“It felt like winning a double jackpot!” exclaimed Manju Warrier, a feeling she vividly described when recounting her experience of being cast in the much-anticipated film ‘Vettaiyan.’ The film, which stars the legendary Rajinikanth and is directed by TG Gnanavel, of ‘Jai Bhim’ fame, promises to be a cinematic spectacle, blending the might of superstar Rajinikanth with the directorial finesse of Gnanavel.
In a candid phone interview from her hometown of Kochi, Manju Warrier, a celebrated figure in Malayalam cinema, shared her initial reaction upon receiving the offer for ‘Vettaiyan.’ “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,” she expressed enthusiastically, indicating her admiration for Gnanavel’s critical acclaim and proficiency in storytelling.
The ‘Vettaiyan’ film set has become a hub for eminent actors, featuring an ensemble cast including Amitabh Bachchan, Fahadh Faasil, Rana Daggubati, Ritika Singh, and Thushara Vijayan. Manju herself takes on the pivotal role of Thara, who is Rajinikanth’s character’s wife in the film. Recalling her first day on set with ‘Thalaivar,’ as Rajinikanth is affectionately known, she admitted to feeling nervous. “I was nervous before the shot, but the shoot went off well. After I finished the sequence and looked at the monitor a realization hit me… I just did a shot with Superstar Rajinikanth. It was a surreal moment.”
The film’s musical element has already captivated audiences, particularly with the release of the high-energy dance number, ‘Manasilaayo.’ The song features Manju Warrier alongside Rajinikanth and music composer Anirudh, and has quickly gone viral on social media platforms, with the lyric video crossing an impressive 45 million views. “It was when I saw the Reels on Instagram that I realized it is all happening,” she remarked about the social media frenzy. Manju attributed her dynamic on-screen presence to the meticulous work of her stylist and friend Liji Preman and the team of ‘Vettaiyan.’
When asked about the synergy between Gnanavel’s artistic vision and Rajinikanth’s larger-than-life persona, Manju remained optimistic, stating, “I am looking forward to see a Rajinikanth film with Gnanavel’s signature.
. They are poles apart but I expect to see a beautiful fusion.” This sentiment reflects a shared anticipation among fans eager to see how Gnanavel’s storytelling approach complements Rajinikanth’s enduring star power.
Regarding concerns about being overshadowed by Rajinikanth’s towering presence, Manju expressed confidence in Gnanavel’s direction. “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.”
Delving deeper into her impressions of Rajinikanth, Manju spoke highly of his energy and charismatic aura. “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 said, pointing out his genuine interest and engagement.
‘Vettaiyan’ marks Manju’s third foray into Tamil cinema, following her performances in ‘Asuran’ with Dhanush and ‘Thunivu’ starring Ajith. Despite her limited appearances in Tamil films, she emphasized her pursuit of roles that offer substantial character depth. “I want to do solid characters and when I wait for that, it takes time,” she said, underscoring her commitment to qualitative roles over quantitative ones.
As the release date of ‘Vettaiyan’ fast approaches, Manju is equally thrilled about her upcoming projects: ‘Mr X’ with Arya and Gautham Karthik, and Vetrimaaran’s ‘Viduthalai 2’ featuring Vijay Sethupathi. Reflecting on her cinematic journey, Manju, who made a notable comeback in 2014 with ‘How Old Are You?’ after a 14-year hiatus, has firmly established herself as a formidable presence in the industry, both in films and endorsements. However, she dismisses the ‘lady superstar’ tag that has followed her rise to fame. “I genuinely do not want to be called that!” she emphasized, choosing to let her work speak for her legacy as ‘Vettaiyan’ gears up for its theatrical release on October 10.
