Manchu Manoj Kumar (born 20 May 1983) is an Indian actor who works in Telugu films. He first appeared at the age of ten as a child artist in Major Chandrakanth. He made his film debut in a leading role with Donga Dongadi in 2004. He received the state Nandi Special Jury Award for his performance in box-office success Bindaas (2010). He also starred in Vedam (2010), Potugadu (2013), and Pandavulu Pandavulu Thummeda (2014).

Manchu Manoj
Manoj in 2008
Born
Manchu Manoj Kumar[1]

(1983-05-20) 20 May 1983 (age 41)
OccupationActor
Years active1993–present
Spouse
Bhuma Mounika Reddy
(m. 2023)
FatherMohan Babu
RelativesLakshmi Manchu (half sister)
Vishnu Manchu (half brother)

Early life

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Manchu Manoj was born on 20 May 1983,[2][3] to film actor Mohan Babu and Nirmala Devi.[4] He has two elder paternal half-siblings, Lakshmi, and Vishnu, who are both actors and producers.[5]

Career

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1993-1998

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Manoj worked as a child actor in movies starring his father Mohan Babu and is shown in flashbacks.

2004–present

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He started his career as a hero in 2004 with a movie called Donga Dongadi. In 2005, he appeared in the movie Sri and next in Raju Bhai in 2007. His movie Nenu Meeku Telusa? was an average grosser, but was known for its melodious music. In 2009, his first movie Prayanam, under the direction of Chandra Sekhar Yeleti did moderately well. His first movie in 2010, Bindaas, turned out to be the biggest hit of his career. Another movie in 2010, Vedam, was a critical and commercial success. He gained accolades for his role in Vedam. In 2012, he starred in Mr. Nookayya and Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara?. In March 2013, he announced 5 films.[6] His subsequent releases were Potugadu, Pandavulu Pandavulu Tummeda and Current Theega.[7] After taking a long break from films, on 20 January 2023, Manchu Manoj announced his first film in 6 years titled What The Fish directed by Vishnu and produced by Six Studios.[8]

Personal life

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In May 2015, Manoj married his girlfriend Pranathi Reddy.[9] In 2017, Manoj started a foundation called Manoj Kumar's Unity to collect funds for the development of farmers.[10] He remarried on 3 March 2023 to the youngest daughter of Bhuma Nagi Reddy and Shobha Nagi Reddy, Bhuma Mounika, both former Members of the Legislative Assembly.[11] Mounika has a 5–6 years old son from her previous marriage.[12] On 13 April 2024, Manoj and Mounika announced that they were blessed with a baby girl.[13]

Filmography

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Key
Denotes films that have not yet been released
Year Title Role Notes Ref.
1993 Major Chandrakanth Major Chandrakanth's grandson Child actor
1994 Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam young Bharath Child actor
1997 Adavilo Anna Manoj Child actor
1998 Khaidi Garu Raju Child actor
Raayudu as presenter
2004 Donga Dongadi Vasu CineMAA Awards - Best Male Debut [14]
2005 Political Rowdy Himself Special appearance; also presenter
Sri Sri
2007 Raju Bhai Raju Bhai
2008 Nenu Meeku Telusa? Adithya
2009 Prayanam Dhruv
2010 Bindaas Ajay Nandi Special Jury Award [15]
Vedam Vivek Chakravarthy
Jhummandi Naadam Balu
2012 Mr. Nookayya Nookayya Also lyricist
Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara? Manoj
2013 Potugadu Govindu
2014 Pandavulu Pandavulu Tummeda Ajay
Current Theega Raju
A day in the life of Lakshmi Manchu's feet Himself Short film [16]
2015 Dongaata Himself Special appearance
Superstar Kidnap Himself Special appearance
2016 Shourya Shourya
Attack Radha Krishna
2017 Gunturodu Kanna
Okkadu Migiladu Surya
2018 Idi Naa Love Story Himself Cameo appearance
Operation 2019 Police officer Cameo appearance
2025 Mirai The Black Sword Filming [17]
TBA What the Fish TBA Filming
TBA Bhairavam TBA Filming

Television

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Year Title Role Channel Ref.
2023-present Ustaad Host ETV Win [18]

References

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  1. ^ "Time to get Bindaas". Rediff. 1 February 2010. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  2. ^ "Manchu Manoj Celebrates His Birthday With Family!". Sakshi Post. 20 May 2020. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  3. ^ "Manchu Manoj announces separation from wife Pranathi Reddy". The Indian Express. 17 October 2019. Retrieved 4 April 2021.
  4. ^ "Chitchat with Manoj". idlebrain.com. Retrieved 24 October 2010.
  5. ^ "It's official! Manchu Manoj gets married to Mounika Reddy. See FIRST pics". India Today. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  6. ^ "Manoj Manchu announces five films". idlebrain.com. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  7. ^ "Manchu Manoj's next titled Current Theega". The Times of India. 15 January 2017. Retrieved 17 October 2019.
  8. ^ "Manoj Manchu's first look glimpse from What The Fish unleashed". 20 May 2023.
  9. ^ "Manchu Manoj ties the knot with Pranathi in a star-studded ceremony". India Today. 21 May 2015. Retrieved 26 May 2019.
  10. ^ "Manoj on a new mission". The Hans India. 28 May 2017. Retrieved 29 May 2017.
  11. ^ India, The Hans (3 March 2023). "Bhuma Mounika Reddy: Everything You Need to Know About daughter of late politicians Bhuma Nagi Reddy". www.thehansindia.com. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  12. ^ "Manchu Manoj and Mounika Reddy look perfect in first PHOTOS as husband and wife". PINKVILLA. 4 March 2023. Retrieved 5 March 2023.
  13. ^ "Manoj, Mounika Blessed Baby Girl". greatandhra.com. 13 April 2023.
  14. ^ "CineMAA Awards 2004". Idlebrain.com. 23 January 2006.
  15. ^ "Nandi awards 2010 announced". Idlebrain.com. 5 August 2011.
  16. ^ Service, Express News (9 October 2014). "A Day in The Life of Lakshmi Manchu's Feet". The New Indian Express.
  17. ^ "Manchu Manoj makes a comeback after 8 years with Teja Sajja-starrer Mirai. Watch". 20 May 2024.
  18. ^ "OTT: Manchu Manoj's Ustaad seals its premiere date". 6 December 2023.
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