‘RawKing’ Manoj Manchu held a heartfelt and extensive press meet where he spoke about AIKYA DHAIRYA SENA SAMITHI, social responsibility, freedom of speech, films, politics, women empowerment, upcoming projects and more.
Starting the interaction, Manoj spoke about the beginning of the organization and the thought behind its formation.
“So we thought to go statewide and started with blood camps. On the first day, we launched it at Kukatpally in Hyderabad. Then we did it at Kurnool, and I thank everyone who came forward. It was also conducted in Kakinada. Then it was conducted at Tirupati, Vizag and some other places. This will not stop. It shall continue, and I really wish to continue it. It will be a platform for the people who want to give back and serve society. And it shall become a voice for the people who are voiceless in society.
And the reason we named it AIKYA DHAIRYA SENA SAMITHI is because I strongly believe that if we keep getting divided, it is going to end badly. This division is the gift left behind by the Britishers. So we have to stay united, and that is why AIKYA. We ourselves wanted to hold strong respect, responsibility and fear for this trust, so we named it after our children Dhairav and Devasena. AIKYA DHAIRYA SENA SAMITHI is also our own child, and it shall be brought up with such care and concern.”
The interaction then continued with a detailed Q&A session.
Q: Do you have any agenda? Protocols?
Manoj: “As of now, no andi. We are seeking professionals to shape up everything. We started in a very unorganized way, and now we have started organizing it. And it’s not like we are limited to only this; we are open to everything. People are reaching out to us for various sorts of help.
For example, yesterday we had an influencers’ meet. They mentioned that if they raise their voice against biggies, they are putting video strikes on us, and we are getting threatening calls. And I told them that the AIKYA organization will stand by them. We shall take it legally forward and also assured them that we shall safeguard their freedom of speech. We are going to be very strong about such things. We are not going to step back.”
Q: So we know Manoj as a hero, Rocking Star, and then we saw you as a co-star and antagonist. So what is Manoj now?
Manoj: “I’m an actor. Just an actor.”
Q: Do you want to come into politics?
Manoj: “What is there to newly come into it when I’m born in it? On the people’s side.”
Q: Who is the decision-maker for your things?
Manoj: “I stopped agreeing to do films in 2016 because too many people were getting involved. So, Manoj is the only person that gets involved, and it is solely mine only. Even my wife Mounika stands as support to me, but we don’t make decisions for each other.”
Q: Do you have any strong support, or are you doing it on your own?
Manoj: “Of course, we are doing it on our own. If there are certain things that are beyond our capacity, we are reaching out for support and raising fundraisers. Like I said before, we are structuring it into an organization.”
Q: So is there any political agenda to this?
Manoj: “Absolutely no. We have been doing the service for a very long time. It’s just that we felt it’s time to shape it as an organization and make it a platform. That’s all. No political agenda.”
Q: Can you speak about the women empowerment aspect of your organization?
Manoj: “I always stand up for women’s issues. Then, now and always. If I say that I stand up for everyone, it includes women too. I don’t have to specifically mention it.”
Q: Did you put in your own money for this?
Manoj: “Yes, for now we are bringing in our own money. For the future, we have to figure it out.”
Q: How special is your birthday?
Manoj: “Well, I have to say it is very special. Usually, I celebrate with Tarak gaaru and legendary Sirivennela Seetharama Sastry gaaru, whom we are missing very badly. He is immortal.”
Q: You are very active on social media to raise your voice. Recently, you also spoke about the Bandi Bhageerath issue too. How do you plan on reaching out and being available to everyone and every issue?
Manoj: “See, I’m not a superhero who can be available to everyone and everything all the time. I have my own life and things to take care of, and that is the reason this organization is formed. And this trust functions regardless of my availability.”
Q: Well, what about the social issues?
Manoj: “One hundred percent, we will be the voice for the voiceless.”
Q: How can people reach out to your organization?
Manoj: “On June 7th, with God’s grace, we are starting the movie *Rakshak. It shall have a grand ceremony. It is a women empowerment story, and I play a DCP. It addresses certain issues in society, how to handle them and how to take them forward. Director Naveen wrote a brilliant movie. He is debuting with this film, and he has been working on this for the last three years.*
And along with that film opening, we shall announce the trust details, contact numbers, emails, and I shall put forward our rules of functioning.”
Q: Is it limited to one place?
Manoj: “It works for Telugu people anywhere.”
Q: Tell us about David Reddy.
Manoj: “The film’s glimpse is going to come out in a couple of days. That itself will do the talking. We are done with 40% of the shoot. It is a very big large-scale film. Hunman Reddy and Venu Acharya are not compromising on any aspect. Recently, we went to Indore for a 20-day schedule. The CM of the state and the official authorities took care of us very well. I thank the MP and Indore government for supporting us.”
Q: Are you choreographing anything in these projects?
Manoj: “We have an excellent team, so there wasn’t that need for me. They are coming out really well.”
Q: Speak about your physical transformation.
Manoj: “Everything is hard when it comes to transformation, and even physical transformation comes with challenges. It was really hard to control myself during the first three weeks. Once that phase is crossed, you are good.”
Q: What did your father say?
Manoj: “How can anyone do anything without that? Of course, I have my father’s blessing.”
Q: Are your family issues resolved?
Manoj: “If you know whom to ask, ask them.”
Q: What about the movie What The Fish?
Manoj: “Unfortunately, the film is not happening. Me, Satya and Vennela Kishore were very much excited, but due to some casting issues it got cancelled. We tried a lot, but it didn’t happen.”
Q: Can you speak about Mohana Raga?
Manoj: “It is coming out really good. We are making an album with very good musicians and technicians. Four songs are already recorded, and four more are left to go. It might take another two to three months to come out.”
Q: Tarak’s birthday and your birthday are on the same day, and both teasers are releasing on the same day. Everyone is waiting for them. How do you feel about it?
Manoj: “I’m excited. When there is good content, it doesn’t matter how many are coming.”
Q: You started a toy-making company and said you wanted to expand it. Talk about that.
Manoj: “Yes, *Namasthe Toys is the name and Namasthe World is the brand. Mounika gaaru is starting it in the Telugu states and Bengaluru with sports toys. It is also a platform, and within a couple of weeks we shall come up with complete details about it, and she herself shall speak about it.”*
Q: Your family has a political legacy too. Are you guys planning to get into politics directly?
Manoj: “My wife will definitely get into direct politics and actively contest in the next elections.”
Q: Do you plan to stand for MAA elections?
Manoj: “No. Not for me!”
Closing the interaction on a grounded yet optimistic note, ‘RawKing’ Manoj Manchu reiterated that both his social initiatives and cinematic journey are moving forward with equal passion and responsibility. With AIKYA DHAIRYA SENA SAMITHI gradually expanding its reach across regions, Manoj emphasized that the organization will continue evolving as a people-first platform dedicated to service, support and social responsibility.
On the professional front, Manoj currently has an exciting and diverse slate of projects in progress. While the large-scale action film David Reddy is progressing rapidly with nearly 40% of the shoot completed, Rakshak is gearing up for its grand launch ceremony on June 7th.
Balancing Cinema, social responsibility and public outreach simultaneously, ‘RawKing’ Manoj Manchu appears to be entering a new phase – one driven not just by screen presence, but by purpose, accountability and connection with the people.
