My film has nothing to do with Manju’s personal life: Rosshan Andrrews

The social media is buzzing with speculations regarding the similarity between Rosshan Andrrew’s Manju Warrier-starrer How Old Are You, and the real life of the actress. However, Manju and the film crew have refrained from discussing anything about her private life, even in the movie’s promotional interviews. Speaking to Kochi Times, director Rosshan Andrrews clears the air regarding the various rumours surrounding the reel and real life connections of his film.
“My film has nothing to do with Manju’s personal life. Manju has never discussed anything about her personal life either with Sanjay, Bobby (scriptwriters) or me. She has not ever mentioned about her husband Dileep without respect, and only refers to him as Dileepettan. Moreover, Dileep and I have no mutual friends,” says the director.
“Initially, there were people who compared How Old Are You to English Vinglish. Then I used to say that if inspiration is what we are talking about, Chinthavishttayaya Shyamala is a film that inspired me 100 per cent. Later, there were rumours that the film is Dileep’s story, as the daughter stays with her father. Malayalam cinema always had such plots. Manivathoorile Aayiram Sivarathrikal, PookkaalamVaravaayi and Ente Mamattikutti Ammakku are a few examples. At least 20 films can be easily picked out from our industry, which had this situation,” Rosshan explains.
The director also reveals that he had tried calling Dileep a few times before making the film, but the actor was busy. However, he clarifies that none of Dileep’s circles or fans ever tried to hamper the film’s successful run. “I used to get calls before release saying that Dileep fans will hoot and ruin the screening. I contacted Dileep’s friend Udayakrishnan and he said that the news is baseless, and assured that there will be no negative moves from his circle,” says Rosshan.
In that case, who are the ones behind the spicy speculations? According to Rosshan, they come from outsiders, who have no idea about any truth. “If they feel that the film reflects Manju’s true life, why can’t they be positive and wish its climax — where the husband and wife unite —comes true?” Rosshan says.
He says if the viewers feel that the movie is a true story, it is a success. “If audience relate to our film after watching it, I rate it as success. I even got phone calls from three couples who watched it saying that the movie saved their marriages, which were on the verge of divorce. I wish the detractors focused on the positivity the film has managed to spread,” he signs off.