Bava Lakshmanan

Indian actor

Bava Lakshmanan

Other names| Super Good Lakshmanan
Years active| 1990–present
Known for| Actor

Bava Lakshmanan is an Indian Tamil actor and comedian who predominantly featured in comedy roles. For the major part of his acting career, he shared screenspace with fellow veteran comedian actor Vadivelu in many film comedy sequences.[1]

## Career

[edit]

Originally from Madurai, Lakshmanan was born as fifth child among two sisters and six brothers in the family.[2] He started his career as child actor portraying Surulirajan's son in Madras to Pondicherry (1966) through which he developed interest towards acting. He was originally screen tested for Karthik's role in Alaigal Oivathillai (1981), which did not happen.[2] He briefly worked as painter and construction worker. He joined as worker for FEFSI Vijayan through which he tried for opportunities for films. He worked as manager for the film Sirayil Sila Raagangal (1990) and worked as production manager for Super Good Films where he earned the name Super Good Lakshmanan.[2] Many directors cast him in comedic roles due to his Madurai Tamil dialect.

He and other side comedians such as Bonda Mani, Vengal Rao, Muthukaalai, Siva Narayana Murthy, Singamuthu, Crane Manohar and Mayilsamy received more attention and popularity from general audience when they regularly combined with Vadivelu in comedy tracks. He was well known for his iconic dialogue delivery "Vaa Ma Minnal" (transl. "Come Minnal") during a marriage proposal sequence in Sarath Kumar starrer Maayi (2000) which gained him lot of fame.[3][4]

His performance as a comedy sidekick to veteran comedian Vadivelu in Ellam Avan Seyal (2008) was lauded and appreciated by the audience. In one of the comedy track sequences, Bava Lakshmanan and Halwa Vasu's hilarious response to Vadivelu when asked by Vadivelu about whether they got jaamin (transl. bail) in order to release him from police custody became immensely popular due to the mannerism shown by Bava Lakshmanan and Halwa Vasu during their response even amidst the intensity of the situation inside a police station.[5] Bava Lakshmanan was seen telling to Vadivelu "Vanjara meen irukkungran, vala meen irukunguran, aana neenga ketta jaamin mattum illantanga nae" (transl. We have seer fish, we have ribbonfish, but we don’t have the bail you’ve asked for) referring to how he and Halwa Vasu went in search of bail in a fish market.[6]

In Pirivom Santhippom (2008), he formed a jovial bond with veteran artiste M. S. Bhaskar and in one of the sequences, he responded casually "Mullu kuthuna tharaila theyi nu oru variyila sollavendiyathu thane, athukuyen puriyatha paatayellam paadikitu irukkinga" (transl. "If a thorn on the floor is causing you to slip, why don’t you say that in one verse. Why are you singing a song") to M. S. Bhaskar after the latter had given a detailed description by giving insightful analysis reminiscing his fond memories of a poem about the historical importance and cultural legacy of Irattaipulavar, which he had come across, that had been recited during the ancient medieval Sanga Kalam to depict about people should "rub the floor when a thorn is injected into the leg while walking".[7] In another comedy sequence featuring in Pirivom Santhippom, he responded to M. S. Bhaskar "Gandhiyoda kolgaiya India poora vitutu, Gujaratla matum vachirukinga, avaraa ini desapitha nu sollathinga" (transl. "Gandhi’s principles are not spread over all of India and are just in Gujarat, don’t call him the father of the nation"), who had repeatedly scolded him for his excessive alcoholic consumption as Bhaskar insisted that Bava should be boarded to Gujarat, which was the home state of freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi where alcohol is not permitted.[8]

He played Ravi Mariya's sidekick in Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran (2016), where he played a memorable role as Abishek and during a comedy track in Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran, he unintentionally plays a spoilsport during the critical juncture of an important conversation which takes place between Ravi Mariya and Robo Shankar, where he ends up releasing a fart, which stumbled the flow of Robo Shankar's storytelling as it turned out to be a distraction for him when he narrated out the turn of events which Ravi Mariya was eagerly listening as Mariya had to gain a clue from Robo Shankar's conversation.[9]

He had worked as a painter for over 5 years after not gaining adequate film acting opportunities due to being constantly cornered and sidelined by the new filmmakers in search of finding youngsters in comedy roles and also the trend of separate comedy track genre began to dwindle in Tamil cinema post 2015.[10] He alongside other side character artists and comedian actors only made sporadic appearances in films ever since Vadivelu lost film acting opportunities as the latter was banned due to lack of work ethic and other controversies. Hence Bava Lakshmanan along with the renowned Vadivelu gang was mostly ignored by filmmakers in Tamil cinema post Vadivelu era as the current set of filmmakers went onto cast popular social media trendsetters and social media influencers in film comedy sequences.[6] Bava Lakshmanan eventually went onto act in numerous small budgeted films as a result of the change in taste of the mindset of Tamil film industry as well as the change in preference of the mindset by the audience.[11] His deteriorating health condition also further hampered his acting career in perhaps what is considered to be his latter stages of his career.[12]

## Controversy

[edit]

He stirred a controversy during the shooting set of Aanandham (2001), when he tried to slap fellow actor Abbas over a dispute regarding the fact that Abbas did not maintain punctuality by arriving late to the shooting sets.[13] Bava Lakshmanan revealed in an exclusive interview that he inquired upon why Abbas did not adhere to the accountability and responsibility that should have been followed by him in terms of reporting to the film shoot on time and Abbas was quoted to have said he would only come like that taking his time. Hence Lakshmanan became furious over the immature response from Abbas, whereas the former highlighted the fact that the main lead actor Mammootty who has a huge star status had arrived to the shooting sets of Aanandham on time.[14][13]

## Personal life

[edit]

Lakshmanan also suffered significant setback in his acting career when he was diagnosed with diabetes.[15][3] One of his big toes had been removed after undergoing a surgery at Chennai Omanthurar Government Hospital due to excessive sugar levels.[16][17][18] He remains a bachelor and lives alone at his residence.[6] He also revealed in a YouTube interview that he was addicted to liquor consumption which was also one of the prime reasons why he lost on many acting offers.[19]

## Filmography

[edit]

### Films

[edit]

* Sirayil Sila Raagangal (1990)
* Sollamale (1998)
* Poomagal Oorvalam (1999)
* Pennin Manathai Thottu (2000)
* Maayi (2000)
* Aanandham (2001)
* Thamizh (2002)
* Jjunction (2002)
* Raja (2002)
* Run (2002)
* Red (2002)
* En Mana Vaanil (2002)
* April Maadhathil (2002)
* Roja Kootam (2002)
* Kurumbu (2003)
* Aasai Aasaiyai (2003)
* Kadhal Sadugudu (2003)
* Ice (2003)
* Alaudin (2003)
* Soori (2003)
* Winner (2003)
* Aai (2004)
* Kovil (2004)
* Vayasu Pasanga (2004)
* Sivakasi (2005)
* Amudhae (2005)
* Ayya (2005)
* Englishkaran (2005)
* Bambara Kannaley (2005)
* 6′.2″ (2005)
* Kadhal Seiya Virumbu (2005)
* Varalaru (2006)
* Kovai Brothers (2006)
* Don Chera (2006)
* Perarasu (2006)
* Dharmapuri (2006)
* Paramasivan (2006)
* Kai Vandha Kalai (2006)
* Kurukshetram (2006)
* Sudesi (2006)
* Nagareega Komali (2006)
* Muruga (2007)
* Viyabari (2007)
* Thaamirabharani (2007)
* Vel (2007)
* Thottal Poo Malarum (2007)
* Karuppusamy Kuththagaithaarar (2007)
* Koodal Nagar (2007)
* Pandi (2008)
* Pirivom Santhippom (2008)
* Kee Mu (2008)
* Pazhani (2008)
* Ragasiya Snehithane (2008)
* Ini Varum Kaalam (2008)
* Theeyavan (2008)
* Indiralohathil Na Azhagappan (2008)
* Ellam Avan Seyal (2008)
* Surya (2008)
* Sutta Pazham (2008)
* Perumal (2009)
* Solla Solla Inikkum (2009)
* Aarumaname (2009)
* Gnabagangal (2009)
* 1977 (2009)
* Ninaithale Inikkum (2009)
* 365 Kadhal Kadithangal (2010)
* Nagaram Marupakkam (2010)
* Azhagaana Ponnuthan (2010)
* Mandhira Punnagai (2010)
* Vedi (2011)
* Osthe (2011)
* Udhayan (2011)
* Ilaignan (2011)
* Aivar (2011)
* Kalakalappu (2012)
* Pandi Oliperukki Nilayam (2012)
* Thagaraaru (2013)
* Pattathu Yaanai (2013)
* Pandiya Naadu (2013)
* Thulli Vilayadu (2013)
* Chandhamama (2013)
* Oruvar Meethu Iruvar Sainthu (2013)
* Poriyaalan (2014)
* Vellaikaara Durai (2014)
* Vilaasam (2014)
* Jilla (2014)
* Velmurugan Borewells (2014)
* Jeeva (2014)
* Vanavarayan Vallavarayan (2014)
* Adhibar (2015)
* Aavi Kumar (2015)
* Sathuran (2015)
* Maharani Kottai (2015)
* Eli (2015)
* En Vazhi Thani Vazhi (2015)
* Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran (2016)
* Pagiri (2016)
* Navarasa Thilagam (2016)
* Tamilselvanum Thaniyar Anjalum (2016)
* Kaththi Sandai (2016)
* Hello Naan Pei Pesuren (2016)
* Thirunaal (2016)
* Si3 (2017)
* Saravanan Irukka Bayamaen (2017)
* Bongu (2017)
* Kaathadi (2018)
* Kaathiruppor Pattiyal (2018)
* Kadikara Manithargal (2018)
* Torchlight (2018)
* Pottu (2019)
* Oviyavai Vitta Yaru (2019)
* Sathru (2019)
* Butler Balu (2019)
* Kudimagan (2019)
* Ganesha Meendum Santhipom (2019)
* Kanni Raasi (2020)
* Cocktail (2020)
* Thaen (2021)
* Jango (2021)
* Eeswaran (2021)
* Thanne Vandi (2021)
* Idiot (2022)
* Pistha (2022)
* Rayar Parambarai (2023)
* Mudakkaruthaan (2024)

### Television

[edit]

* Enga Veetu Meenakshi (2021)[20]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "கல்யாணமா..? அந்த ஆசையே போச்சு; இதுதான் காரணமே - மனம் திறந்த பாவா லட்சுமணன்! - தமிழ்நாடு". IBC Tamilnadu (in Tamil). Retrieved 2024-12-22.
2. ^ a b c பாரதிராஜா, மை. (11 May 2015). "எங்கேயோ பார்த்த முகம்". Kungumam (in Tamil). Retrieved 22 December 2024.
3. ^ a b "'Vaa Maa Minnal' fame comedian Bava Lakshmanan undergoes surgery for serious ailment - News". IndiaGlitz.com. 2023-06-15. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
4. ^ "யாரு அது நம்மள மாதிரியே இருக்கா? - சத்தியமா அது நான் இல்லை: ரசிகர்கள் அதிர்ச்சி - தமிழ்நாடு". IBC Tamilnadu (in Tamil). Retrieved 2024-12-22.
5. ^ Ayngaran (2020-10-28). கடலையே இல்லயாம்!!! | Ellam Avan Seyal Tamil Movie | Vandu Murugan Comedy | RK | Vadivelu |. Retrieved 2024-12-22 - via YouTube.
6. ^ a b c ""கட்டை விரலை எடுத்துட்டாங்க; பொண்டாட்டி, புள்ளகுட்டி இருந்திருந்தா..." - பாவா லட்சுமணன் வருத்தம்". Vikatan (in Tamil). 2023-06-15. Archived from the original on 2024-07-06. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
7. ^ irattai pulavargal | m.s.bhaskar | tamizh status | kavithai | pirivom sandhipom #tamil #msbaskar. Retrieved 2024-12-22 - via www.youtube.com.
8. ^ eTamilMusic (2008-06-15). Tamil Comedy - Pirivom Santhipom - Kancha Karuppu. Retrieved 2024-12-22 - via YouTube.
9. ^ AP International (2016-08-05). Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran Comedy Scenes | Full Comedy 3 | Soori | Robo Shankar | Vishnu Vishal. Retrieved 2024-12-22 - via YouTube.
10. ^ மலர், மாலை (2024-12-21). "தயாரிப்பாளர் அட்லீக்கு நெருக்கடி கொடுக்கும் பாலிவுட் - காரணம் என்ன ?". www.maalaimalar.com (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 2024-12-21. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
11. ^ "Aranthangi Nisha and Bava Lakshmanan are part of Vasantabalan's next". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
12. ^ Navaneethakrishnan, Stalin. "Bava Lakshmanan: 'சுகர் மாத்திரை வாங்க காசில்லை.. செத்துட்டேனு போஸ்டர் ஒட்டியாச்சு' பாவா லட்சுமணன் உருக்கம்!". Tamil Hindustan Times (in Tamil). Retrieved 2024-12-22.
13. ^ a b பாரதி (2024-12-09). "அப்பாஸை அன்று அடிக்கப்போனேன் - பாவா லட்சுமணன்!". Kalki Online (in Tamil). Retrieved 2024-12-22.
14. ^ manimegalai.a. "திமிராக பேசிய அப்பாஸ்; ஆனந்தம் படப்பிடிப்பில் அடிக்க பாய்ந்த பாவா லட்சுமணன்! என்ன நடந்தது?". Asianet News Tamil (in Tamil). Archived from the original on 2024-12-15. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
15. ^ "சர்க்கரை நோயால் 'வாம்மா மின்னல்' புகழ் நடிகரின் கால் கட்டை விரல் அகற்றம்". Samayam Tamil (in Tamil). Retrieved 2024-12-22.
16. ^ Bharat, E. T. V. (2023-06-15). "Bava Lakshmanan: பிரபல நகைச்சுவை நடிகர் பாவா லட்சுமணன் கால் கட்டை விரல் அகற்றம்!". ETV Bharat News (in Tamil). Retrieved 2024-12-22.
17. ^ V, Aarthi. "Bava Lakshmanan: நடிகர் பாவா லட்சுமணன் கால் கட்டை விரல் அகற்றம்". Tamil Hindustan Times (in Tamil). Retrieved 2024-12-22.
18. ^ "ஜீவா இப்ப வரைக்கும் எனக்கு மாசம் 15000 அனுப்பிட்டு இருக்காரு! காரணம் இதுதான்! பாவா லட்சுமணன் எமோஷனல்". OneIndia (in Tamil). 2024-07-09. Archived from the original on 2024-07-10. Retrieved 2024-12-22.
19. ^ S, Karthikeyan. "'சினிமாக்காரர்களுக்கு பெண்கள் பழக்கம் இருக்கும்' - காமெடி நடிகர் பாவா லட்சுமணன் ஓப்பன் டாக்!". Tamil Hindustan Times (in Tamil). Retrieved 2024-12-22.
20. ^ "Here's how Team Enga Veetu Meenakshi celebrated Jeeva Thangavel's birthday". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2024-12-22.

*[transl.]: translation