Manju Warrier

Manju Warrier (; born 10 September 1978) is an Indian actress, producer, classical dancer and playback singer who primarily appears in Malayalam language films. She is the recipient of several awards including one National Film Award, one Kerala State Film Award and seven Filmfare Awards South. She is regarded as one of the most prolific actresses in Malayalam cinema.

She made her acting debut in ''Sakshyam'' (1995) at the age of 17. Her notable films include '' Thooval Kottaram'' (1996), ''Sallapam'' (1996), ''Ee Puzhayum Kadannu'' (1996), and ''Aaraam Thampuran'' (1997).

Warrier married actor Dileep in 1998 and stopped acting. Since their divorce in 2014, she returned to cinema with the critically and commercially successful Malayalam film '' How Old Are You?'' (2014).

Early life

Manju Warrier was born on 10 September 1978 in Nagercoil city of Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu in a Malayali family. Her family is originally from Pullu village in Thrissur district of Kerala. Her father, T. V. Madhavan, worked as an accountant at Shakthi Finance's Nagercoil regional office and her mother(from Thiruvilwamala) was a house wife. She has an elder brother, Madhu Wariar, who is also an actor and producer.

Warrier did her primary schooling from CSI Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Nagercoil. After her father was promoted, they returned to Kerala and settled in Kannur. She studied at Chinmaya Vidyalaya, Kannur and later at Chovva Higher Secondary School.

Career

Early films (1995–1999)

Warrier first appeared in a television serial ''Moharavam'' which was telecast on Doordarshan.

In the first half of her on-screen career, Manju featured in 20 films over a three-year period with prominent directors producing a number of performances that earned her equal billing with some of the male leading actors in Malayalam.

At the age of 17, she debuted in the film ''Sakshyam'' (1995). Later at the age of 18, she acted in the movie ''Sallapam'' (1996), co-starring Dileep, whom she later married.

Her performance in the movie '' Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu'' won a special mention from the jury for the National Film Awards. Her other films include: '' Kanmadam'' and ''Aaraam Thampuran'' with Mohanlal,
''Ee Puzhayum Kadannu'' and ''Kudamattam'' with her now ex-husband Dileep, '' Summer in Bethlehem'', '' Pranayavarnangal'', ''Pathram'' and ''Kaliyattam'' with Suresh Gopi, and ''Irattakuttikalude Achan'',''Dilliwala Rajakumaran'', ''Kaliveedu'', '' Thooval Kottaram'' and '' Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu'' with Jayaram.

She won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for her performance in the movie ''Ee Puzhayum Kadannu''. In '' Kanmadam'', she portrayed the role of a high-tempered blacksmith named Bhanu, which also starred Mohanlal. In her film '' Daya'', Warrier's character is disguised as a man. Her role as the strong-willed Devika in ''Pathram'' was popular with audiences. It was the highest-grossing film of 1999 and played for over 250 days in theatres. Her last film before she took a sabbatical was '' Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu''. Her portrayal of Bhadra, who takes revenge against Natesan who killed her parents, is considered her best acting performance to date. She was awarded the Special Mention (acting) for her performance.

Professional return and comeback to the movies (2012-2014)

On 24 October 2012, she performed Kuchipudi in the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple.Later in July 2013, she acted in a commercial with Amitabh Bachchan. She later appeared in many advertisements for Kalyan Jewellers alongside Amitabh Bacchan, Aishwarya Rai, Nagarjuna, Prabhu and Shiva Rajkumar. She recently published a book titled ''Sallapam''.

She made her return to cinema with Rosshan Andrrews's '' How Old Are You'' in 2014. Warrier played the character of Nirupama Rajeev, a UD clerk in the Revenue Department. The film received positive reviews from critics and was well received by audiences and it became a succesfull hit in the Kerala box office. She received numerous accolades and became the goodwill ambassador for many ventures related to organic farming, inspired by her film.

2015- present

Her next film was Sathyan Anthikad's ''Ennum Eppozhum'' which reunites her with Mohanlal after a gap of 17 years. Her next project was ''Rani Padmini'' by Aashiq Abu along with Rima Kallingal, released in October 2015. The film did not fare well at the box office. She acted in ''Jo and the Boy'', ''Vettah'', '' Karinkunnam 6's'' ''C/O Saira Banu'', ''Udaharanam Sujatha'' and ''Villain''.

She acted in a Sanskrit stage drama based on Abhijñānaśākuntalam. The play was presented by the Sopanam Institute of Performing Arts & Research, founded by the late Kavalam Narayana Panicker, and was hosted by Swaralaya. Warrier debuted as a producer as well and the play was produced under her banner, Manju Warrier Productions.

In 2018, Manju appeared in the lead role in the Kamala Surayya biopic '' Aami''. Manjusha Radhakrishnan of Gulf News wrote in her review - "Warrier enters the frame much later, but seamlessly takes on the role of a woman on the cusp of a quarter-life crisis. The actress is in total command here. Surayya isn't an easy woman to play, but Warrier make her eccentricities alluring and charming." Manoj Kumar R of The Indian Express complimented Manju delivered a 'knockout performance' - "It is, indeed, impressive to watch Manju Warrier play the role of a conflicted woman. Her conviction in the performance is what keeps our attention even when narration loses steam." Her next film for release was the musical-romantic-comedy drama Mohanlal in which she played a die-hard fan of Mohanlal.

Her next release was the much-hyped fantasy drama Odiyan, in which she appeared alongside Mohanlal and Prakash Raj sporting different looks throughout the movie. Odiyan earned the highest opening-day collection for a film at Kerala box office and for a Malayalam film at worldwide box office. Odiyan also registered the highest opening weekend (14–16 December) collection for a Malayalam film at domestic and worldwide box office.

Her first release in 2019 was ''Lucifer'' directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran.

In 2019, she made her Tamil debut with Vetrimaaran's '' Asuran'' opposite Dhanush.In March 2021, Warrier began filming for ''Amriki Pandit'', her Hindi debut opposite R. Madhavan.In 2022, Manju reunited with Biju Menon through ''Lalitham Sundaram'' after a gap of 20 years.

Personal life

On 20 October 1998, Manju married actor Dileep at the Aluva Sri Krishna Temple. The couple have a daughter, Meenakshi. They filed for divorce in 2014 and it was granted in January 2015. Her autobiography ''Sallapam'' (Memories) was released in November 2014. Manju lives in Thrissur, Kerala.

She is one of the founding members of Women in Cinema Collective, the organisation for the welfare of women workers in the Malayalam film industry, although she is not an active member anymore. She was the only female actor in Kerala having a fans association and wellwishers in International level known as Manju Warrier Fans and Welfare Association International.

In the media

In a question put up in the official Facebook page of Women in Cinema Collective, 'Who is the most influential female artist in cinema?', Manju Warrier led the poll. She was featured on a list of women superstars in South Indian cinema by The News Minute and top South Indian actresses by InUth. Her characters appear on many lists featuring strong women characters in Indian Cinema.

Manju Warrier is also a professional Kuchipudi dancer, having learnt the art from Geetha Padmakumar. She actively performs in many classical dance programs and plays. Her return to stage at Guruvayur as part of the Navaratri dance festival was received with much fanfare. "I was expecting a few people, if at all; only those who would be at Guruvayoor that day. God made me very happy that day. I am grateful to him," she said to ''The Hindu''.

Manju Warrier is also known for her initiatives towards various social causes. She gave the inaugural speech at the National Women's Talk Festival organised by Soorya in Thiruvananthapuram on 1 January 2018. "I don't see any reason to glorify my involvement in social issues. There are a lot of people who do a lot more for society outside the limelight. Since I am known to the public, even the smallest of my deeds are projected in a big way," she said.

Apart from films, she also acts in television commercials and is a brand ambassador of Lasagu Coaching App, Kalyan Jewellers, Sony India, Meriiboy Ice Cream, Dhathri, Kitchen Treasures, ALIFF Brand Ambassador - Cinema for Women, Samsung, Ujala, Zee Keralam and myG. She has also worked as a goodwill ambassador for public awareness projects for government and private organisations, such as She - Taxi, Kudumbasree's Organic Farming, Naipunnya development program, the Kerala State Electricity Board, Pink Patrolling, Horticorp (Kerala State Horticultural Products and Development Corporation), Malayala Manorama - Kerala Can-Cancer awareness mission.

Filmography

As actress

As producer

Television

Discography

Awards and nominations

Notes

References

External links

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Warrier, Manju
1978 births
Living people
20th-century Indian actresses
21st-century Indian actresses
Actresses from Kerala
Actresses from Tamil Nadu
Actresses from Thrissur
Actresses in Malayalam cinema
Filmfare Awards South winners
Indian film actresses
Kerala State Film Award winners
People from Nagercoil
Actresses in Tamil cinema
Actresses in Malayalam television
Special Mention (feature film) National Film Award winners
People from Kanyakumari district
Malayali people