Manoj K Jayan recalls ‘saving’ Manju Warrier’s life from speeding train during Sallapam shoot: ‘Had my hand even slightly loosened…’

Although her career didn’t quite take off as expected after her return to cinema following a 15-year hiatus, Manju Warrier continues to be a household name in Kerala to this day. The main reason for this is that many of her impactful and stunning performances from the first phase of her career remain etched in the hearts of Malayalees. From Thooval Kottaram, Kaliveedu, Ee Puzhayum Kadannu, Irattakuttikalude Achan, Krishnagudiyil Oru Pranayakalathu and Kaliyattam to Aaraam Thampuran, Pranayavarnangal, Daya, Kanmadam, Summer in Bethlehem, Pathram and Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu, almost all the films she did in the first four years of her career — before taking a long break following her marriage — are still cherished by moviegoers, particularly for her performances.

Although she made her film debut with director Mohan‘s Sakshyam (1995), it was Sundar Das‘ Sallapam (1996), penned by legendary screenwriter-director AK Lohithadas, that truly established her as an actor. Her stirring performance as Radha received widespread acclaim and almost instantly secured her a place among Malayalam cinema‘s most promising young talents. Despite it being just her second film, and the presence of several established character actors, Manju ensured she left a lasting impression.

Actor Manoj K Jayan, who played a key role alongside Manju in Sallapam, once took a trip down memory lane, recalling a chilling incident that occurred on set. His account not only highlighted Manju‘s deep dedication to the craft but also underscored the risks involved in acting when the timing of artistes is not correct.

“Everyone watching realised immediately that she was operating on another level. Sallapam was her first outing as a heroine, yet no one would have guessed. During that final shot, she simply surrendered to the character, and the situation slipped out of control,” he recalled during a chat with a television channel. The scene featured Manju‘s character attempting to end her life by jumping in front of a speeding train, with Manoj’s character trying to pull her away.

Recalling how he gripped her with all his strength, Manoj said, “Had my hand even slightly loosened, she would have gone under the wheels. I told myself I couldn’t let go-whatever happened.” When the shot was finally canned, he said he collapsed, completely drained. “I was so shaken, I half-felt like giving her a scolding. But the shot was perfect, and the entire unit broke into applause. If I had not been there that day, Malayalam cinema might have lost a future icon before she had truly begun.”

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