Manju Pillai is an Indian actress who appears in Malayalam films and television shows. She is best known for portraying comedic roles to character roles.
Personal life
Manju Pillai is the granddaughter of Malayalam film actor S. P. Pillai. She did her undergraduate studies from Mar Ivanios College, Thiruvananthapuram. She married cinematographer Sujith Vaassudev on 23 December 2000 and later divorced in 2024. They have a daughter Daya Sujith.
Career
Manju first acted in the television serial Sathyavum Mithyayum. In 2000 and 2001, Manju won the Kerala State Television Award for Best Supporting Actress for V. N. Mohandas's serial Devaranjini and Venu Nair's Sethuvinte Kathakal. She won the Film Critics' Award the same year. In 2002–2003, she again won the State Award for the best television actress for Ali Akbar's Sundaranmarum Sundarikalum.
Filmography Films Year Title Role Notes 1992 Sabarimalayil Thanka Sooryodayam Chandran Pillai's daughter 1993 Golanthara Vartha Lekha's neighbor 1994 Galileo 1995 Mazhayethum Munpe Anjana 1996 Kaathil Oru Kinnaram Usha Excuse Me Ethu Collegila Gayathri 1997 Irattakuttikalude Achan Indira Janathipathyam Thirumulpadu's wife Guru Sishyan Sarasu Nee Varuvolam Santha Raajathanthram Shari 1998 Ayushman Bhava Dance Teacher Kattathoru Penpoovu Leela 1999 Njangal Santhushtaranu Kamakshi 2000 Vinayapoorvam Vidhyaadharan Rexy Snegithiye Police Constable Tamil film Swayamvara Panthal Seema Mister Butler Anandham 2001 Raavanaprabhu Kumudam 2007 Naalu Pennungal Chinnu Amma Raakilipattu Police Constable 2009 Raamanam Kadashi Paathu 2010 Manmadhan Ambu Manju Kurup Tamil film 2011 Teja Bhai & Family Rathi Devi 2013 Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty Herself 2014 Jalamsham Soshakutty 2015 Kaliyachan Kunjiraman's mother Love 24x7 Jessica Moses Ammakkoru Tharattu 2016 James & Alice Advocate Rohini 2018 Autorsha Herself (Cameo in promo song) Nithyaharitha Nayakan Omana 2021 Home Kuttiyamma Kolaambi Lawyer 2022 Headmaster Teacher's wife Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey Court Judge The Teacher Kalyani 2023 Oh My Darling Meritta Higuita Falimy Rema Chandran 2024 Vivekanandan Viralanu Ammini Malayalee From India Suma Grrr Fauziya Fathima Swargam Aniyamma Oru Anweshanathinte Thudakkam Mollykutty 2025 Prince and Family Safiya United Kingdom of Kerala Rosamma Adinaasam Vellapokkam Principal 2026
Other works Year Title Role Notes2020Keralam Gathi MattumHerselfMusic videoLockdown BrosManju auntyWeb Series2021DKAnnieShort filmOhm Sthuthiyayi ErikatteJessy's sisterWeb Series2022My Life My ChoiceHerselfSpecial video
Television Serials Year Title RoleChannel2021Madhavi Naadu Vaanidum KalamMadhaviKaumudy TV2016MarimayamMohanavallyMazhavil Manorama2012–2023Thatteem Mutteem2011-2012Manassu Parayunna Karyangal Annapurna/ ThalaiviPattukallude PattuSindhuSurya TVKudumbapuranamShariJaihind TV2009-2010MazhayariyatheSurya TVSmarakasilakalPathuDD Malayalam2009DevimahathmyamDevikaAsianet2008Nirmalyam Sethulakshmi2005Indhumukhi Chandramathi IndhumukhiSurya TV2007-2008Sanamanassulavarkku SamadhanamAsianet2007PrayaanamSurya TVWomen's Club2009-2010Katha Parayum KavyanjaliPavizhamSurya TV2006Sathi Leelavathi LeelavathiAmrita TVIvide Ellavarkkum Sukham Asianet2004-2005Koodum ThediKavyanjali PavizhamSurya TVLife Is Beautiful Sulochana Vishwanathan (Sulu)Asianet2003Instant PadamSulochanaKairali TV2002-2004Chila Kudumba Chitrangal Sulochana Vishwanathan (Sulu)2002SooryakanthiDD Malayalam2003Sathyavum Mithyayum2001DevaranjiniSethuvinte KadhakalLakshmiSundharanmarum Sundharikallum2000Thali Hema Surya TV1998-1999Sthreeauto babyAsianet1997Marannam DhurbhalamDD MalayalamRareeramVeendum Chila Veetukaryangal Eka Tharakam1995SeemanthanamMarubhoomiyil Pookkalam1994Scooter MurappennuThamarakuzhaliLakshmiSouminiKoodum ThediThathamme Poocha Poocha
Television shows Year Title RoleChannel2010Vodafone Comedy StarsJudgeAsianetSuper DupeAmrita TV2012Comedy FestivalMazhavil ManoramaVeruthe Alla Bharya2013KinginikoottamHostAsianet Plus2013-2015Pokkiri Peekkiri2015Thani NadanPresenterMazhavil Manorama2016Laughing VillaHouse owners wifeSurya TVD3 - D 4 DanceMentor2017Malayali VeetammaJudgeFlowers TVGrand Magical CircusKaumudy TV2018Comedy Stars PlusAsianet PlusComedy UtsavamFlowers TVSuper Dupe 2Mimicry MahamelaMentor Mazhavil ManoramaTamar Padar2020RuchimelamPresenterACV2020-2021Comedy StarsJudgeAsianet2021Udan Panam 3. 0ContestantMazhavil ManoramaMidumudukkiJudgeFlowers TV2021–2023Oru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumper ChiriMazhavil Manorama2021Atham Pathu Ruchi 2021PresenterRed CarpetMentorAmrita TV2021–2022Bumper Chiri AgoshamJudgeMazhavil Manorama2022Panam Tharum PadamContestant2023–2025Oru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumper Chiri 2Judge 2025-2026Bumper Chiri Unlimited ChiriJudge2026–presentOru Chiri Iru Chiri Bumper Chiri 3Judge
Advertisements Mazhavil Manorama Mazhavil FM Samson & Samson Lifestyle Maa Washing Powder Mahilaratnam Magazine Asian Paints Ultima Protek
Other works
Chithrageetham Amma Mazhavillu Day with a star Annie's Kitchen Funny Nights with Pearle Maaney Katha Ethuvare Manasilloru Mazhavillu Light & Sound Drama - Sthreeparvam Manorama Newsmaker Vanitha Magazine Shubharathri Idavelayil Little World Amma Shows Take It Easy Morning Guest Ividinganannu Bhai Hello Namasthe Namasthe Keralam Malayali Durbar JB Junction Cinema Chirima Bellari Manjuvum Bumper Onavum My Favourites Comedy Super Nite Orikkal Koodi 1.1.3 Radio Mango Fast Track Badayi Bunglawu Malayala Manorama Lalitham 50 Nakshathrathilakkam Manjubhashitham Utsavam Superstar Chat Show Star Chat Morning Guest Tamasha Bazar Morning Reporter Talk Time Mazhavil Azhakil Amma ABC -Artists Big Chat Satvika Snehathalam Cinema One Manju Pillakkoppam Chila Kudumbachithrangal Breakfast News Hello My Dear Wrong Number (Radio) Spotlight Tharapakittu
Awards Flowers Television Award 2016: Best comedian for Thatteem muttem Janmabhoomi awards 2019: Best Comedy artist for Thatteem muttem Kerala Film Critics Association Awards 2022: Best second actress for Home SIIMA Awards 2024:Best supporting actress - Malayalam for Falimy Vanitha Film Awards 2024:Best Supporting actress for Falimy Mazhavil Entertainment Awards 2024:Best entertainment - Character role for Falimy
References
External links
Manju Pillai at MSI