Manju Pillai

Manju Pillai
Occupations
  • Actress
  • TV host
Years active1991–present
Spouse
  • (m. 2000; div. 2024)
Children1
RelativesS. P. Pillai (grandfather)

Manju Pillai is an Indian actress who appears in Malayalam films and television shows. She is best known for portraying comedic roles to character roles.[1][2][3]

Personal life

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Manju Pillai is the granddaughter of Malayalam film actor S. P. Pillai. She did her undergraduate studies from Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram. She married cinematographer Sujith Vaassudev on 23 December 2000 and later divorced in 2024.[4] They have a daughter Daya Sujith.[5][6]

Career

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Manju first acted in the television serial Sathyavum Mithyayum. In 2000 and 2001, Manju won the Kerala State Television Award for Best Supporting Actress for V. N. Mohandas's serial Devaranjini and Venu Nair's Sethuvinte Kathakal. She won the Film Critics' Award the same year. In 2002–2003, she again won the State Award for the best television actress for Ali Akbar's Sundaranmarum Sundarikalum.

Filmography

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Films

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Year Title Role Notes
1992 Sabarimalayil Thanka Sooryodayam Chandran Pillai's daughter
1993 Golanthara Vartha Lekha's neighbor
1994 Galileo
1995 Mazhayethum Munpe Anjana
1996 Kaathil Oru Kinnaram Usha
Excuse Me Ethu Collegila Gayathri
1997 Irattakuttikalude Achan Indira
Janathipathyam Thirumulpadu's wife
Guru Sishyan Sarasu
Nee Varuvolam Santha
Raajathanthram Shari
1998 Ayushman Bhava Dance Teacher
Kattathoru Penpoovu Leela
1999 Njangal Santhushtaranu Kamakshi
2000 Vinayapoorvam Vidhyaadharan Rexy
Snegithiye Police Constable Tamil film
Swayamvara Panthal Seema
Mister Butler Anandham
2001 Raavanaprabhu Kumudam
2007 Naalu Pennungal Chinnu Amma
Raakilipattu Police Constable
2009 Raamanam Kadashi Paathu
2010 Manmadhan Ambu Manju Kurup Tamil film
2011 Teja Bhai & Family Rathi Devi
2013 Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty Herself
2015 Kaliyachan Kunjiraman's mother
Love 24x7 Jessica Moses
Ammakkoru Tharattu
2016 James & Alice Advocate Rohini
2018 Autorsha Herself (Cameo in promo song)
Nithyaharitha Nayakan Omana
2021 Home Kuttiyamma [7]
Kolaambi Lawyer [8]
2022 Headmaster Teacher's wife
Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey Court Judge [9]
The Teacher Kalyani [10]
2023 Oh My Darling Meritta [11]
Higuita [12]
Falimy Rema [13]
2024 Vivekanandan Viralanu Ammini [14]
Malayalee From India Suma [15]
Grrr Fauziya Fathima [16]
Swargam TBA [17]

Other works

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Year Title Role Notes
2020 Keralam Gathi Mattum Herself Music video
Lockdown Bros Manju aunty Web Series
2021 DK Annie Short film
Ohm Sthuthiyayi Erikatte Jessy's sister Web Series
2022 My Life My Choice Herself Special video

Television

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Serials

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Year Title Role Channel
2021 Madhavi Naadu Vaanidum Kalam Madhavi Kaumudy TV
2016 Marimayam Mohanavally Mazhavil Manorama
2012–2023 Thatteem Mutteem
2011-2012 Manassu Parayunna Karyangal Annapurna/ Thalaivi
Pattukallude Pattu Sindhu Surya TV
Kudumbapuranam Shari Jaihind TV
2009-2010 Mazhayariyathe Surya TV
Smarakasilakal Pathu DD Malayalam
2009 Devimahathmyam Devika Asianet
2008 Nirmalyam Sethulakshmi
2005 Indhumukhi Chandramathi Indhumukhi Surya TV
2007-2008 Sanamanassulavarkku Samadhanam Asianet
2007 Prayaanam Surya TV
Women's Club
2009-2010 Katha Parayum Kavyanjali Pavizham Surya TV
2006 Sathi Leelavathi Leelavathi Amrita TV
Ivide Ellavarkkum Sukham Asianet
2004-2005 Koodum Thedi
Kavyanjali Pavizham Surya TV
Life Is Beautiful Sulochana Vishwanathan (Sulu) Asianet
2003 Instant Padam Sulochana Kairali TV
2002-2004 Chila Kudumba Chitrangal Sulochana Vishwanathan (Sulu)
2002 Sooryakanthi DD Malayalam
2003 Sathyavum Mithyayum
2001 Devaranjini
Sethuvinte Kadhakal Lakshmi
Sundharanmarum Sundharikallum
2000 Thali Hema Surya TV
1998-1999 Sthree auto baby Asianet
1997 Marannam Dhurbhalam DD Malayalam
Rareeram
Veendum Chila Veetukaryangal
Eka Tharakam
1995 Seemanthanam
Marubhoomiyil Pookkalam
1994 Scooter
Murappennu
Thamarakuzhali Lakshmi
Soumini
Koodum Thedi
Thathamme Poocha Poocha

Television shows

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Year Title Role Channel
2010 Vodafone Comedy Stars Judge Asianet
Super Dupe Amrita TV
2012 Comedy Festival Mazhavil Manorama
Veruthe Alla Bharya
2013 Kinginikoottam Host Asianet Plus
2013-2015 Pokkiri Peekkiri
2015 Thani Nadan Presenter Mazhavil Manorama
2016 Laughing Villa House owners wife Surya TV
D3 - D 4 Dance Mentor
2017 Malayali Veetamma Judge Flowers TV
Grand Magical Circus Kaumudy TV
2018 Comedy Stars Plus Asianet Plus
Comedy Utsavam Flowers TV
Super Dupe 2
Mimicry Mahamela Mentor Mazhavil Manorama
Tamar Padar
2020 Ruchimelam Presenter ACV
2020-2021 Comedy Stars Judge Asianet
2021 Udan Panam 3. 0 Contestant Mazhavil Manorama
Midumudukki Judge Flowers TV
2021–present Oru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumper Chiri Mazhavil Manorama
2021 Atham Pathu Ruchi 2021 Presenter
Red Carpet Mentor Amrita TV
2021–2022 Bumper Chiri Agosham Judge Mazhavil Manorama
2022 Panam Tharum Padam Contestant

Advertisements

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  • Mazhavil Manorama
  • Mazhavil FM
  • Samson & Samson Lifestyle
  • Maa Washing Powder
  • Mahilaratnam Magazine
  • Asian Paints Ultima Protek

Other works

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  • Chithrageetham
  • Amma Mazhavillu
  • Day with a star
  • Annie's Kitchen
  • Funny Nights with Pearle Maaney
  • Katha Ethuvare
  • Manasilloru Mazhavillu
  • Light & Sound Drama - Sthreeparvam
  • Manorama Newsmaker
  • Vanitha Magazine
  • Shubharathri
  • Idavelayil
  • Little World
  • Amma Shows
  • Take It Easy
  • Morning Guest
  • Ividinganannu Bhai
  • Hello Namasthe
  • Namasthe Keralam
  • Malayali Durbar
  • JB Junction
  • Cinema Chirima
  • Bellari Manjuvum Bumper Onavum
  • My Favourites
  • Comedy Super Nite
  • Orikkal Koodi
  • 1.1.3
  • Radio Mango
  • Fast Track
  • Badayi Bunglawu
  • Malayala Manorama
  • Lalitham 50
  • Nakshathrathilakkam
  • Manjubhashitham
  • Utsavam Superstar
  • Chat Show
  • Star Chat
  • Morning Guest
  • Tamasha Bazar
  • Morning Reporter
  • Talk Time
  • Mazhavil Azhakil Amma
  • ABC -Artists Big Chat
  • Satvika
  • Snehathalam
  • Cinema One
  • Manju Pillakkoppam Chila Kudumbachithrangal
  • Breakfast News
  • Hello My Dear Wrong Number (Radio)
  • Spotlight
  • Tharapakittu

Awards

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Kerala Film Critics Association Awards
  • 2022: Best second actress for Home[18]

References

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  1. ^ "Naalu Pennungal at Viennale". Yahoo India Movies. Archived from the original on 18 September 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  2. ^ "Naalu Pennungal". Sify. Archived from the original on 5 September 2021.
  3. ^ "Naalu Pennungal review".
  4. ^ "Living separately since 2020: Sujith Vaassudev confirms divorce with Manju Pillai". Onmanorama. Retrieved 2 April 2024.
  5. ^ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2 October 2013. Retrieved 28 September 2013.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  6. ^ "A quick look at the real-life partners of few Malayalam TV celebs". The Times of India. 11 December 2019.
  7. ^ "Kuttiyamma is a reflection of the society we live in: Manju Pillai intv on Home". September 2021.
  8. ^ "Nithya Menen-starrer Kolaambi's trailer is here". Cinema Express. 24 March 2023. Retrieved 30 March 2023.
  9. ^ "'Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey' gears up for release outside Kerala". The New Indian Express. 7 November 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  10. ^ "Amala Paul's 'The Teacher' release date announced". The New Indian Express. 27 October 2022. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  11. ^ "Anikha Surendran's Oh My Darling trailer out". Cinema Express. 12 February 2023. Retrieved 7 April 2023.
  12. ^ Chronicle, Deccan (15 November 2019). "Suraj, Venki to star in Higuita". Deccan Chronicle. Retrieved 31 January 2023.
  13. ^ "Basil Joseph's Falimy teaser is here". Cinema Express. 18 October 2023. Retrieved 21 October 2023.
  14. ^ "'Vivekanandan Viralanu' teaser: Shine The Tom Chacko starrer revolves around internet virality". The Times of India. 4 January 2024. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 30 January 2024.
  15. ^ Bureau, The Hindu (25 December 2023). "Nivin Pauly's film with Dijo Jose Antony titled 'Malayalee From India'". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Retrieved 26 December 2023. {{cite news}}: |last= has generic name (help)
  16. ^ Features, C. E. (6 May 2024). "Kunchacko Boban's Grrr gets a release date". Cinema Express. Retrieved 6 May 2024.
  17. ^ Features, C. E. (27 August 2024). "Aju Varghese starrer 'Swargam' first look poster". Cinema Express. Retrieved 27 August 2024.
  18. ^ "Kerala Film Critics Awards announced, Dulquer Salmaan, Durga Krishna win big". Cinema Express. 19 October 2022. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
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