Manju Pillai is an Indian actress known for her comedic roles in Malayalam films and television shows. She is the granddaughter of veteran Malayalam film actor SP Pillai and won the Kerala State Television Award for Best Supporting Actress two years in a row (2001 and 2002).
Wiki/Biography
Manju Pillai was born on Sunday, May 11, 1975, in Kottayam, Kerala, India (48 years old; as of 2023). Her zodiac sign is Taurus. She attended St. Goretti Convent School in Naranjila. After completing her schooling, she went to Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to pursue her BA in Economics. When Manju Pillai was a child, her family moved to Thiruvananthapuram from Ettumanoor in Kerala.
Childhood photos of Manju Pillai with her parents
She started her professional acting training by joining Suryakrishnamoorthy’s ‘Light and Sound Stage Show’ while studying in class ten.
Manju Pillai in 10th grade
appearance
Height (approximately): 5′6″
Hair color: black
Eye color: black
family
Parents and siblings
Her father’s name is NK Narayana Pillai and mother’s name is Saraswathy Amma. She has a sister.
Manju Pillai and her parents
Manju Pillai and her sister
husband and children
Manju Pillai was earlier married to Malayalam film actor Mukundan Menon. Later, however, the couple divorced.
Photos of Mukundan Menon
On December 23, 2000, Manju Pillai married the famous Malayalam film director Sujith Vaassudev.
Manju Pillai and Sujith Vaassudev
Manju Pillai and Sujith Vaassudev have a daughter named Daya Sujith, who is a model.
Manju Pillai and her daughter
other relatives
Her grandfather SP Pillai was a famous Malayalam actor.
SP Pillai’s photo
Profession
Movie
Manju Pillai made her acting debut in 1991 with the TV series Tathamme Poocha Poocha. She made her film debut in 1992 with Sabarimalayil Thanka Suryodayam. She has since acted in over 50 feature films, some of her notable films include Mazhayethum Munpe (1995) as Anjana, Ayushman Bhava (1998) as a dance teacher, Adoor Gopalakrishnan Gopalakrishnan’s “Naalu Pennungal” (2007) as Chinnu Amma, “Love 24×7” (2015) as Jessica Moses and “Kolaambi” (2021) as a lawyer. In 2007, Manju Pillai played a major role in Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s drama Naalu Pennungal. In 2010, she starred in the Tamil film “Manmadhan Ambu” with Kamal Haasan, playing the role of Manju Kurup.
Poster of the movie “Manmadan Anbu”
She gained widespread recognition from the film industry for her role as Kuttiamma’s mother in the 2021 movie “Home” released on Amazon Prime Video.
Manju Pillai on the movie “Home” (2021) poster
Later, she starred in the movies “The Teacher” in 2023, playing the role of Kalyani, and “Oh My Darling”, playing the role of Meritta. In the same year, she starred in the film Falimy (available on Disney+ Hotstar).
Manju Pillai on the poster of the movie Falimy (2023)
television
She made her television debut with the serial “Sathyavum Mithyayum”, which was aired on the Doordarshan Malayalam channel and made her familiar to the Malayalam television audience. She then started appearing in many television serials on different channels such as DD Malayalam’s “Seemanthanam” (1995), Surya TV’s “Thali” (2000) as Hema, Chila Kudumba Chitrangal in Kairali (2002) as Sulochana Vishwanathan (Sulu) Television, Kavyanjali (2004) played Pavizham in Surya TV, Nirmalyam (2008) played Sethulakshmi in Asianet, “Thatteem Mutteem” (2012-2023) played Mohanavally in Mazhavil Manorama, Madhavi Naadu Vaanidum Kalam (2021) Starring as Madhavi in Kaumudy TV.
Poster of TV series Madhavi Naadu Vaanidum Kalam (2021)
reality show
In 2010, Manju Pillai began appearing in various reality TV shows as a judge, host and contestant. Some of these reality shows include “Kinginikoottam” (2013) on Asianet Plus as a host, “D3 – D 4 Dance” (2016) on Surya TV as a mentor, “Super” on Flowers TV as a judge Dupe 2” (2018), “Udan Panam 3.0” (2021) as a contestant in Mazhavil Manorama, and “Panam Tharum Padam” as a contestant in Mazhavil Manorama.
Manju Pillai plays host in reality show
TV advertisement
Manju Pillai has appeared in numerous TV commercials such as Mazhavil Manorama, Mazhavil FM, Samson & Samson Lifestyle, Maa Washing Powder, Mahilaratnam Magazine and Asian Paints Ultima Protek.
Manju Pillai (wearing red kurta) in “Samson & Samson Lifestyle” advertising stills
music video
In 2020, she starred in a special video titled “My Life My Choice” alongside his daughter Daya.
Manju Pillai stills from the video “My Life My Choice”
web series
In 2020, she played the role of Aunt Manju in the web series “Brothers of Lockdown”. The following year, she played Jessy’s sister in the web drama “Ohm Sthuthiyayi Erikatte”.
Manju Pillai appears on the poster of web series ‘Ohm Sthuthiyayirikatte’
talk show
Manju Pillai has appeared in many television and radio talk shows. Some of the programs include Annie’s Kitchen, Manorama Newsmaker, Morning Guest, Radio Mango, Tamasha Bazar, Morning Reporter and Hello My Dear Wrong Number (Radio).
Manju Pillai (left) live talk show stills
Awards
- In 2000-2001, Manju Pillai won the National Television Award for Best Supporting Actress for her roles in the serials “Devaranjini” and “Sethuvinte Kathakal”.
- In 2002, she won the National Television Award for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the TV series Sundaranmaarum Sundarikalum.
- In 2002-2003, she won the Television Award for Best Actress for her performance in Ali Akbar’s TV series Sundarikalum Sundarimaarum.
- In 2009, she won the FRAME News Award for Best Comedy Actor.
- In 2017, Manju Pillai won the Flower TV Award for Best Comedian.
- In 2017, she won the “Good Rider Film and Business Award”.
- She is the winner of the Janmabhoomi Television Award for Best Female Comedian.
- In 2021, she won the Journalist Television Award for Best Supporting Actress for the movie “Home”.
- In 2022, she won the Kerala Film Critics Association Award for Best Actress.
Manju Pillai poses with her award
car collection
Manju Pillai owns a Tata Safari Gold.
Manju Pillai and her Tata Safari Gold
tattoo
- Manju Pillai has her daughter’s photo tattooed on her left forearm and says it is the best gift she has ever received.
Manju Pillai tattoo on left forearm
Facts/Trivia
- In a media talk, Manju Pillai once mentioned that she loves traveling. She said her favorite travel destinations include the United Arab Emirates, Europe and Singapore, but Venice holds a special place in her heart. she says,
Travel helps us visit new places and enjoy unique experiences. One aspect that attracts me to Europe, the US, the UAE and Singapore is the strict observance of traffic rules. In Venice, there are buildings everywhere. Even so, the place still has a special charm. “
Manju Pillai enjoy traveling with family
- Manju Pillai is known for her beauty and fashion sense and she often walks for various fashion designers.
Manju Pillai while walking on the ramp
- She is an avid dog lover. She often uploads photos of her pets on various social media platforms.
Manju Pillai poses with her pet dog
- In an interview with the media, Manju Pillai had revealed that she had to smoke eight cigarettes to play the role of Kalyani in the film Teacher. she says,
My lungs are like sponges. I had to smoke eight cigarettes for this movie. Vivek insists that action is not enough, one also needs to actually smoke a cigarette. This is how I pull it once and carry it. The method was then studied and revised. Smoking a lot for practice and batting. “
Manju Pillai in the stills of the movie “Teacher”
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education