‘I first knew him as my Chief Minister during childhood’: Unni Mukundan on PM Modi

Thiruvananthapuram: Malayalam actor Unni Mukundan, who grew up in Ahmedabad, recalls first knowing Narendra Modi as Gujarat’s Chief Minister. Decades later, he is set to portray Modi on screen in the upcoming multilingual biopic Maa Vande, directed by Kranthi Kumar CH.

Announcing the project on the Prime Minister’s birthday, Mukundan shared the news on Instagram and Facebook. “I'm humbled to share that I will be portraying the Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi ji, in the upcoming film Maa Vande, directed by @kranthikumarch and produced by @maavandemovie,” he wrote.

Personal connection

Mukundan, who received widespread acclaim following the release of the Malayalam action film Marco, reflected on his early impressions of Modi.

“Having grown up in Ahmedabad, I first knew him as my Chief Minister during my childhood. Years later, in April 2023, I had the privilege of meeting him in person, a moment that left an indelible mark on me,” he said.

The actor described stepping into the role as both overwhelming and inspiring. “His political journey has been nothing short of extraordinary, but in this film, we aim to explore the man beyond the statesman, especially his profound bond with his mother, who shaped his character and spirit,” Mukundan explained.

Words that stayed with him

Mukundan also recalled a personal interaction with the Prime Minister. “In Gujarati, he said: ‘Jhookvanu Nahi,’ which means ‘Never Bow Down.’ Those words have been a source of strength and resolve for me ever since,” he said.

The actor added that Maa Vande will be made in every major Indian language and released worldwide. Concluding his post, he wrote: “On this special occasion, I join the nation in wishing our Honourable Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Damodardas Modi ji, a very Happy 75th Birthday.”