# Manchu Manoj

Manchu Manoj Kumar (born 20 May 1983) is an Indian actor who works in Telugu cinema. He first appeared at the age of ten as a child artist in Major Chandrakanth. He made his film debut in a leading role with Donga Dongadi in 2004. He received the state Nandi Special Jury Award for his performance in box-office success Bindaas (2010). He also starred in Vedam (2010), Potugadu (2013), and Pandavulu Pandavulu Thummeda (2014).

## Early life

Manchu Manoj was born on 20 May 1983, to Telugu film actor Mohan Babu and Nirmala Devi. He has two elder paternal half-siblings, Lakshmi Manchu, and Vishnu, who are both actors and producers.

## Career

Manoj worked as a child actor in films starring his father Mohan Babu and is shown in flashbacks.
He debuted in the 2004 film Donga Dongadi. In 2005, he appeared in Sri and next in Raju Bhai (2007). His film Nenu Meeku Telusa? was an average grosser, but was known for its melodious music. In 2009, his first film Prayanam, under the direction of Chandra Sekhar Yeleti did moderately well. His first film in 2010, Bindaas, turned out to be the biggest hit of his career. Another film in 2010, Vedam, was a critical and commercial success. He gained accolades for his role in Vedam. In 2012, he starred in Mr. Nookayya and Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara?. In March 2013, he announced 5 films. His subsequent releases were Potugadu, Pandavulu Pandavulu Tummeda and Current Theega. After taking a long break from films, in January 2023, Manchu Manoj announced his first film in 6 years titled What The Fish directed by Vishnu and produced by Six Studios.

## Personal life

In May 2015, Manoj married his girlfriend Pranathi Reddy. In 2017, Manoj started a foundation called Manoj Kumar's Unity to collect funds for the development of farmers. He remarried on 3 March 2023 to the youngest daughter of Bhuma Nagi Reddy and Shobha Nagi Reddy, Bhuma Mounika, both former Members of the Legislative Assembly. Mounika has a 5–6 years old son from her previous marriage. On 13 April 2024, Manoj and Mounika announced that they were blessed with a baby girl. On December 2024, Manoj had long dispute with his father over properties.

## Filmography

Key :
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
| 1993 | Major Chandrakanth | Major Chandrakanth's grandson | Child actor |
| 1994 | Punya Bhoomi Naa Desam | young Bharath | Child actor |
| 1997 | Adavilo Anna | Manoj | Child actor |
| 1998 | Khaidi Garu | Raju | Child actor |
| 1998 | Raayudu | — | as presenter |
| 2004 | Donga Dongadi | Vasu | CineMAA Awards Best Male Debut |
| 2005 | Political Rowdy | Dancer | Special appearance; also presenter |
| 2005 | Sri | Sri | |
| 2007 | Raju Bhai | Raju Bhai | |
| 2008 | Nenu Meeku Telusa? | Adithya | |
| 2009 | Prayanam | Dhruv | |
| 2010 | Bindaas | Ajay | Nandi Special Jury Award |
| 2010 | Vedam | Vivek Chakravarthy | |
| 2010 | Jhummandi Naadam | Balu | |
| 2012 | Mr. Nookayya | Nookayya | Also lyricist |
| 2012 | Uu Kodathara? Ulikki Padathara? | Manoj | |
| 2013 | Potugadu | Govindu | |
| 2014 | Pandavulu Pandavulu Tummeda | Ajay | |
| 2014 | Current Theega | Raju | |
| 2014 | A day in the life of Lakshmi Manchu's feet | Himself | Short film |
| 2015 | Dongaata | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2015 | Superstar Kidnap | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2016 | Shourya | Shourya | |
| 2016 | Attack | Radha Krishna | |
| 2017 | Gunturodu | Kanna | |
| 2017 | Okkadu Migiladu | Surya | |
| 2018 | Idi Naa Love Story | Himself | Cameo appearance |
| 2018 | Operation 2019 | Police officer | Cameo appearance |
| 2025 | Mirai † | The Black Sword | Filming |
| TBA | What the Fish † | TBA | Filming |
| TBA | Bhairavam † | TBA | Filming |

### Television

| Year | Title | Role | Network | Ref. |
| 2023–2024 | Ustaad | Host | ETV Win | |