Prithviraj gets candid

Renowned Malayalam film actor Prithiviraj Sukumaran has become extremely successful in a very short amount of time. The 30-year-old actor started his career in Malayalam movies and went on to experiment in various other industries like Tollywood and Kollywood. Acting is in his genes; he’s the son of the late South superstar Sukumaran. Prithviraj has recently been making in news in Bollywood via Aiyyaa with Rani Mukherji. And he has signed a big one – Aurangzeb – with Yash Raj Films! Even though Aiyyaa didn’t fare well at the box-office, Prithvi still has Hindi film offers pouring in, not a surprise considering he is already 75 films old down South. The actor speaks to Masala! about his Bollywood debut and his transition from south India to the north. You’re a superstar in Malayalam and Tamil films. What made you switch to Bollywood?
It wasn’t really a switch. I have always been looking to do different movies and have switched from Malayalam to Tamil and Telugu cinema. As I have always said in my previous interviews, it was the script of Aiyyaa that attracted me. Have you shifted base to Mumbai?
I have not really shifted base. I live in Mumbai when I’m working on my films. It has always been a dream for my wife and I to live here. In fact, my wife is from Mumbai; she used to work in the city and we met and fell there as well! We are on the lookout for a place and hopefully, by next year, we will find something good.
How did you start your career in south India?
I was doing my Bachelors in Information Technology in Australia and I returned to India for my summer vacation. During this time director Ranjith, who was and still is one of the biggest directors of the Malayalam film industry, cast me in Nandanam as he thought that I would be able to pull the role off well. Frankly, I was very apprehensive of going into acting and never really wanted to be in cinema.
Malayalam films are famous for their performance-oriented roles. But you one of the few actors who is known for his physique. Do you think the trend is changing down south?
It has been changing for a while now. Younger actors are quite keen to keep fit. Even the audience expects the hero to be fit on screen. The Malayalam film industry has a very rich heritage in terms of acting skills. I am lucky to be able to use this vast amount of experience.
You showed off your toned physique in Aiyyaa. What was your workout regimen?
It was quite hectic and I can’t look the same for every movie like I looked in Aiyyaa! I had to go on a high calorie diet and had to practically live in the gym!
Who do you think are the hottest actresses in Bollywood today?
Well, all of them are ridiculously good-looking; Can I pick all of them?
What made you want to do ‘Aiyyaa’?
The moment I heard the script, I knew that it was the kind of film that a lot of people may or may not like. However, it was a very different film and I hadn’t done anything like it before. That’s what propelled me to take it on.