For actor Manikandan, landing a role like Rajakannu in Jai Bhim might have been a significant breakthrough, but it's his performances as Motor Mohan in Good Night and Arun in Lover that really struck a chord with audiences. These roles allowed viewers to see themselves reflected on screen. While Rajakannu's story is undeniably important and necessary, Manikandan's recent choices have also spotlighted the everyday struggles of ordinary people. Whether it's Mohan's annoying snoring problem or Arun's troubled background that shapes him into a toxic boyfriend, Manikandan's focus on relatable issues has earned him a lot of praise.

He believes, "You don’t need to create films around huge conflicts. What truly matters is the value of the story being told. In Malayalam cinema, even the smallest emotions can be transformed into compelling drama. We're starting to embrace that approach. The key is to ensure the story is engaging, relatable, and entertaining. Above all, it should be told in a captivating way."

Interview with Actor Manikandan about Kudumbasthan

Manikandan's latest movie, Lover, got a decent reception, but it was also misunderstood by some. The story focused on the female lead dealing with her partner's toxic behavior, yet a part of the audience started to praise Arun's actions instead. So, how does Manikandan feel when his films are interpreted in unexpected ways?

"We definitely fell short in some areas, and we could have presented things in a more digestible way. Just like the film was an experience for the viewers, it was also a learning experience for us about what we can improve in our future projects. While working on Lover, director Prabhuram Vyas was meticulous with every shot, but we still had our flaws. What we learned from this is to be even more careful moving forward."

In Kudumbasthan, Manikandan takes on the role of a married guy dealing with the weight of his responsibilities. Nowadays, films are starting to dig into the real struggles of family life, from money issues to complicated relationships, challenging the traditional image of what a family should look like. Manikandan points out, “The typical happy family is often portrayed as everyone smiling together. But in Good Night, we didn’t show that, yet we still highlighted family values. In Lover, we had to represent Arun’s family just as much as Mohan’s in Good Night. In fact, we see more of Arun’s family than Mohan’s. It’s true that our cinema often overlooks the stories of dysfunctional families. However, we wanted to convey that regardless of your background, it’s crucial to keep working on yourself.”

It's a deep dive into the personality of someone who's a part of every family

What’s the aim of a movie like Kudumbasthan? The actor explains that a family man juggles a ton of responsibilities every day, and if he doesn’t manage to get everything done, it can make him feel like a failure. “It’s all about the gap between what’s expected of him and what he actually accomplishes. The struggles and challenges he faces while trying to fulfill those expectations often go unnoticed. The film will showcase this adventurous journey and the story behind it. Plus, it also sheds light on the challenges married women face and the effort they put in to blend into family life,” he shares. Highlighting the sacrifices people make for their families, Manikandan emphasizes that Kudumbasthan will explore the complexities of navigating these situations.

Manikandan shares that when he gets a script, it’s all laid out for him—story, character, situations, and emotions—so his job is just to bring it to life as the writer intended. He says, “It’s simpler than it seems. We’ve put in all the work, and as pros, it’s our duty to nail the performance.”

He also expresses his desire for mentorship, mentioning, “I often told Vetrimaaran sir about his mentor, Balu Mahendran. I remember how some people looked down on me back in the day. But working with Prasanna Balachandran, who acted and co-wrote Kudumbasthan, has been a huge highlight for me. On the professional front, the film is packed with laughs, and we’ve really tried to make sure the humor isn’t just random jokes. It’s a deep dive into a character that everyone can relate to in their own families. It’s a self-parody that lets people see themselves on screen and have a good time.”

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