Prithviraj Sukumaran says Shah Rukh Khan's 'Jawan' worked due to its content that resonated with fans: 'Why don't we have a Salim-Javed anymore?'
Prithviraj Sukumaran ’s ' L2: Empuraan ', starring Mohanlal , hit theatres yesterday (March 27), with fans rushing to witness the much-awaited action thriller sequel to the 2019 hit Lucifer. In a recent interview, Prithviraj highlighted the significance of content-driven narratives, even in large-scale commercial films. He also reflected on why legendary screenwriting duos like Salim-Javed no longer exist and underscored the importance of strong writing in shaping impactful films.
In a conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Prithviraj shared his perspective on why films connect with audiences. He emphasises that every successful mass entertainer, including Shah Rukh Khan ’s ' Jawan ', resonates with viewers due to its core content. While grand visuals and star power attract audiences, it is the underlying story that truly engages them and ensures a film’s success.
The 'Salaar' actor further stated that successful films like 'Dabangg' or 'Dhoom' thrive on strong writing, not just grand visuals. He contrasted this with Malayalam cinema, where storytelling takes precedence, with projects being initiated by writers who shape the film before directors and actors come on board.
He shared an example from an 'L2: Empuraan ' press meet, where a journalist found it unusual to see a writer on stage—a common practice in Malayalam films. “For the promotions of Empuraan, I had my writer sit next to me on stage, and a media representative asked us, ‘This is very unusual; we never see writers on stage with the stars.’ You will always see the writer on stage at a Malayalam film event. He’s not here today because my writer is also an actor, so he had to fly back for a shoot. This is what sets the flavour of Malayalam films apart, and there is a lesson in that—why don’t we have a Salim-Javed anymore?” he concluded.
On the work front, Prithviraj will be seen in 'Vilayath Buddha'. He is also involved in 'Tehran', a Hindi action thriller currently in production.
In a conversation with Bollywood Bubble, Prithviraj shared his perspective on why films connect with audiences. He emphasises that every successful mass entertainer, including Shah Rukh Khan ’s ' Jawan ', resonates with viewers due to its core content. While grand visuals and star power attract audiences, it is the underlying story that truly engages them and ensures a film’s success.
The 'Salaar' actor further stated that successful films like 'Dabangg' or 'Dhoom' thrive on strong writing, not just grand visuals. He contrasted this with Malayalam cinema, where storytelling takes precedence, with projects being initiated by writers who shape the film before directors and actors come on board.
He shared an example from an 'L2: Empuraan ' press meet, where a journalist found it unusual to see a writer on stage—a common practice in Malayalam films. “For the promotions of Empuraan, I had my writer sit next to me on stage, and a media representative asked us, ‘This is very unusual; we never see writers on stage with the stars.’ You will always see the writer on stage at a Malayalam film event. He’s not here today because my writer is also an actor, so he had to fly back for a shoot. This is what sets the flavour of Malayalam films apart, and there is a lesson in that—why don’t we have a Salim-Javed anymore?” he concluded.
On the work front, Prithviraj will be seen in 'Vilayath Buddha'. He is also involved in 'Tehran', a Hindi action thriller currently in production.
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