Manju Warrier

Manju Warrier
Warrier in 2018
Born (1978-09-10) 10 September 1978
Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district, Tamil Nadu, India
Residence Pullu, Kerala, India
Alma mater Kannur University
Occupation
  • Film actress
  • dancer
Years active 1995–1999; 2014–present
Spouse(s)
Dileep
(m. 1998; div. 2015)
Children Meenakshi[1]
Relatives Madhu Warrier (brother)

Manju Warrier (pronounced: Manju Vāryar; born 10 September 1978) is an Indian film actress and dancer in the Malayalam film industry.

She made her acting debut in Sakshyam (1995) at the age of 17. Her most well-known films are: Thooval Kottaram (1996), Sallapam (1996), Ee Puzhayum Kadannu (1996), Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu (1997), Pranayavarnangal (1998), Kanmadam (1998), Summer in Bethlehem (1998), Pathram (1999), Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu (1999), How Old Are You? (2014), and Udaharanam Sujatha (2017). Warrier won the National Film Award – Special Mention for her performance as Bhadra in Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu. She also won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actress for her performance as Anjali in Ee Puzhayum Kadannu, along with five Filmfare Awards for Best Actress, a record in that category.[2]

Warrier married actor Dileep in 1998 and stopped acting. In 2015, they divorced. She has since returned to cinema with the critically and commercially successful film How Old Are You?, which won her many accolades, notably her record setting fifth Filmfare Award for Best Actress - Malayalam.

Early life

Manju Warrier was born on 10 September 1979 in Nagercoil, Kanyakumari district of Tamil Nadu, India.[3][4] Her father, Madhavan Warrier, worked as an accountant with Sundaram Finance's Nagercoil regional office.[5] She did her primary schooling at 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. She secured 527/600 marks in SSLC, with a 98% score in Mathematics.[6] She later graduated with a degree from Sree Narayana College, Kannur through distance learning. She has an elder brother, Madhu Warrier, who is also an actor and producer.

Career

Early films (1995–99)

At school, Warrier was a talented dancer, and won many awards. She was conferred with the Kalathilakam in the Kerala Youth Festival for two years. She first appeared in a television serial Moharavam which was telecast on Doordarshan.[7]

In the first half of her on-screen career, Manju featured in 20 films over a three-year period with prominent directors and superstars producing a number of performances that earned her equal billing with the male superstars in Malayalam. At 1997 through the character Unnimaya in Mohanlal starer Aram Thamburan she became the Lady Super Star of Mollywood[8]

At the age of 17, she debuted in the film Sakshyam (1995).[9] 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 Bethlahem, Pranayavarnangal, Pathram and Kaliyattam with Suresh Gopi, and Irattakuttikalude Achan, 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. The film won three Kerala State Film Awards. 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 nominated at the National Film Awards but lost to Shabana Azmi. She was awarded the Special Mention (acting) for her performance.

Return (2012 - present)

On 24 October 2012, she performed Kuchipudi in the Guruvayur Sree Krishna Temple.[10][11][12] Later in July 2013, she acted in a commercial with Amitabh Bachchan. Her comeback announcement was greeted with much fanfare by fans and the media.[13][14] She later appeared in many advertisements for Kalyan Jewellers alongside Amitabh Bacchan, Aishwarya Rai, Akkineni Nagarjuna and Prabhu Ganesan. She recently published a book titled Sallapam.[15]

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 blockbuster hit in the Kerala box office.[16] She received numerous accolades and became the goodwill ambassador for many ventures related to organic farming, inspired by her film. Her next film was Sathyan Anthikad's Ennum Eppozhum which reunites her with Mohanlal after a gap of 17 years.[17] 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 as it faced strong competition from other movies like Ennu Ninte Moideen and Amar Akbar Anthony. She acted in Jo and the Boy, her last release of 2015, as an animator. Her first full-length role in 2016 was Rajesh Pillai's Vettah, a mind-game thriller, in which she appeared in the role of a police officer. This film was a success, and she received numerous awards for the role.[18] 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.[19] Her next film was Karinkunnam 6S, in which she played the character of Vandana, a volleyball coach which was also a hit movie. She also sang a song for cancer patients for the show she hosted Kerala Can(Manorama News), written by Ratheesh Vega.

Her first release in 2017 was C/O Saira Banu where she played a post woman. The film also marked the comeback of Amala Akkineni in Malayalam after more than two decades. Her performance won great critical acclaim and the movie was a moderate grosser.[20] On 28 September, her next film Udaharanam Sujatha released in Kerala. It received positive reviews from critics and a warm response audiences.[21] She received great praise for her portrayal of Sujatha, mother of a tenth class student and a person who does multiple jobs to ensure a good life for her daughter and it was superhit in boxoffice . Her next release in 2017 was Villain, an emotional thriller where she appears as Dr. Neelima, an independent, idealistic woman and wife of Mathew Manjooran played by Mohanlal. The film went on to set the record for the highest first day collections for a Malayalam film. It received mixed response from critics and a positive feedback from the audience. Directors N. Lingusamy, Mysskin, Pandiraj, Thiru, and Suseenthiran were all positive about the film, particularly praising the actors' performances and the production. Her next release was in 2018 and it was Aami a biopic movie , she portayed the title role it was a beloe average grosser in boxoffice . Her next release Mohanlal The movie was a superhit in boxoffice

She is one of the founding members of Women in Cinema Collective, the organization for the welfare of women workers in the Malayalam movie industry and she was the only female actor in kerala having fans association and wellwishers in International level known as Manju Warrier Fans and Welfare Association International.[22]

Forthcoming projects

Her forthcoming films include , V. A. Shrikumar Menon's Odiyan, Prithviraj Sukumaran's Lucifer, Venu's Gabriyelum Malaghamarum with Prithviraj Sukumaran, among others.

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.[23][24][25]

Filmography

Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes
1995 Sakshyam Smitha
1996 Sallapam Radha
Ee Puzhayum Kadannu Anjali
Dilliwala Rajakumaran Maya
Thooval Kottaram Devaprabha Varma
Kaliveedu Mridula
1997 Innalekalillaathe Beena
Kaliyattam Thaamara
Sammanam Devi
Aaraam Thampuran Unnimaya
Kudamattam Gowri
Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu Meenakshi
Irattakuttikalude Achan Anupama
1998 Thirakalkkappuram Seetha
Pranayavarnangal Aarathi
Daya Daya
Kanmadam Bhanumathi
Summer in Bethlehem Abhirami
1999 Pathram Devika Shekhar
Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu Bhadra
2014 How Old Are You Nirupama Rajeev comeback film
2015 Ennum Eppozhum Adv. Deepa Rajeev
Rani Padmini Padmini
Jo and the Boy Jo / Joan Mary John
2016 Girls N/A Voice-over
Paavada Babu's fiancée Cameo appearance
Vettah Commissioner Sribala IPS
Karinkunnam 6'S Vandana Aby
2017 C/O Saira Banu Saira Banu
Udaharanam Sujatha Sujatha Krishnan
Villain Dr. Neelima Mathew
2018 Aami Kamala Surayya
Mohanlal Meenukutty
Odiyandagger Prabha Post-production
2019 Luciferdagger TBA Filming
Jack and Jilldagger TBA Pre-production

Playback singing

SongFilm/AlbumYearCo-SingersLyricsComposer
"Govardhana Gireesham"Aaram Thampuran1997-Muthuswami Dikshitar (traditional)Traditional, Raveendran (for the film)[26]
"Vezhambal Mamazha"Chingapoovu (album)-MohanlalBichu ThirumalaBerny-Ignatius[27]
"Pakal Kinakkal"Chingapoovu (album)-SoloBichu ThirumalaBerny-Ignatius[28]
"Chembazhukka"Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu1999Dr. K. J. Yesudas, Kalabhavan ManiKavalam Narayana PanickerM. G. Radhakrishnan
"Do do do"Jo and the Boy2015Sanoop SanthoshSanthosh VarmaRahul Subramanian
"Swanthana Geetham"Kerala Can (show) Manorama News2016ChorusHarinarayananRatheesh Vega

Television

Serials
  • Moharavam (Doordarshan)
Talk Show

The song sung by Manju Warrier during the program, which was written by Ratheesh Vega, was highly praised.

  • Cuba Mukundan (Flowers tv) - Host

Bibliography

Her autobiography Sallapam (Memories) was released in November 2014.[29]

In the media

In a question put up in the official Facebook page of Women in Cinema Collective, 'Who is the most influential female artiste in cinema?', Manju Warrier led the poll. [30] She was featured on a list of women superstars in South Indian cinema by The News Minute[31] and top South Indian actresses by InUth.[32] Her characters appear on many lists featuring strong women characters in Indian Cinema. [33][34][35][36][37]

Manju Warrier is also a professional Kuchipudi dancer, having learnt the art from Geetha Padmakumar.[38] She actively performs in many classical dance programs and plays. Her return to stage at Guruvayoor as part of the Navaratri dance festival was received with much fanfare. Directors Ranjith and Sathyan Anthikkad graced the occasion. "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.[39] She is considered one of the best spoken actresses in South India. Her opinions at the India Today South Conclave were well-received. Speaking at the event, she described what her opinion was about beauty and about the North-South divide. She described universal beauty as "beauty that comes from character and self-respect, self-belief or beauty that comes from having ideals and principles".[40]

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.[41] Apart from films, she also acts in television commercials and is a brand ambassador of Kalyan Jewellers, Sony India,[42][43] Meriiboy Ice Cream, Dhathri, Kitchen Treasures, ALIFF Brand Ambassador - Cinema for Women, Samsung, and Ujala. 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.

Awards and nominations

Won

National Film Awards
Kerala State Film Awards
Filmfare Awards South
Manorama Newsmaker
  • Newsmaker of the Year - 2014, Won
Mother Teresa Charitable trust
  • Karmasreshta Puraskaram - 2018
M. S. Subbulakshmi Foundation Award[44]
Vanitha Film Awards
Asiavision Awards
Kerala Film Critics Association Awards
Asianet Film Awards
  • Best Actress - 1998 - Kanmadam
  • Best Actress - 1999 - Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu, Pathram
  • Best Actress - 2014 - How Old Are You?
  • Best actress - 2016 - Vettah, Karinkunnam 6S.
Janmabhumi Awards
Mangalam Film Awards
  • Best Actress - 2014 - How Old Are You?[47]
Film Fans Awards
South Indian International Movie Awards
  • Best Actress - Malayalam - 2014 - How Old Are You?[48]
Prem Nazir Award
  • Prem Nazir Award - 2016
Screen - Videocon Awards
Anand TV Awards
  • Best Actress - 2017 - Vettah, Karinkunnam 6s
NAFA Awards
Kerala Sangeetha Nataka Akademi
  • Kalashree Award
Kalabharathi Foundation
  • Nrutha Sree Award
Kattal Puraskaram
  • Kattal Puraskaram - 2017[51]
Kerala Kalamandalam
  • M K K Nair Award - 2017
Yuva Awards
  • 2017 - Yuva Outstanding Personality
Flowers Indian Film Awards

Nominations

Filmfare Awards South
IIFA Utsavam
  • Nominated - Performance in a Leading Role - Female - Malayalam - 2015 - Ennum Eppozhum
  • Nominated - Performance in a Leading Role - Female - Malayalam - 2016 - Vettah
Siima
  • Nominated - Best Actress - Malayalam - 2016 - Vettah
Asianet Film Awards
Asianet Comedy Awards
Manorama Newsmaker
  • Newsmaker of the Year - 2013, Top 10, Nominated

References

  1. ↑ "More than anyone, I know how much Meenakshi loves her father: Manju Warrier - Times of India". The Times of India. Times of India. 30 July 2014. Archived from the original on 9 May 2018. Retrieved 9 May 2018.
  2. ↑ "Rahman bags 12th Filmfare award". Pvv.ntnu.no. Archived from the original on 20 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2013.
  3. ↑ N. M., Lakshmi (2 July 2018). "Manju Warrier is not a Keralite by birth, 8 unknown facts about the actress". Asianet News. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  4. ↑ Moviebuzz. "Thank You. But it's not my birthday today:Manju Warrier". Sify. Archived from the original on 1 May 2018. Retrieved 1 May 2018.
  5. ↑ "Manju embraces the pen, with élan". Malayala Manorama. 4 October 2013.
  6. ↑ "Manju Warrier reveals why she supported Dileep starrer Ramaleela". Asianet News Network Pvt Ltd. Asianet News. 15 October 2017. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  7. ↑ "പ്രവീണയും സിനിമയും പിന്നെ ബിസിനസ് ഉം". mangalamvarika.com. Archived from the original on 18 November 2015. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
  8. ↑ "How Manju Warrier's career graph shows there is no expiry date on the actor's potential". 30 July 2016. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017.
  9. ↑ "Sakshyam IMDB Page". Archived from the original on 8 February 2017. Retrieved 6 May 2010.
  10. ↑ "Manju Warrier back on stage after 14 years, The Hindu". Archived from the original on 3 December 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  11. ↑ "Manju Warrier 'stages' a comeback, The New Indian Express". Archived from the original on 28 May 2013. Retrieved 25 October 2012.
  12. ↑ "Return of the star dancer, Manoramaonline". Retrieved 2012-10-25.
  13. ↑ "മഞ്ജു വാര്യര് ക്യാമറക്കുമുന്നില് തിരിച്ചെത്തി". The Indian Reader. Archived from the original on 19 July 2013. Retrieved 2013-07-15.
  14. ↑ "മലയാള സിനിമാ ആസ്വാദകര് ക്ക് ഇനി ആശ്വാസ നെടുവീര് പ്പിടാം, മഞ്ചു വാര്യരുടെ രണ്ടാമൂഴത്തിന് തുടക്കമായി". The Indian Reader. Retrieved 2013-07-16.
  15. ↑ "Manju's 'Sallapam'". The New Indian Express. 5 October 2013. Archived from the original on 21 August 2016. Retrieved 21 August 2016.
  16. ↑ C, Sharika (18 May 2014). "Return of the heroine". Archived from the original on 4 July 2014 – via www.thehindu.com.
  17. ↑ "Ennum Eppozhum (aka) Enum Epozhum review". www.behindwoods.com. Archived from the original on 11 July 2017.
  18. ↑ "'Vettah': Redefining crime drama". Archived from the original on 1 July 2017.
  19. ↑ Nampoothiri, Hareesh N. (21 July 2016). "The eternal charm of Shakuntalam". Archived from the original on 21 December 2016 – via www.thehindu.com.
  20. ↑ "C/O Saira Banu movie review: You won't regret watching this Manju Warrier film". 18 March 2017. Archived from the original on 12 June 2017.
  21. ↑ "Udaharanam Sujatha review: conjuring up emotional intensity". Archived from the original on 3 January 2018.
  22. ↑ "Kerala's Women in Cinema Collective registers as society, to fight for gender parity". The News Minute. 2 November 2017. Archived from the original on 2 November 2017. Retrieved 14 January 2018.
  23. ↑ "I am living for my daughter: says Dileep". The Times of India. Archived from the original on 8 September 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  24. ↑ "Dileep, Manju Warrier Parting Ways? Couple Files Divorce Petition in Court". International Business Times, India Edition. 19 February 2014. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 9 February 2016.
  25. ↑ "Manju Warrier to move court for custody of daughter Meenakshi". OnManorama. Manorama News Online. 11 July 2017. Archived from the original on 29 December 2017. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
  26. ↑ "List of Malayalam Songs sung by Manju Warrier". www.malayalachalachithram.com. Archived from the original on 28 July 2017.
  27. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 July 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  28. ↑ "Pakal Kinakkal (Full Song) - Manju Warrier - Download or Listen Free - Saavn". 12 March 2013. Archived from the original on 29 July 2017.
  29. ↑ "Manju Warrier releases her book Sallapam". the newsminute.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 2 July 2018.
  30. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  31. ↑ "A league of their own: The women superstars we love down south". 4 August 2016. Archived from the original on 24 October 2017.
  32. ↑ "Anushka Shetty, Nayanthara and more: Top 5 stunning South Indian actresses who can give their Bollywood peers a run for their money". 7 May 2017. Archived from the original on 13 May 2017.
  33. ↑ https://in.bookmyshow.com/entertainment/10-times-women-in-south-indian-cinema-wowed-us/107618
  34. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  35. ↑ https://www.scoopwhoop.com/powerful-female-characters-malayalam-films/#.i2y8qhuk6 Archived 28 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine.
  36. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 6 June 2017. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  37. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 28 May 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  38. ↑ G. S. Paul (13 May 2016). "For the joy of dance". The Hindu. Thiruvananthapuram. Archived from the original on 7 April 2014. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  39. ↑ Shilpa Nair Anand (18 January 2013). "Queen of HEARTS". The Hindu. Archived from the original on 2 September 2013. Retrieved 20 April 2018.
  40. ↑ Charu Thakur (9 January 2017). "Tamannaah at India Today Conclave: I don't think there is any obsession with fairness down South". India Today. New Delhi. Archived from the original on 21 December 2017. Retrieved 19 April 2018.
  41. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  42. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  43. ↑ "Celebrate this Onam with Sony • FWD Business". 31 July 2017. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017.
  44. ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 July 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2018.
  45. ↑ "കമ്മട്ടിപ്പാടം മികച്ച സിനിമ; ലാല്‍ നടന്‍, മഞ്ജു നടി". 10 May 2017. Archived from the original on 10 May 2017.
  46. ↑ "താരങ്ങള്‍ പെയ്തിറങ്ങി; അക്ഷര നഗരിക്ക് ആഘോഷരാവ്". 28 May 2017. Archived from the original on 1 July 2017.
  47. ↑ "Mangalam film awards announced". onlookersmedia.in. Archived from the original on 21 May 2018.
  48. ↑ 4th South Indian International Movie Awards
  49. ↑ "Nivin Pauly, Manju Warrier best actors at NAFA - Times of India". Archived from the original on 16 February 2017.
  50. ↑ "NAFA 2018: Dulquer Salmaan, Manju Warrier, Fahadh Faasil & Parvathy Bag The Top Honours!". Filmibeat.com. 10 February 2018. Retrieved 25 February 2018.
  51. ↑ "Manju Warrier Fans & Welfare Association International". m.facebook.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2018.
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