Mumbai | Actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran on Thursday said Malayalam cinema filmmakers can think about mounting movies on a large scale today, hoping his upcoming directorial "L2: Empuraan" is a step in the same direction.
He was speaking at the Hindi trailer launch of the Malayalam movie, which is a sequel to 2019's "Lucifer".
"We are going through a golden phase in our industry where we are making beautiful films and wonderful filmmakers and actors coming out with splendid performances. So there's nothing to be complained about as far as Malayalam cinema is concerned. Thankfully Malayalam cinema is today at a place where we can think of big budgets and canvases," Sukumaran told reporters here at the Hindi trailer launch.
The filmmaker, who also stars in "L2: Empuraan", said while Malayalam film industry has produced critically acclaimed, independent movies with unique narratives, it is yet to make a mark in the mainstream space.
"Malayalam cinema is not essentially known for big-ticket, main-scale popcorn entertainers, if I can call them that. We are known for making a different kind of cinema which is yet to find its own space within the distribution theatrical network that we have in this country. I'm sure we'll get there. This particular film ('L2: Empuraan') that way is maybe our attempt of crashing into that phenomenon," he said.
"L2: Empuraan", the second installment of the action franchise, will see Malayalam cinema star Mohanlal reprise his role of Stephen Nedumpally aka Khureshi-Ab’raam from "Lucifer".
The movie is a "large scale, big canvas, big ticket, commercial action entertainer", added Sukumaran.
"Whether I have succeeded or not, I don't know. We are hoping that this will break a few barriers. This will get a few people to think, 'Hang on, next time a Malayalam film comes to a small screen in Jharkhand, maybe it's worth giving it a try on a weekend'.
"That's what we are hoping for. We dream very big, us down south. This time we have managed to follow it up with some seriously good work. But I hope this film has a bit of finesse that will appeal to you," he said.
Sukumaran, who has also directed Mohanlal in "Bro Daddy", said it was his privilege to direct a legend like Mohanlal.
"Especially for my generation, the reason we are in cinema must be Mohanlal sir and Mammooty sir to a big extent because we grew up watching them. I grew up trying to walk like him, trying to talk like Mammootty sir... How privileged am I that today I'm sitting next to him having directed him thrice."
The actor said he was earlier supposed to direct Tamil superstar Rajinikanth.
"A couple of days ago, I had the privilege of meeting Rajini sir and showing him the trailer (of the film). In fact, I had an opportunity to make a film with him which I couldn't pull off at that moment.
"But the way he spoke to me, what he told me about my work, what he told me after having watched the first part, 'Lucifer', those are things that I'll forever cherish. If you ask me, how many awards have I won? I don't remember. But these things I'll never forget. So of course, I mean, these are priceless for me," he added.
The franchise follows Mohanlal’s Stephen Nedumpally, an enigmatic political figure who becomes embroiled in a battle for power after the death of a political leader. The 2019 film was a major commercial and critical success, earning praise for its action sequences, drama, and Mohanlal’s performance.
At the event, Mohanlal called Sukumaran "one of the greatest directors" in the country.
"This (film) is only what you can call a tip of the iceberg. He sleeps at the cinema, he eats cinema, he reads cinema. Otherwise, he's a naughty person," the superstar said.
"L2: Empuraan" is scripted by Murali Gopy, who also features in the movie alongside Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, Indrajith Sukumaran, Saniya Iyappan and Arjun Das. It is produced by Lyca Productions and Aashirvad Cinemas.
The film will be released on March 27 in Malayalam, Kannada, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi.
Aamir Khan asked if his sister Nikhat was good in 'L2: Empuraan'Mumbai | Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran on Wednesday said Bollywood superstar Aamir Khan texted him to ask whether his sister Nikhat Khan Hegde had performed well in his upcoming directorial "L2 : Empuraan".
Nikhat, who is Aamir's elder sister, plays a character named Subhadra Ben in the Malayalam movie fronted by Mohanlal.
Sukumaran said he was impressed by Nikhat's audition and didn't know she was Aamir's sister.
"I did not know she was Aamir sir's sister. I know Aamir sir quite well. When the audition tapes came through, I told Priyatama, my casting director, that 'I want her (Nikhat)'. She (Priyatama) said 'Oh yeah, she's wonderful. By the way, she's also Aamir sir's sister.' I said, 'Really?' Then I called Aamir sir...
"I just want to tell you he (Aamir) just messaged me asking 'Is my sister good in the film?' So, I said, 'Sir, she's a lot better than good'," the actor-director told reporters at the Hindi trailer launch of "L2: Empuraan".
Sukumaran also praised Nikhat, known for films such as "Pathaan", "Mission Mangal" and "Tanhaji", at the event.
"You're in my film for a very little while. But you know how important you are in the film. It was a privilege to have you on location," he added.
"L2: Empuraan" also stars Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, Indrajith Sukumaran, Saniya Iyappan and Arjun Das. It is produced under the banner of Lyca Productions and Aashirvad Cinemas and slated to release on March 27.
