 Manish then signed on to appear in the lead role of P. C. Sreeram's "Vaanam Vasappadum" (2004) and was attached to the project for six months, before being dropped due to his strong Hindi accent.The role was eventually taken by Karthik Kumar.Manish starred in his first lead role through the Kannada film "Jootata" (2005), appearing alongside Dhyan and Richa Pallod.