Mohan Babu was howling when he got to know about co-star Soundarya’s death, shares Vishnu Manchu: ‘Our family went through a lot of pain and trauma’

Mohan Babu with Soundarya in Siva Shankar. (Photo: IMDb)

Talking about Mohan Babu’s bond with the late actor, Vishnu shared, “Soundarya was very close to my father. My dad stopped his film midway because of Soundarya’s death. I remember very clearly I was in the editing room when someone came and told me, ‘Soundarya is no more.’ I couldn’t believe it. I was like, ‘What are you saying? She is supposed to come shoot with us in three days… how can this be possible?’ Then they told me she died in a plane crash.”

“At this time, dad was shooting for a film. Everyone on his film set got to know about her death except my father. Nobody dared break this news to him. I quietly went and sat next to him. He asked me, ‘What happened?’ I looked at the director who gestured at me to break the news to him and I did. As soon as I told my father, he began to howl. He was very close to her,” he added.

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Sharing how these allegations impacted the family, Vishnu said, “It was very strange when an incident so old suddenly resurfaced and became the national news. It was very hurtful. The mad man is not the main culprit, but the media who gave him footage. There are many mad men in this country. We can’t give footage to all. Our family went through a lot of pain and trauma when this happened.”

The incident even forced the Manchu family to contact Soundarya’s husband Raghu GS to give a statement to dismiss the complaint. He said, “For the last 15 years, we were not in touch with Soundarya’s husband. We had to call him. I said, ‘Uncle, I am sorry for troubling you like this but you will have to give a statement.’ Even he was upset with the news. He has moved on with another marriage and family.”

Mohan Babu and Soundarya in Siva Shankar. (Photo: IMDb)

Vishnu said that his family has become immune to controversy. “I am born in this industry. I am not new to controversies or rumours that come against my father. My father has been controversy’s favourite child. Today, we just take it by a stride. Now, even my children are used to it. Luckily, I am not linked with any pretty woman but there are lot of other things that come into the foray where I hope and pray my kids become entertainers. They are immune to it,” he said.

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He, however, confessed, “I cannot say it doesn’t bother me, but I am immune to it. I can’t be worried about what people think about us. This won’t help me go anywhere.”

Their family drama became public when Vishnu Manchu’s half brother Manoj protested outside Mohan Babu’s office, demanding a house. Previously, Lakshmi Manchu had said that her father was against her joining the film business. Vishnu Manchu is currently gearing up for the release of his mythological drama, Kannappa. The film, also starring Prabhas, Mohanlal, and Akshay Kumar in important roles, will hit the big screens on June 27.