“Ta na na, na na na na na.” The title track of the famous Malgudi Days brings back fond memories of the magical saga of the mischievous 10-year-old Swami. Nowadays one does not hear much about Manjunath, who won everyone’s hearts by playing the lively character that was created by the legendary RK Narayan and brought to life with Shankar Nag’s superb direction.
About two decades since he played the role, the child with the impish smile and expressive eyes has become a smart-talking executive.
Manjunath is now enjoying his role as the head of public relations and liaison of the Bangalore-Mysore Infrastructure Corridor Project (BMICP).
“I feel old now,” says Manjunath with the familiar smile. “After 19 years of television, 68 movies and a number of awards, I feel I have grown old. I still miss those days, but the success and the limelight made me lonely,” he says in a nostalgic tone.
“I enjoyed enacting Swami, as it meant no school, lots of chocolates and being pampered by senior costars,” says Manjunath wistfully.
“However, I continued my studies simultaneously,” he says, adding that basic education is must for all.
“I will never pressurise my child.
Everybody is not designed to be an engineer or doctor. There is no second chance in life. One should choose the profession he/she enjoys,” says Manjunath and with the familiar, puckish smile.
“The whole episode gave me a sense of maturity, as I saw the world at a fairly young age,” he says.
“Money was another factor that prompted me to act in the series.
I was earning for my family and my schoolmates sympathised with me, as I had to work as well as study.
Television was not the same then,” Manjunath recalls.
For the boy who became a household name, family and friends mean more than success.
“The lonely feeling made me quit the field,” says Manjunath.
Many people would wish he had continued playing the role that made him famous.