'I Always Feel Like I'm Living Inside a Film'

Actor Anand Manmadhan reflects on his journey from a struggling actor to someone finding his footing in the industry, the performances that shaped him, the lessons learned along the way, and more

- Vivek Santhosh

NAND MANMADHAN's star is finally rising, but the journey to this moment was anything but easy. Years of struggle and perseverance led him to Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022), a film that brought him well-deserved recognition. With Ponman, he took on the role of Bruno, an arrogant yet emotionally vulnerable political youth worker, earning a newfound appreciation. Soon after, we saw him as a charming yet wily contractor named Jiji in the JioHotstar series Love Under Construction, adding another memorable performance to his steadily building portfolio.

Last year, Anand also debuted as a screenwriter with Sthanarthi Sreekuttan (2024), which he co-wrote with a bunch of close friends.

To sustain himself before his breakthrough, Anand even worked as a Swiggy delivery boy, riding through the city while holding on to his passion for acting. His love for cinema began in childhood, sparked by the Tamil film Nayakan (1987), which left a lasting impression.

"At first, I didn't get it—it wasn't my kind of film. But something about it stuck with me, especially Kamal Haasan's performance. That curiosity led me to where I am now," he recalls excitedly.

As Ponman premieres on JioHotstar today, Anand reflects on the struggles, the lessons, the unwavering belief that brought him here and more.

Excerpts:

How did you get your first major audition opportunity?

I don't remember my first audition, but one that really stayed with me was for Mumbai Police in 2012. It changed my life, even though I didn't get the part. The role was for Prithviraj's gay partner in the film. Rosshan (Andrews) sir was there and immediately said, "This role doesn't suit you. Let's try something else." Since I had come from Trivandrum, I was asked to perform anyway. After a few rounds, he said, "Anand, you're a good actor." That praise kept me going.