Maniyanpilla Raju used his award night to set the record straight on one thing: his Wikipedia page. Receiving the Samskara Sahithi Sukumar Award in Thiruvananthapuram on October 13, the actor said some of the details listed about his film career there are wrong. He added that his films and acting life need to be recorded accurately.
Agriculture Minister T Siddique and Deputy Speaker Shanimol Osman presented the award, instituted by the Samskara Sahithi Thiruvananthapuram district committee, at the State Professional Theatre Festival in Ayyankali Hall.
51 years on, back on a familiar stage
Raju entered cinema in 1975, and 2026 marks 51 years in films. The award recognises his work in both cinema and theatre.
He told the audience he had loved watching plays since his school days, and that his ties to the city's old theatre venues have stayed with him. He also recalled performing the comedy play Trivandrum City on the same stage, reports said. Stories of the humour pieces he read in old literary magazines such as Malayalanadu drew laughs from the hall.
A word for Pisharody
Raju also spoke about his friendship with actor and MLA Ramesh Pisharody, who was in the audience, and praised his sense of humour and his approach to cinema.
In his address, Siddique said efforts that promote theatre and bring artists together offer renewed hope for Kerala's cultural scene. Karunagappally MLA C R Mahesh called it a matter of pride to honour Raju.
MLA P K Firos, screenwriter Krishna Poojappura, Puzhanad Gopan, Joby and Payyanur Murali also attended. More from the industry is in our News section.
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