Maniyanpilla Raju


Sudheer Kumar, better known by his stage name Maniyanpilla Raju, is an Indian actor and producer who works in Malayalam film industry. His debut film was Mohiniyaattam in 1976. He has played a variety of roles as a character actor, appearing in over 400 films. His stage name was derived from the character he played in the film Maniyanpilla Adhava Maniyanpilla, his break-through role.

Early life

Raju was born as the youngest among four in 1955 to Shekharan Nair and Saraswati Amma at Thycaud, Thiruvanathapuram. He has two sisters, Ramani and Radha, and a brother Surendran. He had his primary education from Government Model Boys Higher Secondary School, Thiruvanathapuram. He did his pre-degree in Victory Tutorial College. He learned acting through a diploma course during 1973–1975 from Adyar Film Institute, Madras.

Personal life

Maniyanpilla Raju married Indira in 1985, and the couple have two sons, Sachin and Niranj. The younger son, Niranj, made his debut in Renjith's Black Butterfly. He wrote a book titled Chirichum Chirippichum containing his memoirs in 2012. In 2019, he opened a restaurant, Be@Kiwizo, in Kannur, which is Kerala's first restaurant to use robots to serve customers.

Filmography

As an actor

1970s

1980s

1990s

2000s

2010s

2020s

As producer

  • Hello My Dear Wrong Number
  • Vellanakalude Nadu
  • Aye Auto
  • Anaswaram
  • Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu
  • Anandabhadram
  • Chotta Mumbai
  • Oru Naal Varum
  • Black Butterfly
  • Pavada
  • Panchavarnathatha
  • Finals
  • Maheshum Marutiyum
  • ''Gu''

    Web series

Television

As judge

  • Comedy Super Show
  • Comedy Stars Plus
  • Comedy Stars Season 2
  • ''Comedy Stars''

    As host

  • Beautiful minds
  • Laughing Villa
  • Malayali Durbar
  • ''Jambanum Thumbanum''

    As actor

  • Ettu Sundarikalum Njanum 2004-2005
  • Mahatma Gandhi Colony 2007-2008
  • Kadamattathu Kathanar - 2004-2005
  • Sthree 1998-2000
  • Laksharchana 1995-1996
  • Aarohanam 2013-2014
  • Akshayapatram - 2001-2002

    Controversy

Actress Minu Muneer accused Maniyanpilla Raju of harassment. He later denied it and said he would be fine with the investigations if true.