He has been part of films like Samudhiram (2001), Kadal Pookkal (2001), Alli Arjuna (2002), Varushamellam Vasantham (2002), Eera Nilam (2003), Annakodi (2013) and Baby (2015).
He then enacted the lead role in Saran's Alli Arjuna, alongside Richa Pallod, before starring in the low budget productions Varushamellam Vasantham and Pallavan, which failed to achieve commercial success.
[2] He worked as an assistant to his father in films such as Final Cut of Director and noted filmmaker Mani Ratnam in Bombay.
In 2012, his father signed him up to replace Ameer in his production Annakodiyum Kodiveeranum, as an antagonist, thus marking a return to films after a seven-year sabbatical.
On 19 November 2006, Manoj married his longtime friend actress Nandana, who has appeared in Tamil films such as ABCD and Success.