Manikandan R. Achari

Manikandan R. Achari Biography

Manikandan R. Achari is a promising actor associated with Malayalam cinema, who shot to fame with his debut Malayalam flick - Kammatti Paadam released in 2016. He played the pivot role of Balan which received a loud noise of applause. He, along with Vinayakan made a spellbound performance in the film which received positive response from critics as well. Achari played a role that has resemblance to his real life in many aspects where he grew up in a similar atmosphere. He has been a part of several street plays before he made his film debut. He made distinct finger prints on his role and stole audience heart with an Afro hair and underrated rage. He looked quite real onscreen. It was spectacular to watch him onscreen and he got into the skin of the role.  

Since the age of four he got attracted to street plays. He was born into a poor family. His father used to sing and play udukku, a music instrument and all his siblings are artists. He too joined the theatre troupe Bhasabheri. He had to spend long time for rehearsals as well as shows, and whenever he had shortage of money he did odd jobs. He worked as a fish cutter at a market before he got his first big break to silver screen. This single role changed his destiny and he became an overnight star. But he is bit choosy now and don’t want to insult the director Rajeev Ravi by accepting bad roles.

With no mentors and industry contacts it was not an easy task for him to get a film role. His friends in theater circle suggested his name to Rajiv Ravi and that’s how he got Kammatti Paadam. He was earlier cast by B Lenin for a film. But the project didn’t take off. Though he has played the roles of goons and thieves for street plays, the actor admits that he got shocked when he saw his mirror image soon after the makeup of the film - Kammatti Paadam. Manikandan is to star in a Malayalam film with Prithviraj playing the lead role. He has acted in one film – Asura Kulam two years back, which is yet to release.

Published: N/A

Updated: June 19, 2016