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. 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).

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 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.Then she acted in the films '' Daya'', and '' Pathram''.Her last film before she took a sabbatical was '' Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu''.

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. She recently published a book titled ''Sallapam''.

She made her return to cinema with Rosshan Andrrews's ''How Old Are You'' in 2014.

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''. Her next film for release was the musical-romantic-comedy drama Mohanlal - a Malayalam film, in which she played a die-hard fan of Mohanlal.

Her next release was the much-hyped fantasy drama Odiyan.

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.

In the media

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.

Apart from films, she also acts in television commercials and is a brand ambassador of Lasagu Coaching App, Kalyan Jewellers, Sony India.

Filmography

As actress

* All films are in Malayalam language unless otherwise noted.

As voice actor

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