“It felt like winning a double jackpot!” This is how acclaimed Malayalam actress Manju Warrier describes her excitement about joining the cast of the highly anticipated film Vettaiyan, where she will act alongside Superstar Rajinikanth. The film is directed by TJ Gnanavel, known for his critically acclaimed film Jai Bhim. In an exclusive conversation over the phone from her residence in Kochi, Manju shares her exhilarating journey and expectations for the movie.
The offer to work on Vettaiyan came as a pleasant surprise to Manju Warrier, who initially agreed to the project without knowing that Rajinikanth would be part of it. “When the offer came from Gnanavel sir’s side, I didn’t even know that Rajini sir was in the movie. The fact that I was getting a chance to work with Gnanavel sir was enough for me to say yes,” the Malayalam star reveals with enthusiasm. Her immense joy was subsequently amplified upon learning that she would be acting opposite Rajinikanth, a realisation that she described as more than a dream-come-true moment, as she had never even dared to dream of acting with him.
Manju portrays Thara, the wife of Rajinikanth’s character in the film, which boasts an impressive ensemble cast featuring stalwarts such as Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Ritika Singh, and Thushara Vijayan. Recalling her first on-screen encounter with Rajinikanth, she admits to feeling a rush of nerves but describes the actual shoot as a surreal experience, reflecting, “I was nervous before the shot but the shoot went off well. After I finished the sequence and looked at the monitor, a realisation hit me… I just did a shot with Superstar Rajinikanth.”
The highlight of her experience was shooting the electrifying dance number, ‘Manasilaayo,’ which has taken social media by storm. Paired with music by Anirudh Ravichander, Manju’s captivating look and energetic dance moves, expertly choreographed by Dinesh, have captured the imagination of fans all over. “Even though the team said that I needn’t rehearse, I insisted on doing it. I didn’t want to make any mistakes on the day of the shoot and delay the proceedings,” she acknowledges.
‘Manasilaayo’ has quickly become a viral sensation, with Manju’s look and style becoming the talk of the town. The song has accumulated over 45 million views on its lyric video on YouTube and sparked a trend on Instagram, boasting over 400k reels featuring the track.
. Among the contributors to her stylish appearance in the music video, Manju credits her friend-cum-stylist Liji Preman and the dedicated team of Vettaiyan for pulling her look together, including the red sari, elaborately embroidered blouse, and signature sunglasses.
When asked about how Gnanavel’s directorial signature might merge with Rajinikanth’s colossal screen presence, Manju expresses keen anticipation: “I am looking forward to see a Rajinikanth film with Gnanavel’s signature. I haven’t seen the full movie so I can’t say more about that. They are poles apart but I expect to see a beautiful fusion,” she states confidently.
On the topic of potentially being overshadowed by the larger-than-life Rajinikanth, she expresses her trust in the visionary director: “Not really because I trusted the director. Of course, the audience, which includes me, has certain expectations from a Rajinikanth movie. It is here that the sensibility of someone like Gnanavel sir comes in. I strongly believe that he has given due importance and space to all characters in the film.”
Manju Warrier holds Rajinikanth in high regard, praising his youthful energy and engaging persona. “Age is just a number in his case. His energy and the way he interacts with everyone touches you. I was surprised when he started talking about my films and my bike rides,” she added.
Vettaiyan represents Manju’s third foray into Tamil cinema, following her roles in Asuran with Dhanush and Thunivu with Ajith. When questioned about her sporadic appearances in Tamil films, she attributes it to her preference for strong, substantial roles: “I want to do solid characters and when I wait for that, it takes time,” she shares.
For Manju, there are scant differences in filmmaking between the Malayalam and Tamil industries, aside from the lengthy schedules in Tamil cinema. While comfortable with the Tamil language, she candidly admits to not being as fluent as she is in her native Malayalam. Looking ahead, the talented actress eagerly anticipates her upcoming projects, including “Mr X” featuring Arya and Gautham Karthik, and Vetrimaaran’s “Viduthalai 2” with Vijay Sethupathi.
Since relaunching her career in 2014, the 46-year-old has become one of the highest-paid actresses in Malayalam cinema, renowned for her style and dynamic personality. Despite being hailed as a “lady superstar,” Manju humbly refutes the label, emphasizing, “I genuinely do not want to be called that!”
Vettaiyan is set to captivate audiences upon its theatrical release on October 10, showcasing the unique blend of Gnanavel’s direction and Rajinikanth’s cinematic magnetism.
