{{Short description|Indian actor and singer (1972–2021)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2021}} {{Use Indian English|date=May 2021}} {{Infobox person | name = Maran | image = | native_name_lang = Tamil | birth_name = Manimaran | other_names = Ghilli Maran, Chengalpattu Maran | birth_date = {{birth date|1972|6|4|df=yes}} | birth_place = Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India | death_date = {{death date and age|2021|5|12|1972|6|4|df=yes}} | death_place = Chengalpattu, Tamil Nadu, India | years_active = 2001{{endash}}2021 | occupation = actor | known_for = ''Ghilli'' }}
'''Maran''' also known as '''Ghilli Maran''' (4 June 1972 – 12 May 2021) was an Indian actor and singer who primarily featured as a comedian in films.
==Personal life==
He was born in Naththam, Chengalpet district. He was married to Clara Manimaran and the couple have a daughter.
== Career == He made his big-screen debut in the 2001 film ''Rishi'', playing a minor role. He then played the role of a kabaddi player in Dharani's directorial ''Ghilli'' (2004) which became a box office success. He is known for playing the role of Vijay's friend in the sports drama film.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|author=The Hindu Net Desk|date=2021-05-12|title='Ghilli' actor Maran dies of COVID-19|language=en-IN|work=The Hindu|url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ghilli-actor-maran-dies-of-covid-19/article34540766.ece|access-date=2021-05-12|issn=0971-751X|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512133726/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/ghilli-actor-maran-dies-of-covid-19/article34540766.ece|url-status=live}}</ref> Maran's performance as a henchman in ''Thalainagaram'' was also lauded by audience where he featured alongside veteran comedian Vadivelu.<ref name=":1" /> He was seen posthumously in film ''Sarpatta Parambarai'' and ''Anti Indian''.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-12|title=Tamil actor Maran dies of Covid-19 at 48|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/tamil-actor-maran-dies-of-covid-19-at-48-101620815936067.html|access-date=2021-05-12|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-date=13 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513145419/https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/tamil-cinema/tamil-actor-maran-dies-of-covid-19-at-48-101620815936067.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
In addition, he had also performed gaana songs at concerts at his home town.<ref name=":2">{{Cite magazine|author=Janani K.|date=May 12, 2021|title=Ghilli actor Maran dies of Covid-19 at 48 in Chengalpet|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/ghilli-actor-maran-dies-of-covid-19-at-48-in-chengalpet-1801584-2021-05-12|access-date=2021-05-12|magazine=India Today|language=en|archive-date=13 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210513152214/https://www.indiatoday.in/movies/regional-cinema/story/ghilli-actor-maran-dies-of-covid-19-at-48-in-chengalpet-1801584-2021-05-12|url-status=live}}</ref>
==Filmography==
*''All films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.''
{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Year !! Film !! Role !! class="unsortable"|Notes |- | 2001 || ''Rishi'' || || Uncredited role |- | 2002 || ''Ezhumalai'' || Anandaraj's henchman|| |- | 2004 ||''Ghilli'' || Saravanavelu's teammate || |- | rowspan="2"|2006 || ''Dishyum'' || Maran|| |- | ''Thalainagaram'' || Henchman who argues with Naai Sekar || |- |rowspan="3"|2007 || ''Thee Nagar'' || Henchman || |- | ''Deepavali'' || Fisherman || |- | ''Marudhamalai'' || Henchman || |- | rowspan="2"| 2008 || ''Kuruvi'' || || |- | ''Pathu Pathu'' || Pickpocket || |- | 2009 || ''Vettaikaran'' ||Ravi's friend || |- | rowspan="2"|2010 || ''Maanja Velu'' || Henchman || |- | ''Boss Engira Bhaskaran'' || || |- | rowspan="2"|2011 || ''Mappillai'' || Ravi || |- |''Vandhaan Vendraan'' | | |- | rowspan="2"|2013 || ''Chandhamama'' || || |- |''Pattathu Yaanai'' || || |- | 2014 || ''Maan Karate'' || Boxer || |- | 2015 || ''Kaththukkutti'' || Arivazhagan's friend || |- | rowspan="2"|2016 |''Velainu Vandhutta Vellaikaaran'' | | |- |''Kaththi Sandai'' |Deva's henchman | |- |2017 |''Julieum 4 Perum'' | | |- | 2018 || ''KGF: Chapter 1'' || || Kannada film |- | 2019 || ''Sangathamizhan'' || Raghu || |- | rowspan="2"|2021 ||''Sarpatta Parambarai'' || Maanja Kannan || rowspan="2"|Posthumous release |- | ''Anti Indian'' || |}
== Death == Maran died on 12 May 2021 at the age of 48 due to COVID-19.<ref name=":2" /> He underwent treatment at the Chengalpet Government Hospital where he was hospitalized two days prior to his death.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Tamil actor Maran passes away from COVID-19 complications|url=https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/tamil-actor-maran-passes-away-from-covid-19-complications/755947|access-date=2021-05-12|website=www.zoomtventertainment.com|date=12 May 2021|language=en|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512150310/https://www.zoomtventertainment.com/tamil-cinema/article/tamil-actor-maran-passes-away-from-covid-19-complications/755947|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-12|title=Tamil actor Maran passes away due to Covid-19 complications|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/tamil-actor-maran-passes-away-due-to-covid-19-complications-7312144/|access-date=2021-05-12|website=The Indian Express|language=en|archive-date=12 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210512132727/https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/tamil/tamil-actor-maran-passes-away-due-to-covid-19-complications-7312144/|url-status=live}}</ref>
== References == {{Reflist}} {{Authority control}}
Category:1972 births Category:2021 deaths Category:21st-century Tamil male actors Category:Indian male comedians Category:Indian male film actors Category:Male actors in Tamil cinema Category:Tamil comedians Category:21st-century Indian male singers Category:Indian folk singers Category:Actors from Kanchipuram district Category:Deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic in India