Breaking from his screen persona of charm and wit, Malayalam superstar Manian Pillai Raju finds himself in handcuffs following a brazen hit-and-run in Thiruvananthapuram. The incident, which left two motorcyclists in critical condition, has police vowing no leniency despite his stature.
At approximately 9:30 PM near Trivandrum Club, Raju’s car collided violently with a Royal Enfield bike, its riders sustaining grievous wounds. Rather than halting, the vehicle fled, but forensic evidence from the number plate sealed the actor’s fate. Arrested on spot charges of reckless driving and hit-and-run, he now awaits blood test outcomes that could add DUI to the docket.
The injured parties languish in hospital, their prognosis uncertain amid intensive care. This tragedy has ignited debates on celebrity privilege versus public responsibility. Raju’s medical evaluation post-arrest is routine, yet pivotal for case progression.
A stalwart of Mollywood, Raju debuted in 1976 with ‘Mohiniyattam’ and skyrocketed post-1981’s ‘Manianpilla Adhava Manianpilla.’ With over 400 films under his belt—from light-hearted romps to intense narratives—plus productions like ‘Hai Auto’ (1990), ‘Anandabhadram’ (2005), and ‘Pavada’ (2015), his contributions are unmatched.
As investigations deepen, the industry watches warily. This could redefine Raju’s narrative, urging stricter vigilance on roads. Kerala’s traffic enforcers stand firm: no one is above the law.