Fernando S Manoharan aka Manikandan – The Resilient Screen Writer
Fernando S Manoharan aka Manikandan, an aspiring writer from Tiruchirappalli. From a young age, he was deeply inclined toward the arts, showing a natural talent during his school days. Unsure of what path to pursue after 12th standard schooling, he would often travel to Chennai on weekends to visit friends. During weekdays, he supported himself with part-time jobs.
Eventually, Fernando S Manoharan moved to Chennai to study Visual Communication (Viscom), hoping to carve a path in the creative field. His early attempt at a short film was met with mockery, a setback that pushed him to refocus his passion on writing. Determined to learn the craft, he began reading novels to understand the fundamentals of storytelling.
Fernando S Manoharan started his career in the film industry as an Assistant Director (AD) with Director Nanthini JS. He later worked as an Associate Director on the film Bruce Lee with Debut Director Prasanth Paandiyaraj. Prasanth Paandiyaraj currently a well-known Director in Tamil cinema post his Blockbuster Web series Vilangu. However, Fernando S Manoharan’s career soon hit a rough patch. In search of new opportunities, he moved to Hyderabad, but the struggles continued. With perseverance, he returned to Chennai and resumed work as an AD. Then the pandemic struck, shifting the industry landscape.
During this time, Fernando S Manoharan pivoted to writing for television, which helped him regain his momentum. His persistence paid off, and he contributed as a writer to films like Maaman and Inspector Rishi. Today, despite facing numerous setbacks, Fernando has established himself as a dedicated and resilient writer with many exciting projects ahead.
He is also a songwriter. His latest track, “Vizhuthe Thala Vizhuthe” — sung by Sean Roldan for the film Maaman — has struck a chord with audiences, trending in reels and catching attention across platforms.
Fernando S Manoharan is currently serving as Executive Producer at Kalaignar TV, while simultaneously lending his talent as a writer to several films. Now, he stands on the cusp of an exciting new chapter — directing his very first feature. His journey is a true testament to perseverance and the art of sustaining one’s passion over time.
