Manju Warrier holds the title of ‘Lady Superstar’ of the Malayalam film industry. She entered the Malayalam film industry through Sallapam scripted by Lohithadas and directed by Sunderdas. It was the beginning of the Manju Warrier era. Manju who returned after a hiatus, continued to astonish the audience once again.

An interview of Sunderdas to a private channel is getting noticed now. He said that he and Lohithadas had thought of the second part of Sallapam. Sunderdas is heard saying that it was Dileep who took the initiative. A main role was kept apart for Manju but not as an actress.

Sunderdas’ words

‘Those who knew the friendship between Lohithadas and me have often asked why a film did not happen after Sallapam. If I had insisted, Lohi would have scripted. The problem was that we were like a family. It was often postponed as we thought of giving it to guests first. The truth is that it did not happen later. Dileep called me one day and asked whether Lohiyettan would do a film for them. I replied saying that he would do.

When I told this to Lohithadas, he immediately agreed to do the film. When I called Dileep to convey this, he asked if it could be the second part of Sallapam. Though disagreed first, later thought it would be a hit commercially. He immediately told me then that a ‘second part will not happen’. Shashi Kumar is the most weakest of my heroes. Lohi then asked me how the second part of the film will happen. He said he will think about it when I gave him some ideas.

When I called him later, he said that he has thought about a story, then he asked me whether Manju would act. When I told this to Dileep, he said that it will not happen. But Manju will produce the film, Dileep said. On a sivaratri day, Dileep and Manju reached Lohithadas’ house and gave advance to both of us. But that film did not happen.’