Prithviraj Sukumaran: It's wonderful to see Akshay Kumar sir and Tiger Shroff do what they are doing in 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan' - Exclusive!

In an exclusive interview with ETimes, the versatile and acclaimed actor,

Prithviraj Sukumaran

, delved into the intricacies of his upcoming film '

Salaar

' directed by

Prashant Neel

, and shared some interesting insights into his experiences portraying the character of Varadaraja Mannar.
Prithviraj also expressed his thoughts on the unique aspects of the film's storyline, shedding light on the unexpected narrative twists and the intense drama that lies beneath the grandeur of the action-packed scenes.

Join us as we explore Prithviraj's journey into the world of 'Salaar', his camaraderie with co-star

Prabhas

, and his perspective on the much-anticipated box office clash between 'Salaar' and Shah Rukh Khan's 'Dunki'. Additionally, the national award winning actor provided an updates on his ongoing projects, including 'Lucifer 2' and the eagerly awaited 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan', offering a glimpse into the diverse roles that continue to shape his prolific career in the film industry. Below are the excerpts:

What new are you bringing to the table this time?

Me? I am only bringing myself, and I hope I come across as new. But 'Salaar' is a very exciting film to be part of. Obvious reasons are that it's a Prashant Neel film, has Prabhas leading the cast, and is just a massive, massive piece of cinema. It is a very exciting film for me on paper. At a script level, it's very interesting. It's pleasantly surprising because, you know, when I first heard that Prashant wants to pitch a character in 'Salaar' to me, I was least expecting it to be a film about two friends and the bond between them. I didn't think that was the kind of film he would be making with Prabhas after having done the iconic KGF franchise. So, that was a pleasant surprise, and I think that is what will surprise the audience in a pleasant way. Because on top of all the spectacular action and the big sets and the huge production value, it is an intense, intricate drama. The drama within the plot of 'Salaar' really works. So, yeah, I'm very excited. I'm looking forward to how people receive the film on the 22nd of this month.

The storyline revolves around two friends whose relationship takes a tumultuous turn, leading to a conflict. What prompts the rift between them?
Yeah, if I told you that, then what is the point in the audience watching the film? That is what the film is about.
We've witnessed various portrayals from you in your past films. In this particular movie, your appearance takes on a unique persona, notably with the addition of a nose ring. How at ease were you with this distinct transformation?
Was I comfortable? No, it was very uncomfortable. But the point that most impressed me about the styling of the film is that this whole appearance with the jewelry and the clothing and everything is not just there for the aesthetic value of it. Yeah, it looks very cool. But when you watch the film, you will know that each piece of jewelry has significance. What I wear on my arm has a story. It's very deeply entrenched in the history of this fictional place called Khansar. Why are the people there dressed that way? So, there is a lot of thought that has gone into the styling of the film, which is very impressive. Prashant and his team have thought about a 1000-year-old history for this fictional place called Khansar to make this particular film. So, that was very impressive. The work that I did for the film is pretty much understanding Prashant's vision as best as I could. Even Prashant is not a filmmaker who believes in a lot of prep in terms of workshops. He doesn't shoot to a storyboard. He is very instinctive. He discovers the moments as we shoot on the set. And he can afford to do that because he shoots very fast. He is not a filmmaker who takes a lot of time setting up his shots. His team, from Bhuvan, the cinematographer, all the way to the last art assistant, is very fast and quick in turning things around. So, my whole assignment in terms of preparing for the character was mostly based on understanding what Prashant saw in the film. Understanding Prashant's idea about Varadaraja Mannar, my character, and then bringing my own interpretation to it.
During a recent interview, you mentioned that Prashant Neel referred to you as his assistant director and acknowledged that 'Salaar' would not have come to fruition without your involvement- your comment
Your comment on it. He is just being nice. I mean, of course, he is Prashant Neel. He could probably go to any actor in the country. Let's face it; he is probably one of the most wanted filmmakers in the country. But my respect for him grew so much when I understood how closely, emotionally attached he is to the character. When he sees a face for a character, he really wants that face. You know, we had to go through a lot of date issues for me to finally be able to do 'Salaar'. All through those months, Prashant kept telling me, "You tell me, I'll wait, I'll move the shoot." And like I said, Prashant Neel does. I think I was an assistant director because I was there on set and trying to learn as much as I could, trying to see how this genius of a filmmaker is making this huge film that he is. And, you know, when somebody makes a world like Khansar and when somebody has written a script like 'Salaar' it's very easy for the audience to read it and have a thousand different suggestions. And yeah, we have bounced multiple ideas about the film with Prashant, and he's now become a really good friend. I keep bouncing my film ideas with him. He keeps telling me what he wants to do next and all that. So for me, it was a learning experience. I'm much richer as an actor and a filmmaker because of the 'Salaar' experience.
Your chemistry with Prabhas
Oh, I mean, I don't have a lot of friends. I'm not the kind of guy who has a big friend circle. But Prabhas is someone who I definitely consider a friend now. And it's not just me. If you know Prabhas, it is impossible to know him and not be friends with him. He's that kind of a guy. He really puts everyone at ease and he makes sure he goes out of his way to make sure everyone around him is comfortable. He's just like I said, one of those huge stars who does not realize how big he is. I don't think he knows how big a star he is. So because of that demeanor, it's very, very easy to work with him.

You previously mentioned that Prabhas needed a film of this nature post-Baahubali's success, and you promptly reached out to him. Could you elaborate on the nature of your conversation during that call?
You're wording my remark wrongly. I never said Prabhas needed this kind of a film. I told him that we needed to watch you in this kind of a film. Okay. The first person I called after having listened to the narration of 'Salaar' is Prabhas. And I told him what was most exciting for me is the fact that as a filmmaker, as a director, I'm looking forward to seeing you in this film. Because in Prashant's narration, I sort of understood his vision. And I got really excited to see Prabhas playing Deva in "Salar." It's not that Prabhas needed this film, but I really do think cinema in general and us fans of big-ticket action films needed to see Prabhas in a film like this.
Are you excited about the box office clash between 'Salaar' and 'Dunki'?
Before being an actor, before being a filmmaker, before being a producer, distributor, singer, whatever, I'm a film lover. And as a film lover, I'm so excited about the fact that this holiday season, at least in Kerala, we have three big films. We have "Salaar," we have "Dunki," and we also have the Jeethu Joseph-Mohanlal film called 'Neru'. So as a film lover across this holiday season, it is like I'm in a candy store. I'm going to go see all three films. I'm so excited about the fact that you have such iconic teams making such big films and releasing them. And I'm going to watch all three. I hope you are too. You shouldn't miss any of these three films.
Share an update on Lucifer 2? We all are excited to know.
I've started shooting. I've completed one schedule, which was in Ladakh, Delhi, and Shimla. From January, I will start shooting in London.
Any plans to make your directorial debut in Bollywood?
I don't look at my filmography that way. I don't plan my filmography that way that, I never think that way and think that I want to now direct a Hindi film. So right after Lucifer, there was a serious discussion from a big studio house in Bombay to make that film in Hindi. And at that point, I didn't have the time to take up another directorial commitment. And in fact, it fell through because I said I can't direct it. But at some point, maybe I'll do it in Hindi. I don't know.
In your next Bollywood film, 'Bade Miyan Chote Miyan', we heard you are playing some robotic engineer in the film, Something on the lines of what Rajinikanth played in Robot, is it true?
It's got nothing to do with what Rajinikanth sir played in Robo. It's completely different. It's a film that I'm very excited about. Very soon, the first teaser of the film will come out. And I think that teaser is going to surprise a lot of people. The scale is quite huge. It's a very big film. And it's wonderful to see Akshay Kumar sir and

Tiger Shroff

do what they are doing in that film because it's when the audiences watch the film, they will know, it's a very interesting dynamic. And of course, I'm really looking forward to it. It's something that I had a lot of fun playing. And Ali Abbas is a fantastic filmmaker. I really hit it off well with Ali. He's now a good friend. And his vision is amazing. And he's pulled it off in a stellar fashion. So, yeah, I'm looking forward to it.