Popular Tamil actor, comedian, and music composer Madhan Bob passed away on August 2 in Chennai. He was 70 years old.
Born as S. Krishnamurthy on October 19, 1953, he later became known to audiences as Madhan Bob. Over the years, he carved a unique identity in Tamil cinema with his energetic comic timing, expressive face, and signature wide-eyed reactions.
Madhan Bob didn’t start his journey in the film world right away. Before entering the entertainment field, he worked in different roles; first as a medical representative, and then as a sales officer. But his heart was always in music. He eventually quit his job to follow his passion.
He trained under some of the finest musicians in the country including S. Ramanathan, Harihara Sharma, and the legendary ‘Vikku’ Vinayakaram. With their guidance, Madhan learned both Western and Carnatic music. He went on to compose music for television shows, radio advertisements, stage dramas, and serials.
In fact, when Doordarshan began its broadcasts in Chennai in 1975, he became the first person to perform with a guitar on the channel.
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His contribution to the world of music didn’t end there. In a proud moment for his fans, renowned composer A.R. Rahman once revealed that Madhan Bob had mentored him in his early years. Rahman mentioned this during the launch of the film ‘Thenali’ in 2000, acknowledging Madhan’s support and influence.
Madhan Bob’s acting career began in 1984 with the film ‘Neengal Kettavai’, directed by Balu Mahendra. While he started as a music composer, it was his shift to acting that made him a household name. His natural comic sense, lively expressions, and easy rapport with fellow actors made him a regular in many hit films.
Over time, he became part of several silver jubilee blockbusters, earning him the affectionate title of “sentiment artist” in Kollywood, because films featuring him often turned out to be massive successes.
Apart from films, Madhan Bob also became a familiar face on television. He hosted and judged various shows.