santhanam & Crane Manohar's professional partnership
Actors and musicians who worked on most of their films
Atul Kulkarni is the through-line — cast on 2 of their 4 films.
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