From stage plays in Trivandrum to a prolific film career and a victorious battle with cancer, Maniyanpilla Raju’s journey is a story of perseverance, passion, and quiet strength.

From stage plays in Trivandrum to a prolific film career and a victorious battle with cancer, Maniyanpilla Raju’s journey is a story of perseverance, passion, and quiet strength.

From stage plays in Trivandrum to a prolific film career and a victorious battle with cancer, Maniyanpilla Raju’s journey is a story of perseverance, passion, and quiet strength.

From stage plays in Trivandrum to a prolific film career and a victorious battle with cancer, Maniyanpilla Raju’s journey is a story of perseverance, passion, and quiet strength.
The fight of a lifetime
Before his first chemotherapy session, veteran Malayalam actor Maniyanpilla Raju placed his hand on his throat. At that moment, he remembered the words of his colleague Mammootty: “Eda, you must fight and come back.”
That single line became a mantra. Over the months that followed, he underwent five rounds of chemotherapy and 30 sessions of radiation. The treatments began during the Malayalam month of Chingam. Even in those difficult days, laughter remained his closest companion. He recalls a moment in the hospital when Dr. Jayaprakash joked with another patient:

“Isn’t it Onam? Everything has discounts. Can’t you give me two radiations off?”
It was this sense of humour that helped him through the pain.
While working on the film 'Thudarum', Raju began experiencing pain near his left ear. A scan revealed the diagnosis—cancer—at the edge of the throat, beneath the tongue. Initially shaken, Raju found strength in his family. Holding his wife Indira and sons, actor Niranj and Sachin, he remembered that he had never surrendered to anything in life. Illness would be no exception.
With determination and faith, he fought—and won. Today, Raju is a cancer survivor, having acted in over 380 films, including 20 lead roles, and produced 14 films.

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Early roots in theatre
Raju’s journey began on school stages in Trivandrum. At Model School, he stood out in drama competitions. Academics, however, weren’t his strength. He barely passed SSLC and sought admission to MG College for pre-degree. The principal, unimpressed by his marks, curtly told him: “With these grades, you want admission here? Don’t let me catch you at the college—or even near Keshavadasapuram junction.” Undeterred, Raju joined a parallel college.
Around that time, a few young boys with acting dreams would often visit his home. One of them seemed vaguely familiar. “Who are you?” Raju asked. “I’m Pyarelal’s younger brother—Mohanlal,” the boy replied shyly.
Raju would go on to direct 'Computer Boy', a play written by Velur Krishnankutty. A sixth-grade Mohanlal played a 90-year-old man in the lead. Raju applied makeup to the boy’s face for the first time—and Mohanlal won Best Actor in the competition. It was a sign of things to come.

Rejections and a turning point
After his pre-degree, Raju dreamed of joining the prestigious Pune Film Institute but didn’t qualify. Instead, he enrolled at the Adyar Film Institute in 1973 and graduated in 1975.
During his early days in Chennai, he met actress Mallika Sukumaran, a classmate. She told him that director Sreekumaran Thampi was casting for a new film and encouraged him to meet him. Raju waited outside Thampi’s Anna Nagar residence, full of hope. But when they finally met, Thampi looked at him and said:

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“Don’t you ever look in the mirror? You want to act in films with this face?”
Crushed, Raju walked away—but not before leaving his lodge’s phone number.
An hour later, the unexpected happened. Thampi called back:
“My film 'Mohiniyattam' is shooting. A vehicle will come for you in the morning. It’s a small role.”
Later, Raju asked why he’d had a change of heart. Thampi revealed that his wife, Rajeshwari, had seen Raju crying at a bus stop.

“Is that how you treat someone asking for a chance?” she asked. “That boy could end up on a railway track in Kodambakkam.”
Her words moved Thampi. He called Raju back and wrote a new scene just for him.

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The birth of Maniyanpilla
In Chennai, filmmaker Balachandra Menon once showed Raju a handwritten 200-page notebook.
“This is Paramu. When I make it into a film, you’ll be the hero,” he said.
But roles were hard to come by. Raju eventually returned home and started a screen-printing business. One day, Menon visited and commented,
“So the guy who wanted to shine on screen is now printing screens!”

Raju responded with a smile and continued painting.
One night, his friend and sound recordist Harikumar woke him up: “Menon is at a nearby hotel. He wants to see you.” When they met, Menon introduced Raju to producer E.J. Peter and said, “This is our Maniyanpilla.”
The film was titled 'Maniyanpilla Adhava Maniyanpilla'—a suggestion from Venu Nagavally. On the 25th day of its release, screenwriter John Paul approached Raju at Menaka Theatre in Ernakulam and said: “You’ll be this year’s Best Actor.”
But the film was never submitted for award consideration. The Best Actor award went to Sudheer for 'Sathyathinte Nizhalil'. With 'Maniyanpilla''s success, Sudheer Kumar became known forever as Maniyanpilla Raju—though officially, he remains Sudheer Kumar.

Returning the favour
During the planning of 'Dheem Tharikida Thom', director Priyadarshan initially cast Mohanlal as the lead. When scheduling conflicts arose, Raju was brought in. Later, Lal became available again. But instead of taking the role back, Mohanlal said: “Let Rajuchettan do it. The film will be a hit.” It was an act of grace, returning the same support Raju had once given.

One good turn deserves another
Years later, at a barbershop in Vazhutacaud, a young man approached Raju. “Do you remember me?” he asked. Raju was puzzled.
“I’m Prithviraj, Mallika’s son,” the young man said. He was then studying in Australia.
That night, director Ranjith called Raju, looking for a young actor for his new film. Raju said:
“Today I saw someone who looks like Hercules. He’s Mallika and Sukumaran’s son.”

The next day, Ranjith called back: “All set. He’s the hero of 'Nandanam'.”
The woman who had once helped Raju find his first role now had her son’s career launched—thanks to him. It was fate, folding the story into itself.

Shelter, friendship, and new beginnings
Throughout his life, Maniyanpilla Raju’s journey has been surrounded by friendships that became shelters. In moments of crisis, he found strength in those who stood beside him—and in turn, became a shelter for others.
Now, at 70 years old, in his 50th year in cinema and his first as a cancer survivor, Raju embarks on a new chapter. He is currently producing a film directed by Krishand and starring Mohanlal.
“Whether it’s life or illness,” he says, “the real fight master is our mind.”
And so, with laughter, legacy, and the lessons of a life well-lived, Maniyanpilla Raju continues to journey forward—still smiling, still fighting, still creating.

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