'I said it jokingly, but they didn't consider me': Manju Warrier reveals she was once offered 'Kaikkottum Kandittilla' — on one cheeky condition

The grand finale of the musical reality show Super Star Senior turned into a nostalgic trip down memory lane on Sunday, as actress Manju Warrier and music director Shaan Rahman recalled a little-known story from the making of the 2015 hit Vadakkan Selfie — one involving a song, a joking condition, and a chance meeting at an airport.

It was Manju who set the ball rolling, reminding Shaan of an offer she had once received. "Shaan, do you remember inviting me to sing a song in Vadakkan Selfie? It became a huge hit," she said on stage.

Shaan confirmed that the track in question was the chart-topping 'Kaikkottum Kandittilla' and proceeded to recount how the idea had first come up during a casual team discussion.

"We were all sitting together discussing whom to approach for the song when the idea of asking Manju chechi came up. We thought it would be great if she sang it. But Manju chechi jokingly said that she would sing it if she also got a role in the film,"

Shaan recalled, drawing laughter from the audience and fellow judges.

Manju, for her part, admitted with a smile that her playful condition cost her the song. "I said it jokingly, but they didn't consider me for the song," she said, leaving everyone on stage in splits.

Gracious in hindsight, the actress also made it a point to praise the singer who ultimately lent her voice to the track. "Vaikom Vijayalakshmi sang it, and she sang it so beautifully," Manju said.

Shaan then shared another amusing anecdote — a chance encounter with Manju at Chennai airport after the song had become a phenomenon.

"One day, after the song became a hit, I saw Manju chechi at Chennai airport. She called out to me, and I wondered if she was actually calling me, so I went closer to her. She then asked me, 'Wasn't the song you once invited me to sing Kaikkottum Kandittilla?' When I said yes, she told me that she had sung the song,"

he recalled, prompting fresh rounds of laughter.

Manju wrapped up the revelation by confessing that when she finally heard the finished song, she genuinely felt she should have been the one behind the mic.

About the show

For those unfamiliar, Super Star Senior is a musical reality show that crowns talented senior singers. Its grand finale featured music directors Sharreth and Shaan Rahman, along with Manjari and M. G. Sreekumar, as judges, while Manju Warrier appeared as a guest judge. The finale was hosted by Parvathy Babu.

The warm banter between Manju and Shaan provided a perfect closing moment for the season — a reminder that behind many beloved hits lie stories that almost never were.

Source: Times of India