The life of Manju Warrier is marked by several twists and turns. A dancer, an actor and a philanthropist, she has been donning several roles in her life since her return to Malayalam film industry after a gap of 14 years.
Now, Manju believes she is a changed person in her second stint because of the exposure to the world she has received. “I started acting in my teens. I was too young to think seriously about making a difference utilising a little bit of my time, effort and earnings. Now, in this second phase, I am more experienced and I realise all of us are committed to give back to society what we received.”
One of the major acts of benevolence from her part was her decision to build homes for four poor dance students. She is also supporting eight students with monthly stipends. The construction of the first house, for M.P. Athira from Perinthalmanna, was completed recently.
“It was not planned. Initially, I wanted to support one deserving participant from the State Youth Festival. But when I faced a situation where I had to make a choice, I couldn’t stop with one student. The number went up to five, ten and finally, twelve. I discussed with the kids and their families to know what they needed. Then I came to know that four of them were homeless. The decision to build them houses was an instant one. I see it as my duty towards dance and to my parents whose sacrifices made me who I am. I think all of us should contribute to society according to our abilities,” she says.
Her goodwill act was not only limited to arts alone. When she read news report about a tepid response for Tintu Luka after winning an international meet, she visited P.T. Usha School of Athletics and promised to do a dance programme to raise funds. “I realised that she was training talents from poor or middle class families. It was then I decided to do a dance performance. I feel that we owe a lot to Usha who has dedicated her life to serve the nation.”
She believes that her latest film Rani Padmini was a special movie in her career because it combined both her favourite passions — acting and travelling. “Rani Padmini was my first movie in the travel genre and in that sense, it is special. I could also travel with the best team which made my experience fascinating and magical. We went to a valley near the Himalayas. It instills a sense of calm beauty in you; the sheer magnitude of the mountains and the intense beauty fills you with a sense of pride as an Indian. All of us should visit Himalayas at least once in our lifetime. Most of the travellers we met there were foreigners. There were very few Indians and no Malayalis at all. In the movie, even though Rani and Padmini travel to the Himalayas for different purposes, their woes and worries melt in the lap of the snowy mountain,” the actor muses.
In her second stint, most of her roles are women-centric and Manju, though enjoying it, is also looking forward to a role opposite to an equally prominent lead in a film. “I am lucky that as an actor I have been able to positively influence the audience. I have received thousands of messages after How Old Are You that lives have changed for the better. I was touched when a lady ran to me at the Kochi airport to tell me that she has started her dance classes again after a long hiatus. I thank Roshan Andrews, Listin Stephen and Bobby-Sanjay for the high-impact role,” she said.
“I’m blessed for the reception from the industry and movie lovers. I understand my responsibility towards the audience and try to select roles to their liking,” Manju explains.
However, Manju denies there’s a new wave in cinema. “I don’t understand the term new generation wave. Malayalam cinema has always been experimenting; the competition is also the same. The only difference is the number of films coming out every year, which is three-four times more as compared to earlier,” she says.
Though she has her platter full because of movies, Manju has ample time for her dance as well. “Currently, I am being trained under Gita Padmakumar. I’m trying to learn about the divine and traditional aspect of Kuchipudi. One cannot fathom the depths of dance at one go, it takes a lifetime to practice and perfect the divine art,” she sums up.
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