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Manju Pillai is an Indian actress who is known for her comedic roles in Malayalam films and television shows. She is the granddaughter of veteran Malayalam film actor S. P. Pillai and has received the Kerala State Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in two consecutive years (2001 and 2002).
Wiki/Biography
Manju Pillai was born on Sunday, 11 May 1975 (age 48 years; as of 2023) in Kottayam, Kerala, India. Her zodiac sign is Taurus. She did her schooling at St. Goretti Convent School, Nalanjira. After completing her school education, she went to Mar Ivanios College in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in Arts in Economics. Manju Pillai’s family relocated from Ettumanoor, Kerala, to Thiruvananthapuram when she was a child.
A childhood picture of Manju Pillai with her father and mother
During her tenth-grade studies, she started her professional acting training by joining Suryakrishnamoorthy’s ‘Light & Sound Stage Show.’
Manju Pillai when she was studying in tenth grade
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 6″
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
Her father’s name is NK Narayana Pillai, and her mother’s name is Saraswathy Amma. She has a sister.
Manju Pillai with her parents
Manju Pillai with her sister
Husband & Children
Manju Pillai was earlier married to Mukundan Menon, a Malayalam film actor; however, later, the couple got divorced.
A picture of Mukundan Menon
On 23 December 2000, Manju Pillai married Sujith Vaassudev, a noted Malayalam film director.
Manju Pillai with Sujith Vaassudev
Manju Pillai and Sujith Vaassudev have a daughter named Daya Sujith, who is a model.
Manju Pillai with her daughter
Other Relatives
Her grandfather, S. P. Pillai, was a renowned Malayalam actor.
A picture of S. P. Pillai
Career
Films
Manju Pillai made her acting debut with the 1991 telefilm “Tathamme Poocha Poocha.” She then made her feature film debut with “Sabarimalayil Thanka Suryodayam,” in 1992. She then went on to appear in more than fifty feature films and some of her notable films include “Mazhayethum Munpe” (1995) as Anjana, “Ayushman Bhava” (1998) as Dance Teacher, Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s “Naalu Pennungal” (2007) as Chinnu Amma, “Love 24×7” (2015) as Jessica Moses, “Kolaambi” (2021) as Lawyer. In 2007, Manju Pillai played a main role in Adoor Gopalakrishnan’s drama film “Naalu Pennungal.” In 2010, she acted with Kamal Haasan in the Tamil film “Manmadhan Ambu,” portraying the character Manju Kurup.
The poster of the film Manmadhan Ambu
Her role as Kuttiamma, a mother, in the film “Home,” released on Amazon Prime Video in 2021, earned widespread recognition in the film industry.
Manju Pillai on the poster of the film Home (2021)
She later starred in the films “The Teacher,” playing the role of Kalyani, and “Oh My Darling,” portraying Meritta in 2023. In the same year, she was featured in the film “Falimy,” available on Disney+ Hotstar.
Manju Pillai on the poster of the film ‘Falimy’ (2023)
Television
She made her television debut with the serial “Sathyavum Mithyayum,” which aired on Doordarshan Malayalam and made herself familiar to Malayalam TV audiences. Subsequently, she began appearing in many television serials on different channels such as “Seemanthanam” (1995) on DD Malayalam, “Thali” (2000) as Hema on Surya TV, Chila Kudumba Chitrangal (2002) as Sulochana Vishwanathan (Sulu) on Kairali TV, Kavyanjali (2004) as Pavizham on Surya TV, Nirmalyam (2008) as Sethulakshmi on Asianet, “Thatteem Mutteem” (2012-2023) as Mohanavally on Mazhavil Manorama, and Madhavi Naadu Vaanidum Kalam (2021) as Madhavi on Kaumudy TV.
The poster of the television serial Madhavi Naadu Vaanidum Kalam (2021)
Reality Shows
In 2010, Manju Pillai started appearing in various television reality shows as a judge, host, and contestant. Some of these reality shows include “Kinginikoottam” (2013) as a Host on Asianet Plus, “D3 – D 4 Dance” (2016) as a Mentor on Surya TV, “Super Dupe 2” (2018) as a Judge on Flowers TV, “Udan Panam 3.0” (2021) as a Contestant on Mazhavil Manorama, and “Panam Tharum Padam” as a Contestant on Mazhavil Manorama.
Manju Pillai as a host in a reality show
Television Commercials
Manju Pillai has been featured in numerous television advertisements such as Mazhavil Manorama, Mazhavil FM, Samson & Samson Lifestyle, Maa Washing Powder, Mahilaratnam Magazine, and Asian Paints Ultima Protek.
Manju Pillai (in red kurta) in a still from the advertisement of ‘Samson & Samson Lifestyle’
Music Video
In 2020, she, along with his daughter, Daya, starred in a special video titled “My Life My Choice.”
Manju Pillai in a still from the video ‘My Life My Choice’
Web Series
She played the role of Manju Aunty in the web series “Lockdown Bros” in 2020. In the following year, she appeared as Jessy’s sister in the web series “Ohm Sthuthiyayi Erikatte.”
Manju Pillai on the poster of the web series ‘Ohm Sthuthiyayirikatte’
Talk Shows
Manju Pillai has been featured in many talk shows on television and radio. Some of these shows include Annie’s Kitchen, Manorama Newsmaker, Morning Guest, Radio Mango, Tamasha Bazar, Morning Reporter, and Hello My Dear Wrong Number (Radio).
Manju Pillai (left) in a still from a live talk show
Awards
- Manju Pillai won the State Television Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her roles in the serials “Devaranjini” and “Sethuvinte Kathakal” in 2000-2001.
- In 2002, she received the State Television Awards for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in the television series “Sundaranmaarum Sundarikalum.”
- In 2002-2003, she won the Television Award for Best Actress for her role in Ali Akbar’s TV series “Sundarikalum Sundarimaarum.”
- In 2009, she won the Best Comedian award at the FRAME Journalism Awards.
- In 2017, Manju Pillai won the Best Comedian award at the Flowers TV Awards.
- In 2017, she was honoured with the Good Knight Film and Business Award.
- She is the recipient of the Best Female Comedian award at the Janmabhoomi Television Awards.
- In 2021, she earned the Best Supporting Actress award for the film ‘Home’ at the Reporter TV Awards.
- In 2022, she won the Best Second Actress award at the Kerala Film Critics Association Awards.
Manju Pillai posing with her award
Car Collection
Manju Pillai owns a Tata Safari Gold.
Manju Pillai with her Tata Safari Gold
Tattoo
- Manju Pillai has got her daughter’s picture inked on her left forearm and mentioned it as the best gift on her body.
Manju Pillai’s tattoo on her left forearm
Facts/Trivia
- During a media talk, Manju Pillai once mentioned that she loved travelling. She said that her favourite travelling destinations include UAE, Europe, and Singapore, but Venice held a special place in her heart. She said,
Trips help us visit new places and enjoy unique experiences. One aspect of Europe, America, UAE and Singapore that attracted me was that people were strictly following traffic rules. In Venice, there are buildings everywhere. Even then, the place has a special charm.”
Manju Pillai enjoying a trip with her family
- Manju Pillai is known for her beauty and sense of style, and she has often walked down the runway for various fashion designers.
Manju Pillai while walking a ramp
- She is an avid dog lover. She frequently uploads pictures of her pet on various social media platforms.
Manju Pillai posing with her pet dog
- In a media interview, Manju Pillai once revealed that she had to smoke eight cigarettes for a scene in the film “Teacher,” where she portrayed the character Kalyani. She said,
My lungs are like a sponge. I had to smoke eight cigarettes for the film. Vivek insisted that it was not enough to just act, but to actually smoke a smoke a cigarette. So that’s how I pull it once and I carry it. Then the method was studied and corrected. So many cigarettes were smoked for practice and shots.”
Manju Pillai in a still from the film ‘Teacher’