Tollywood actor Manchu Manoj, famous for his intense performances and frank nature, is coming back in a much-awaited action drama Bhairava. Although the movie stars Bellamkonda Sai Sreenivas in the central role, Manoj has a pivotal role that can turn out to be a defining moment in his film career.
At the recent pre-release function of Bhairava, Manoj visibly teared up after seeing his tribute video on screen. Picking up the mic, he spoke from his heart to the fans and the film industry, stating, “It’s been almost nine years since I hit the big screen. I can never pay the debt I owe to the director of this film.”
Revealing the challenges he faced over the past decade, Manoj mentioned that several of his projects were shelved during the pandemic and due to personal setbacks. “Cinema is not just a profession for me—it’s my life,” he said, his voice filled with emotion.
Looking back at his humble start, he remembered his first on-screen appearance as a toddler in Major Chandrakanth and attaining lead-actor status at the age of 19 in Donga Dongadi. Even though he kept away from the limelight, Manoj accepted the fan base’s unstinting support:
“I did not give you anything back—no money, no presence. But you stuck with me. Even when relationships became far away between family and me, your love sustained me. My world today are my two children and my wife. They are my strength, and I vow to regain my worth.”
Although the speech was laced with emotion, it also contained one line that has created new controversy. Manoj had stated, “Just shouting ‘Shivayya’ won’t bring Shiva,” which many people took as a veiled dig at his brother, Manchu Vishnu.
In recap, Vishnu had earlier been angered by actor Sree Vishnu for adopting the dialogue “Shivayya…” in the movie Single. The matter reached the Film Chamber, and the dialogue was taken off along with an apology by Sree Vishnu.
Now Manoj appears to have fanned the controversy again, reports indicating that Bhairava has indirect references to Vishnu. Putting fuel to fire, Manoj also cried out “Shivayya…” in the course of recording a TV show to promote the film. The episode has not aired yet, and the channel is said to be deliberating whether to maintain the controversial scene fearing backlash from Mohan Babu, head of the Manchu family.
Industry observers and viewers alike consider Manoj a down-to-earth, multi-talented actor—usually thought to be the better of the two Manchu brothers. Respected as humble and affable, his vulnerability and emotional outpourings have found favor with many.
Regardless of the family circumstances and possible tension, Manoj’s first priority seems to be his filmic renaissance. With Bhairava, he’s not merely coming back to cinemas—he’s trying to get in touch with viewers on a deeper level.
With release day fast approaching, Bhairava is no longer a movie—it is Manchu Manoj’s rebirth both as a person and a performer. Whether the film is a breakaway hit or fuels the already burning family feud, one thing is for sure: everyone’s eyes are now on Manoj and his daring return.