From Kayamkulam Kochunni on TV to young Mammootty on screen, Rohit Menon gears up for a comeback

Child actors who bring superstars’ younger selves to life often deliver performances so captivating that they rival the brilliance of the stars themselves, earning applause. Yet, despite their moment in the limelight, many of these young talents quietly fade from the silver screen, their once-promising journeys cut short.
Rohit Menon, who brought to life the childhood versions of leading heroes in several superhit films including Devarmadam Narayanan in 'Prajapathi' and Mammachan in 'Vellimoonga,' remains etched in the collective memory of Malayalam cinema lovers. His most frequent role on screen was portraying the childhood of Megastar Mammootty. Rohit’s performances as a junior star span across multiple films, including 'Prajapathi,' 'Pathemari,' 'Alibhai,' and 'Vellimoonga.'

A native of Palakkad, Rohit Menon currently works as a marketing manager at a private firm in Kochi. He is married to Lakshmi, a native of Kozhikode. After a break, this actor is now working toward making a strong comeback in the industry and carving a space for himself beyond childhood roles. In this brief interview with Manorama Online, titled 'Ormayundo Ee Mukham' (Do You Recall This Face?), Rohit Menon shared his experiences in the film industry.

Mammookka’s childhood was my most frequent role
"I have acted in about 18 movies, most of which had me playing the childhood of superstars. Among them, I portrayed Mammookka’s younger self the most. Pathemari was the last movie I worked on. My love for cinema remains unwavering, and my dream is to become a well-known actor someday. I am actively working toward that goal.
Maybe because I played the childhood of star actors, most people still associate me with that phase. Whenever I approach them seeking acting opportunities, they often respond by saying, ‘there are no childhood roles in this film.’ But that’s nobody’s fault. It’s just how people have registered me in their minds. I am now trying to reinvent myself through some make-overs.

I played Kayamkulam Kochunni on TV
"I stepped into the world of acting by portraying the childhood of Kayamkulam Kochunni in a TV serial of the same name. Before venturing into movies, I acted in as many as 15 TV serials. My first film was 'Ottananayam,' where I played a character named Motta. After that, I was cast as Mammootty’s younger self in 'Prajapathi.'
The selection process for Prajapathi involved an extensive audition where I had to perform several scenes. Renjith sir was the director of the film. Playing Mammookka’s childhood on screen was every aspiring actor’s dream. Though I didn’t get to meet him in person at the time, just having the opportunity to portray his younger version was a huge recognition.
Later, I played Siddique sir’s childhood role in 'Alibhai.' I also went on to act in several other films, including 'Gulumaal,' 'Face to Face,' and 'Pranayakalam.'

I was nervous and delivered dialogues incorrectly
For someone like me, who had long been playing only the younger version of Mammookka, 'Face to Face' was my biggest opportunity. In that film, I played Mammookka’s son--a role that was both exciting and terrifying. Unlike my previous films, there was no dialogue prompting; I had to memorise and deliver every line. Acting alongside Mammookka made me so anxious that I kept fumbling my lines. It even took six or seven takes just to get right some of my scenes.

I also made another blunder on set. There was a scene where I had to point a gun at Mammookka. As I grabbed the gun, my hand accidentally knocked over a vessel filled with water, which spilled  over him. I was so terrified. But Mammookka took it lightly and reassured me, making me feel at ease.

I prefer negative roles
I have played a variety of characters in both movies and TV serials, but personally, I have a strong inclination toward negative roles. However, people often tell me that, given my appearance, I don’t fit the image of a villain or a character with dark shades. I want to change that perception, and I’m working hard toward it. That said, in 'Alibhai,' I did get to play a slightly negative character.

A comeback on the horizon
My acting career took a break when I shifted my focus to studies and work. But now, I’m determined to make a comeback. I’ve already taken on a few small roles recently, and I’m working hard to re-establish myself. A big source of strength in this journey is my wife, Lakshmi. Whenever I get lazy or sidetracked by my hectic work schedule, she’s the one who reminds me of my passion and pushes me forward. My parents, too, are standing firmly by my side, supporting my return to the screen.