Actor Bonda Mani, who has been popularly seen along with Vadivelu as a supporting comedian, has passed away. The 60-year-old actor breathed his last on Saturday, after ailing from a Kidney-related medical condition.
Bonda Mani was reportedly ailing for a while now. Many actors including Vijay Sethupathi, Dhanush and Vadivelu supported him financially for his medical treatment. However, the actor reportedly fainted in his house on Saturday, following which he was rushed to the hospital. After checking him, the doctors announced his demise.
Born Kedheeshwaran, Bonda Mani was originally from Sri Lanka. His stage name, Bonda Mani became associated with him because Bondas were his staple diet during his struggling times as an actor, and he had added the suffix Mani from his mentor Goundamani's name.
Mani was introduced into the industry by director and actor K Bhagyaraj with Pavunnu Pavunuthan in 1991. An aspiring actor, Mani got his break in 1994 with the NG Gowri Manohar directorial Thendral Varum Theru.
He then had a brief stint in Television with Raj TV's Ganga Yamuna Saraswati (1998), in which he starred alongside MS Vishwanathan. His claim to fame came with the many comedy tracks he performed with Vadivelu.
Bonda Mani was recently seen in Va Varalam Va and earlier in Striker this year. Some of his recent film credits include Ayya (2005), Thaamirabharani (2007), Padikkadhavan (2009), and Velayudham (2011), among others.
Along with film acting, Mani was also managing a stage troupe called Sai Kalai Koodam. Notably, he was an ardent fan of actor and politician MG Ramachandran.
Bonda Mani is survived by his wife, a daughter and a son.
