Crazy Mohan | |
|---|---|
 Mohan in the playChocolate Krishna, 2015 | |
| Born | Mohan Rangachari[1] (1952-10-16)16 October 1952 |
| Died | 10 June 2019(2019-06-10) (aged 66) |
| Occupation(s) | Actor Comedian Playwright Screenwriter |
| Years active | 1976–2019 |
| Family | Maadhu Balaji (brother) |
Mohan Rangachari (16 October 1952 – 10 June 2019)[2] known professionally asCrazy Mohan, was an Indian actor, comedian, screenwriter and playwright.[3] An engineer by profession, Mohan started writing plays and established his own drama troupe called "Crazy Creations" in 1979. In addition to dramas and tele-serials, Mohan worked as a dialogue writer on a number of comedy films. Mohan had written over 30 plays, worked on over 40 films, having cameo roles in each film, and written 100 short stories.[1] TheTamil Nadu state government in the year 2004, awarded him theKalaimamani title for excellence in the field of arts and literature.
Mohan was a student at theCollege of Engineering, Guindy, where he graduated as amechanical engineer in 1973.[4][1][5] His guide was his classmate S. Ravi, who was the President of Tamil Mandram. Before becoming a full-time writer, Mohan was working atSundaram - Clayton Limited.[6]
At the College of Engineering, Guindy, in February 1972, he first wroteGreat Bank Robbery, askit for an intra class contest within the Guindy Engineering college for which he received the Best Writer award.[1][7][8] It was followed by scripts for his younger brotherMaadhu Balaji's drama troupe atRamakrishna Mission Vivekananda College, Chennai.[1] The first full-length play he wrote wasCrazy Thieves in Paalavakkam for Natakapriya in 1976,[9] which was a runaway hit[10] and gave him thenom de plume "Crazy" Mohan.[11][12] He also wrote scripts forTenant Commandments andOne More Exorcist.[9]
After writing for other productions, Mohan decided to start his own troupe and founded Crazy Creations in 1979.[9] The troupe has since created over 30 plays with original scripts and staged over 6,500 shows all over India and abroad.[13] His playChocolate Krishna had been staged 500 times within three years.[14] His brother Maadhu Balaji, who is an actor, plays the hero in all his dramas.
The first feature film he worked on wasK. Balachander'sPoikkal Kudhirai for which he wrote the dialogues. The film itself was based on Mohan's dramaMarriage made in Saloon.[10] He went on to write dialogues for several comedy films, particularly starring Kamal Haasan, which includeSathi Leelavathi,Kaathala Kaathala,Michael Madana Kama Rajan,Apoorva Sagodharargal,Indian,Avvai Shanmughi,Thenali,Panchathanthiram andVasool Raja MBBS.[9][15] The 2006 filmJerry had a story and screenplay by Mohan and featured Mohan's entire theatre team, including its directorS. B. Khanthan.[10] He has also acted in supporting orcameo roles in the films he wrote the dialogue or script for.
In 1989, he also began producing television comedy series. Serials he produced includeHere is Crazy,Kalyanathukku Kalyanam with over 600 episodes andVidathu Sirippu,[16] with the latter winning the Best Comedy Serial award from Mylapore Academy in 2005.[17] He also wrote 100 short stories.[1]
Mohan was also a distinguished artist who has sketched/painted nearly 60 aesthetic paintings, including portraits of spiritual leaders and eminent personalities, Raja Ravi Verma’s portraitures and portraits of Gods and Prophets.[citation needed]
Mohan penned at least oneVenba every day—over 40,000 Venbas in his lifetime.[citation needed]
Best Dialogue Writer -14th Cinema Express Awards forChinna Mapillai
The Tamil Nadu state government in the year 2004, awarded him theKalaimamani title for excellence in the field of arts and literature.
Professional excellence award[18] by The Governor of Maryland, USA, for his outstanding contributions to Tamil literature, fine arts, theatres for more than 38 years.
Mohan was a donor and philanthropist for over 39 years. He contributed donations towards heart surgeries, kidney transplants from the proceeds from the sale of his drama tickets.
Donations to the Cancer Institute, Adyar run by Dr. V.Shantha, since 1999.
The proceeds from the sales of his book- 'Crazy about Ramana' are re-directed towards educating Indian culture and values to poor children studying in Government schools.
Some of his popular Tamil dramas as a dialogue writer and actor are listed below.
As a script and dialogue writer
Web series
Mohan complained of stomach pain and breathlessness in the morning of 10 June 2019. After he suffered a heart attack, Mohan was rushed toKauvery Hospital by Maadhu Balaji. A team of doctors worked on Mohan for to revive him.But with in 20 minutes , All efforts to revive him failed, and Mohan was declared dead at around 2:00 PMIST the same day. He is survived by his wife and 2 sons.[28]