Kalabhavan Mani, actor, is all set to add to the excitement of the Nehru Trophy Boat Race on Punnamada Lake in Alappuzha on August 8.

The Kavil Kadavu course of the Kallada river in Kollam, on Sunday, saw what was in store when he arrived to take charge as captain of Karichal Chundan, which lifted the trophy last year.

A 13-time winner, the snake boat, under Mani’s captaincy, will be powered by rowers from the Kollam Town Boat Club. The Jesus Boat Club, Kollam, won it the trophy last year.

Mani’s arrival not only pepped up the 89-strong rowing team but also made a good part of Munroe Thuruthu wear a festive look. With his folk songs, Mani enthralled rowers and onlookers alike while launching the training for the grand event on August 8.

“My ‘Karimadi Kuttanmars’ [name of one of his films is Karumadi Kuttan] will enable Karichal to lift this year’s Nehru Trophy too,” he said with confidence while talking to presspersons.

As Mani entered the boat and pounded the keel rhythmically, the rowers went into a frenzy cutting through the Kallada waters synchronously with their oars. At Punnamada, the boat will have to cover 1.35 km in five minutes. At the trial venue, Mani and his team are trying to clock 1.5 km in that time. The people of Munroe Thuruthu say the training exercise was like watching the boat race itself.