‘I’ve spoken without a mask, I’m taking names’: Vishnu Manchu

Vishnu Manchu has decided that he has had enough of action comedies. Which is why he will now be seen in the Tamil-Telugu bilingual political thriller, Kural 388 (called Voter in Telugu). The first-look posters of the film has already made the film a talking point because a few versions of the poster had the faces of many well-known politicians of our country, including that of PM Narendra Modi and Atal Behari Vajpayee in the background.
“It’s a straightforward movie, we’re naming a few real-time politicians in it, and are prepared,” begins Manchu, in his slightly accented English.
Prepared? “We had expected this response (to the posters) in both the states mainly because I know that with the current political scenario being what it is, none of my contemporaries would pick a subject at the moment, where they can point out what’s ailing the states’ politics and call out real-life politicians to take action,” reveals Manchu.
Then why did he? “In the last five years, I have done only action comedies, and successful ones. I started thinking I don’t want to be stuck in a loop. I mean action comedy I can do even when I am 70. At the moment, I wanted my career to be a curve that people talk about — my movies should be those that people should want to see again, remember me for,” comes the answer.
So, he decided to do a movie that had every kind of politician in it? He laughs, “Not that, but in Thirukkural, there is one line, that loosely translates to ‘A leader who works towards the welfare of the people is equal to God’, in English. Today, this is a lost concept. Is there anyone who thinks like that? Let’s say, 75 per cent of both, the people and the politicians are lost to that concept. Why should the people always have to take a step back and accommodate everything from corruption to lethargy in politics? Why do we suck up to the politicians? Why don’t they have to run after us instead? These are some of the questions that I keep asking myself even otherwise.”
He continues, “And all of a sudden, especially in Tamil Nadu, the prevailing political situation has turned to be right up the alley for my movie.”
And I also know that as the trailers keep coming, many people are going to rip me apart. I have spoken without a mask, and have taken names. But while I know I can handle things here in the Telugu-speaking states, I am keen I make the right impact in Tamil Nadu, for Kural 388 is my baby — I want to see how the people of TN react to this movie.”
So, let’s hear from Manchu, what ails our political system? “In one word, accountability,” comes the succinct reply. “If I have a personal problem, whom do I go and ask? If the corporator wins an election, he takes out a rally — why? If I need to meet an MLA, I need to like, take permission for a ‘darshan’ — why can’t I just knock on his office door and walk in? Why should only the privileged be allowed to meet him when it is the aam janta that votes for him?”
Is he going to impinge his personal political preferences on this movie? He prefers a certain party perhaps, coming from as politically ensconced a family as he does? “I am not targeting a particular party,” he quickly interrupts, “My movie is targeting the democratic system as it exists in our country now, in its entirety. What is the change that is the need of the hour? One cannot keep blaming the politicians all the time, you know. What are we, the people doing? And no, I am not taking any sides here,” he says.
And continues after a pause, “Is the BJP doing a clear job? Look at the fracas over Padmavati for nothing... If someone brings the head of my sister on a platter, will I keep quiet? (Manchu is referring to the Suraj Pal Amu, chief media coordinator for the BJP in northern Haryana placing a bounty of `10crore on Deepika Padukone’s head). Imagine the ruling party talking stuff like this, and nobody is raising their voice!”
So, politicians interfering with the freedom of filmmakers irks, does it? “In TN, especially, it has always been there. With Mersal, GST became an issue, with BJP getting antsy about it. A few years ago, I think it was Vijay’s film, again, he had said a dialogue which raised the regional parties’ hackles. There was the Viswaroopam controversy — which we all know was for nothing. See, whatever noises are made in the movies — they are not unnecessary. The movies have not spun something out of air, you know. There has been some issue for them to have incorporated it. And for those who find it a problem — don’t watch the movie. I am not forcing you to go see it. Today, in a multiplex of four theatres in TN, there are four movies to choose from at any given time. Go for a non-controversial movie, if you want it that way,” says Manchu.
With such strong views, he has all the makings of a politician himself. And now that he’s got the PM to notice him, what with putting the latter on his movie posters, etc, the plunge is not far away, is it? Manchu laughs that laugh again, and says, “The PM on our poster was to give the movie a national touch. Plus, he’s our most impactful PM so far, and is very much a part of the system that we’re dealing with in the movie. And we wanted to honour Vajpayee, for, there’s no denying the fact that he is a great leader. And, what did you say? Me? A politician? I have enough politicians in my family. My dad is one, my uncle is the CM; my brother is in the opposition party, my friend is in the ruling party in Telangana, and I also have friends in the ruling party in Tamil Nadu. So, I don’t need to be a politician. I am happy being an actor and influencing people as an actor,” says Manchu.
Which leads us to this last question: Is he comfortable with Tamil? This film is his debut... “See, I was born in Chennai and educated there as well. I am comfortable with the language, the milieu. As for my acting career, I guess I will have to wait and see, and let this film lead me further,” signs off Manchu.