Making a comeback: Mani

Many things have changed for Mani in the 12 years since his filmy debut in Mohanlal's Photographer. His short curls alone are a clue to identify the little boy from the song Pulchadi. After a long time, he's back in the spotlight, this time as a lead in the movie Udalazham. Flanked by director Unnikrishnan Avala and co-actor Anumol, he sat shyly on the dais to meet the press. Too uncomfortable to initiate a speech, he began speaking slowly when pushed by his director. “I come from Wayanad. Unni ettan met me three years ago. Several offers came after Photographer. I did not take up any. He came and told me I am the actor for this movie and that I can do it. He dropped in often and kept in touch with me over the phone,” he says,finishing off the first round with great effort and a smile.

The shiny stud on his left earlobe twinkles. The feature film produced by a medicos' collective called ‘Doctors’ Dilemma’ has him in the role of Gulikan, a 24-year-old tribal man, who stands puzzled at his bodily changes and its hidden identity. The way he perceives the world makes the movie, throwing light on the life of a transgender. The film has been incubating for about three years since Mani was drafted in to play the main character. “I am a daily-wage labourer. I was working in Karnataka when the director called me and asked if I am interested to act in a movie,” he continues. Unnikrishnan says Mani did not budge at first. “He did not agree at first nor wished to come back. In the next three months, he was at my home, spending most of the time with me and my family. There is a lot of real life coming into the picture — Mani, his family, their way of life, and all. Mani and I have written the dialogues in the tribal language together,” explains Unnikrishnan.

As getting married at an early age is a custom in his tribe, Mani is now the head of a family comprising his wife Panchami and two little daughters — Maneesha and Anakha. The elder kid has turned five. The three years paved enough space for Mani to get into the skin of Gulikan. The character ekes out a living from collecting and selling leeches from farmlands. Once this source of incomes dries out, he ventures into the larger world outside. Joy Mathew, Indrans, Sajitha Madathil and Nilambur Ayisha comprise the rest of the cast. Udalazham is slated for Onam release.