Manjunath: A Journey from Interior Design to Cinema
Manjunath’s journey to the Tamil film industry is a story of a dream pursued against the odds. Born and raised in Paramakudi, with roots in a village near Sivakasi in Tamil Nadu, Manjunath’s path initially seemed far from cinema. After earning his B-Tech in civil engineering, he set his sights on interior design, moving to Chennai in 2013 for work. Yet even as he crafted interiors, his heart yearned for the movie world.
A die-hard Thalapathy Vijay fan and movie enthusiast, Manjunath found himself drawn to filmmaking. In between his design projects, he was making short films, building a network with assistant directors, and quietly paving his way into cinema. His short film “Kuruthi”, created during college, was a turning point. Audience appreciation poured in, igniting his passion and solidifying his ambition to be a filmmaker.
Manjunath’s talent and determination led him to an opportunity in 2018, when he worked as an assistant director on the film “Bow Bow”. This project opened doors for him, introducing him to Karthick, from Trichy Viacom. Through Karthick, Manjunath connected with Sinish, the producer of “Dikkilona” movie, starring Santhanam and directed by Karthik Yogi. He joined the team as an assistant director for “Dikkilona” movie and later worked as an associate director on “Vadakkupatti Ramasamy” (The Best Entertainer of 2024) with the same team.
For Manjunath, Director Karthik Yogi has been more than just a colleague—he regards him as his mentor and guide. Karthik Yogi is a guiding force, helping Manjunath navigate the world of cinema. Manjunath is a down-to-earth person and he is known for his practical approach and candidness. He believes that the challenges faced while pursuing one’s passion are not struggles but the steps toward success. “Everyone is financially zero until you prove yourself in cinema,” he often remarks, underscoring the difficulties of making it in the film industry.
Leaving a successful career in interior design wasn’t easy. It was a secure life, one where he earned well and had stability, but Manjunath chose his passion over comfort. Now, with his own script in hand, he’s preparing to step into the director’s chair for the first time. Manjunath’s commitment to his craft and his humble nature make him to build good contacts in the industry. As he embarks on this next chapter, Manjunath’s story stands as a reminder that dreams, no matter how far they may seem, are achievable with hard work and dedication.
