Real Name: His birth name is Mailasandra Hanumappa Manjunatha Reddy, but he became popularly known as Thriller Manju after his reputation for high-octane stunts.

Village Roots: He was born in Mailasandra village near Bangalore, where his father was the village chief before moving to the city.

Martial Arts Training: Manju is a trained martial artist, which gave him the edge to design realistic and daring stunt sequences.

First Break: He entered the Kannada film industry as a stunt coordinator with the movie Shhh (1993), which brought him recognition.

Cult Classic Director: His directorial debut Police Story (1996) became a blockbuster hit and is still remembered as one of the most iconic action films in Kannada cinema.

Multitalented Personality: Apart from acting and directing, he has also worked as a screenwriter and choreographer, showcasing his versatility.

Cross-Industry Work: Though mainly associated with Kannada films, he has also contributed to Telugu and Tamil cinema, expanding his influence.

Award Recognition: He won the Innovative Film Award for Best Stunt Director in 2010, honoring his groundbreaking stunt choreography.

Risk-Taker: Known for performing dangerous stunts without body doubles, he earned the nickname “Thriller” for his fearless approach.

Family Background: He has two siblings—an elder brother Gurumurthy and a younger sister Padmavati.