Basic Details

From mechanical engineering in Payyannur to impactful cinema in Kerala, Anuraj Manohar emerged as a bold storyteller in Malayalam filmmaking. Born on March 3, 1989, in Kannur, he began as an assistant director before making his directorial debut with the critically acclaimed Ishq (2019), followed by the powerful socio-political drama Narivetta (2025). This anuraj manohar biography reveals his journey: education, early struggles, family, and his rise as a visionary filmmaker.

Physical Stats and More

Biography

Anuraj Manohar was born in Payyannur, Kannur, and pursued his schooling in local institutions before earning a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Kannur University. Despite family expectations, his passion for storytelling led him to Mumbai and Kerala, where he worked as an assistant director under filmmakers like Lijo Jose Pellissery, B. Unnikrishnan, and others for nearly a decade before debuting with Ishq in 2019—the film launched his career with critical acclaim for addressing social conflict and gender-based norms.

His latest directorial venture, Narivetta (released May 16, 2025), is a political thriller inspired by the 2003 Muthanga tribal protest, featuring Tovino Thomas in a transformative lead role. The film underlines Anuraj’s skill at blending social consciousness with emotionally resonant cinema.

Relationships & More

Career

Year	Film	Notes
2019	Ishq	Directorial debut; a romantic thriller by Ratheesh Ravi with a social message.
2025	Narivetta	Political drama on tribal land rights starring Tovino Thomas, Cheran, and Suraj Venjaramoodu.
Upcoming	Shekhara Varma Rajavu	With Nivin Pauly in lead, explores caste politics and legal drama.

Anuraj’s assistant director credits include films like Pramani, Grandmaster, Pullikaran Staraa, Kuttanadan Marpappa, and Bonsai—providing hands‑on learning before stepping behind the camera himself.

Other Details

Contributions Beyond Work

Anuraj Manohar is part of the new wave of Malayalam directors tackling relevant social themes—gender, caste, tribal rights—with sensitivity and intelligence. His ability to combine emotional resonance with cinematic integrity makes his work—from Ishq to Narivetta—significant. Planned future projects continue this trajectory.

The Legacy of Anuraj Manohar

With only two films released (Ishq and Narivetta) and more in development, Anuraj Manohar stands as a thoughtful, socially conscious filmmaker. His journey from a mechanical engineer to a director tackling systemic injustice and cultural conflict reflects a rare commitment. As fans await Shekhara Varma Rajavu and beyond—what themes or stories would you like him to explore next? Share your thoughts below!

Other Facts:

• Transitioned from mechanical engineering to filmmaking, turning a childhood passion into a career.
• Declined several mainstream offers between 2019–2025, only choosing scripts that emotionally resonated with him.
• Collaborated closely with Tovino Thomas in Narivetta, crediting their personal friendship and mutual trust in realizing a challenging protagonist arc.
• Has an upcoming project Shekhara Varma Rajavu, expected to address caste, ego, and legal battles—script penned by S. Ranjith with Nivin Pauly attached.