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Photo: C. Ratheesh Kumar

Vivacious Manju Pillai: ‘Being selected for an Adoor film is a recognition in itself’

Manju gave the performance of her lifetime in the latest Adoor Gopalakrishnan film, ‘Naalu Pennungal.’ For the versatile actor, it has been a long and arduous journey to this triumphant moment.

“Being selected for an Adoor film is a recognition in itself; having performed it to his satisfaction equals an award for lifetime achievement,” says Manju, the proud protagonist of ‘Chinnuvamma.’

“Chinnuvamma is naive but decisive at crucial moments. She represents goodness, integrity and commitment. She is desperate for a child but decides not to two-time her husband. And then years later, she is shown narrating the incident with her characteristic sarcasm,” explains Manju.

“It is perhaps the first high of my film career. I have done interesting work in ‘Erattakuttikalude Achan,’ ‘Mazhayethum Munpe,’ ‘Raavana Prabhu’ and so on. But until Chinnuvamma came along, there has not been a performance oriented role that I can single out and say ‘This is my best,”’ she adds.

But television has been generous to Manju. ‘Indumukhi Chandramathi,’ ‘Sathi Leelavathi,’ ‘Life is Beautiful,’ ‘Thaali,’ ‘Thathamme Poocha Poocha,’ ‘Soorya Kanthi’ – all revealed different facets of the actor.

“Why should I take up silly, unimportant roles in cinema when I get to play good roles in television? Acting is all the sam;, recognition and remuneration are almost equal, then what’s the point in doing trivial roles in cinema? So, I usually steer clear of stereotypical roles these days. I will work in films only if something interesting comes my way. It does not matter if it is serious, negative or comic,” she asserts.

Perhaps Manju’s acting skill lies in her genes.

“I am not a trained actor and I never got an opportunity to learn or discuss acting with my maternal grandfather, S.P. Pillai. So, I think, it is the chromosomes that do the job. Or it is some kind of a blessing,” she says.

One cannot claim all the credit for a performance, especially when it comes to comedy, feels Manju.

“You need a sensitive, observant co-star for working out good comedy. He or she should be like a sounding board. Their sensibilities and experiences bring in a different energy and rhythm, sometimes resulting in something more hilarious than what is written in the script. Mini Chechi (Kalpana) is an example. She knows the way to people’s hearts, both onscreen and off screen.”

But for Manju, off-screen vibrancy is reserved for close friends and family.

“You know, people expect a lot from comedians. They are expected to make humourous observations, come up with puns and sarcasm during conversations, and the worst of all, you are expected to crack jokes every five minutes.

“When people call me for public gatherings, I go there as Manju Pillai, not as Indumukhi or Kumudam. Earlier, I used to find it tough, now I am slowly getting used to it.”

All said and done, the bubbly actor has won a place in our hearts, as the girl next door with a dash of humour.

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