From ‘Lucifer’ to ‘Empuraan’: Prithviraj Sukumaran’s rise as a bold filmmaker

Prithviraj Sukumaran was born into a film family as the son of actors Sukumaran and Mallika Sukumaran. He made his acting debut with Ranjith's superhit drama 'Nandanam' in 2002.While his early career saw mixed results and trolls, he soon earned much love from the audience with Lal Jose' 'Classmates'.

It became the highest-grossing Malayalam film of that year.

The same year, he earned the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for 'Vaasthavam'.

Versatile performances across industries

Prithviraj has stepped into several memorable roles across Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu cinema.His filmography includes several superhit films like 'Ennu Ninte Moideen', 'Ayyappanum Koshiyum', 'Jana Gana Mana', 'Aadujeevitham: The Goat Life' and many more.

Directorial success with 'Lucifer' franchise

Prithviraj made a grand directorial debut with 'Lucifer', which starred Mohanlal in the lead. The political action thriller emerged as one of Malayalam cinema’s biggest blockbusters, and it also helped Mohanlal rise above the criticisms he faced for 'Odiyan' which was released around the same time.

Prithviraj followed it up with 'Bro Daddy', a light-hearted family entertainer that premiered on OTT. His third directorial venture, 'L2: Empuraan', expanded the scale further with pan-India ambitions.

Mohanlal’s lesson that changed his perspective

In an earlier conversation with India Today, Prithviraj opened up about the lessons he learned while working with Mohanlal. He said, “He really opened my eyes about how I should be with my directors.”Recalling an incident, he shared that Mohanlal would approach him every morning on set and ask, “So what should I do?” Initially, Prithviraj assumed the senior actor was asking for a technical breakdown. “I said, ‘This is a shot, you know, there's a track coming from left to right, and you're sitting there,’” he recalled.However, Mohanlal clarified his intent by asking again, “Okay, but what should I do?” That moment made Prithviraj realise the importance of understanding the director’s vision.The 'Khalifa' actor explained, “It’s a wonderful lesson for an actor because it’s very important to realise that you are but an instrument to create the director's vision. Your ultimate goal as an actor should be to help the director bring that vision to life.

Of course, you bring in your interpretation, your layer to it.”

New projects and future plans

Prithviraj also revealed how directing has changed his approach to acting. Speaking about his experience, he said, “Especially since I’ve started directing, I’ve realised I need to switch off the technician in me when I’m acting. I wasn’t able to do that completely when I was only an actor. But now, after turning director, I can do it comfortably. It’s strange, but the making of this film has helped me do that.”Meanwhile, Mallika Sukumaran recently shared that her son has received offers to direct three major films. She told Reporter website, “I do not know anything more. He will reach Kochi soon. After the shoot of 'Nobody', he has the Rajamouli film, and then 'Khalifa'. After that he will be in Kochi. Then you can ask him directly about the films he is directing. I only know a few small one-line ideas of those films. I do not know the full stories.

I never ask. I like to watch his films in theatres just like all of you, without knowing anything.”She also added with a touch of humour, “When Raju tells the story of a film he is going to direct, I ask him, ‘Will someone die at the end?’ Then he says, ‘Why are you asking that, Amma?’ It is because I am getting old now. That is why I feel like asking these things. But now many films have happy endings, so it is fine.”Additionally, Indrajith Sukumaran is also preparing to step into direction, with a script reportedly ready.Meanwhile, Prithviraj will be next seen in SS Rajamouli's 'Varanasi'.