Actor Manchu Manoj is entering an exciting phase in both his professional and personal life. As he celebrates his birthday on May 20, the actor is not only gearing up for the release of glimpses from his upcoming films, but has also launched a social service initiative titled Aikya Dhairya Sena Samithi along with his wife, Mounika Reddy.
Speaking about his career, Manoj expresses happiness over the strong line-up of films he currently has. “I am doing a film with AK Entertainments after 16 years,” he says. Manoj had earlier worked with the banner for Bindaas in 2010, and now he is reuniting with the production house once again. “I am very excited because the glimpse from this new film will be unveiled on my birthday,” he shares. According to Manoj, the film will carry the same entertaining and fun-filled energy that audiences enjoyed in Bindaas.
The actor is equally excited about another ambitious project, David Reddy. “The glimpse from David Reddy is also releasing on my birthday. Director Hanuma Reddy Yakkanti is making it on a grand scale, and I am very excited about the way it is shaping up,” he shares, revealing that the team recently completed a 20-day schedule in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. “The officials there welcomed our team very warmly, and the film is progressing really well."
The actor believes that his recent films have brought him renewed appreciation from audiences. “Bhairavam and Mirai gave me a lot of recognition and appreciation. I will always remain grateful to directors Vijay Kanakamedala and Karthik Ghattamaneni for giving me those opportunities,” he says, as he opens up on the social service activities he does along with Mounika under his recently launched trust, Aikya Dhairya Sena Samithi. “I am not Superman or Spiderman. I have a family, work commitments, and children. It is not possible to personally respond to every issue every day. That is why we decided to create this trust.”
The actor revealed that the trust’s name is emotionally special to him because it includes the names of his son and daughter. “I feel deeply responsible for this trust and see it like our own child,” he says. According to Manoj, the trust aims to bring together like-minded people who genuinely want to help society. “On June 7, we will explain everything in an organised way — who people can contact, how the trust will function, and how help will be extended,” he said. Manoj added that the organisation intends to support people irrespective of where they come from. “This is about responding to the voice of the people. Our teams will reach out wherever support is needed, especially for women and those in distress,” he says, adding a caveat that he doesn’t plan a political launch with this foundation. “This trust is not a political platform,” Manoj asserted firmly. However, he acknowledged that politics has been a part of his wife’s family legacy. Mounika’s parents, late Bhuma Nagi Reddy and Sobha Nagireddy, were highly respected leaders in the Rayalaseema region. “Yes, Mounika will definitely enter politics and contest in the next elections.”
The actor also spoke warmly about the support he receives from close friends like Sai Dharam Tej and Naveen Vijay Krishna. “After I announced the trust, both of them personally called and encouraged me a lot,” he said. Manoj also revealed that Naveen Vijay Krishna is writing a story for him. “Whenever he calls me for a film, I am ready to do it,” he adds. It has now been nearly 22 years since Manoj made his debut with Donga Dongadi in 2004. Looking back at his journey, the actor said experience has taught him to follow his instincts rather than calculations. “Whether a film becomes a hit or a flop is known only after release. It’s not about maturity alone. I now have a very good line-up of directors and films, and that makes me genuinely excited,” he said.
As for his birthday celebrations, Manoj plans to keep things simple. “Just a simple cake-cutting and waiting excitedly for my film glimpses,” he signs off with a smile.
