Gained 20 kg for Okkadu Migiladu: Manchu Manoj

The actpr will be playing a Sri Lankan leader in the upcoming Tamil-Telugu bilingual
Gained 20 kg for Okkadu Migiladu: Manchu Manoj

Actor Manchu Manoj, who will be seen playing a Sri Lankan leader in his upcoming Telugu-Tamil bilingual Okkadu Migiladu, gained 20 kg to play his part and later shed 10 kg to play a role in another film.

"The role of the Sri Lankan leader required me to look huge and overweight. Hence, I gained about 20 kg. After we finished shooting that portion, I went and shot for another film called Gunturodu. In the process, I lost 10 kg to play a student union leader," says Manoj.

The film, slated to hit the screens in September, will release in Tamil as Naan Thirumba Varuven. Also starring Anisha Ambrose, the story is set in two time periods - 1990 and 2017.

"We have captured the tension of Ceylon in the 1990s as realistically as possible. The film is based on an untold true story. It's a very emotional story and focuses on the lives of those (Eelam Tamils) who died a tragic death during that period," he added.

Asked if his role is inspired from late LTTE chief Prabhakaran, Manoj said: "We haven't used names in the film. Let it be that way. I play a very intense role and I'm proud to have accepted this project."

Manoj says the film's screenplay will be much talked about.

"Remember how Rang De Basanti merged two stories set in different eras beautifully? We have attempted something very similar. I'm not saying we have copied the template," he says, heaping praise on his director Ajay Nuthakki.

Films set against the backdrop of Sri Lankan war usually find themselves in controversies. Manoj says he isn't worried about any kind of opposition.

"We are ready to screen our film when faced with any kind of opposition. We've merely recreated history. We haven't taken sides or blamed anyone for what happened with the people in Sri Lanka. Thousands of people were mercilessly killed. The world needs to know such stories."

Related Stories

No stories found.
Cinema Express
www.cinemaexpress.com