Manoj Manchu all set for a fierce comeback with Mirai

Manchu Manoj makes a powerful comeback with Mirai, playing a fierce antagonist. With intense preparation, Rajinikanth’s encouragement, and Karthik Ghattamaneni’s vision, the film promises high-scale action and a global cinematic experience.

Hyderabad: One of the proven actors in the Telugu film industry, Manchu Manoj, has always stood out for his versatility. From the unforgettable Vivek in Vedam, the lively Raju in Current Teega, to the spunky Vasu in Donga Dongadi, Manoj has carved a space where each of his roles feels distinct. His recent outing as Gajapathi in Bhairavam showcased both violence and empathy in equal measure, giving audiences a taste of his depth as a performer. Now, with Mirai, Manoj is stepping into an out-and-out antagonist’s shoes, and the teasers and trailers have already raised the excitement sky high.

As Mirai gears up for its grand release on September 12, Manoj shared key insights about the film, his role, and what makes this project special.

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On choosing Mirai

“I’ve known director Karthik Ghattamaneni for a long time, and Teja Sajja since childhood. When Karthik narrated the story, the epic angle, the backdrop of Sri Ram, and the concept of nine books, I was floored. My character is very powerful, one that has been designed with great detail. We worked on this film for nearly three years, and every little aspect was crafted with care.”

The antagonist’s arc

When asked if his role could be seen as a modern Ravana, Manoj said, “Maybe. But not the kind who runs behind women!” He describes his character as someone intense, lazy in outlook yet dangerous in depth, a role he believes the audience will connect with strongly.

Preparation & action training

Manoj reveals that he underwent eight months of action training under Jackson Master in Hyderabad. “I’ve loved martial arts since childhood. But for Mirai, I trained specially to fit the scale and vision of the film. Teja too worked immensely hard, you’ll see his dedication shine on screen.”

Words from the Superstar

Before the film’s shoot, Manoj had a chance to meet Superstar Rajinikanth. “I showed him the trailer of Mirai. He appreciated it and told me to keep making films without gaps. His encouragement gave me tremendous energy.”

On the team behind Mirai

Speaking about director Karthik, Manoj says, “He’s a brilliant technician. The same content in another director’s hands would have cost double. Karthik has delivered at a Hollywood level, without compromise.” He also praised producer TG Vishwa Prasad: “His vision is massive. This film has been mounted on a grand scale, shot largely on live locations, with graphics enhancing the experience.”

The trailer’s roaring response

“This is the best response I’ve ever received in my career. Even during Mr Nookayya days, the buzz was good, but Mirai’s trailer has reached a global level. I’m grateful to the director for this opportunity.”

What’s next for Manoj?

The actor isn’t stopping at Mirai. He has David Reddy and Rakshak in the pipeline, both action-packed films. He is also exploring Tamil projects and awaiting the right time for Aham Brahmasmi and What the Fish, the latter being a dark comedy planned across international locations.

With Mirai, Manoj Manchu is making his much-awaited comeback. If the buzz around the film is anything to go by, audiences are set to witness one of his most powerful performances yet.