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Rising star

Manikuttan has arrived with `Boyy Friennd'

LUCKY BREAK Manikuttan

Manikuttan is now basking in the glory of his successful debut in director Vinayan's latest film, `Boyy Friennd'. For those wondering "Who Manikuttan?" Manikuttan is the actor who essayed Kayamkulam Kochunni's role in the television serial.

After watching his performance on the big screen, this young actor feels he could have done a much better job. This, despite congratulatory phone calls from people who have wholeheartedly accepted the former `Kayamkulam Kochunni' star.

Manikuttan is no stranger to the camera. A regular participant at youth festivals while at school, his friend's father, noticed his potential and he appeared in a tele-film `Nunna Neragummo.' This was followed by a children's film and then the investigative thriller series `Black and White.' The opportunity to play the `Robin Hood of Kerala,' Kayamkulam Kochunni came close behind.

The serial with a male protagonist and a legendary story to boot, made Manikuttan a household name. It was at this time that he met Vinayan who signed him as the lead actor for `Boyy Friennd.'

Important break

"I was able to identify with many facets of Ramesh Prasad, my character in the film. He is the boy-next-door with his own trials and tribulations. I was very tense before getting started, but Vinayan sir put me at ease and explained the scenes to me," recalls Manikuttan. "Lakshmi Gopalaswamy even helped me work on the dance! I'm so grateful to her for that. She could have declined to portray the role of mother to my character in the film since she's so young, but she didn't because that is how dedicated she is," he adds. There was also the rare privilege of sharing frames with K.J. Jesudas for the hit song `Ramzan Nilavotha.' On this, he says, "Jesudas sir was like a father figure to me on the sets. He emphasised the role of providence and advised me on the importance of perfecting my dance steps, maintaining a healthy diet and working out."

This windfall in the form of `Boyy Friennd' flooded him with offers.

"I love watching old movies! There's so much to learn from them," Manikuttan says of his hobbies. "If it weren't for the support of my family I wouldn't have found the confidence to do what I believed in. My father had faith in my decision to act even when people warned him that it needn't necessarily get me anywhere," he reminisces as he adds, "but the viewers have to decide whether they want to see more of Manikuttan or not. Their encouraging responses all the way from `Kayamkulam Kochunni' to `Boyy Friennd' have brought me so far and I owe it to them." Looks like this young man is here to stay, so you'll be seeing a lot more of him in the days to come!

SAJNI SAHADEVAN

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