Prithviraj’s favourite word these days is ‘experimental’. Why not? The happening actor has proved himself in a spectrum of roles and, naturally, he wants to push the envelope with characters that defy the stereotype.
Up next are Kaaviya Thalaivan in Tamil and Saptamashree Thaskaraaha in Malayalam, both much-anticipated films that have generated a lot of hype.
“I have not done a Tamil film for three to four years because I did not get a script that enthused me. But when director Vasantha Balan came to Kochi and narrated the story of Kaaviya Thalaivan to me for over four hours, I said yes without hesitation,” he says.
Written by Jeyamohan, Kaaviya Thalaivan is the story of Tamil theatre from the twenties to the forties. The film, reportedly, hinges on the lives and careers of legendary stage artistes and singers K.B. Sundarambal and S.G. Kitappa. “But that is not all. Siddarth and I play the lead characters in the movie that is set against the backdrop of theatre at a time when major troupes were still finding their feet. A.R. Rahman’s music for the film is an absolute winner. There are six songs in the film but some 15 numbers weave in and out of the narrative. That was when male artistes used to play female roles, a time when even leading troupes did not have actresses to play the heroine,” says the actor.
Ah, that explains stills showing Prithviraj and Siddarth in dazzling costumes, looking every inch the pretty heroines. “I thought I looked hideous. But those scenes are part of a montage that were shot for a song in Kaaviya Thalaivan ,” says the youngster, nattily dressed in khaki again for another cop role in Tamaar Padar , the shoot of which is going in rainy Thiruvananthapuram.
While waiting for his shot in his cosily done-up caravan, Prithviraj puts aside a book on Che that he was reading to talk about why he put his hand up for some out-of-the-box themes that raked in the money and won him the awards too.
In 2013, Prithviraj threw caution to the wind and came up with memorable characters that are still alive in the audience’s mind. In between there was also Aurangazeb with Arjun Kapoor. “I would be lying if I said it was a hit. But what made it special is that I had to go through a complete audition for the role. I did and so it felt really great to have been selected from hundreds of aspirants and work in that film from the Yash Raj stable,” he says.
In fact, he had a diction tutor to help him speak the Haryanvi dialect for which he got rave reviews even when the film did not do well.
“I have done about 85 films. I get bored quickly and to prevent that I choose films and roles that go beyond the mundane and formulas. That is why I am doing Tamaar Padar. There is fun, satire and some soul-searching but, at the end of the day, it is something I have never done before,” he explains.
Prithviraj plays SI Pouran, a cop in the company of Baburaj and Chemban Vinod. The film is about the adventures and misadventures of the trio. Although tight-lipped about his characters and the storyline, he agrees that in the course of events, there is also a mention about how they try to nab the notorious Sukumara Kurup, a fugitive from justice who is still making headlines in Kerala as he continues to evade the police. He is all smiles while talking about Tamaar Padar , directed by newcomer Dileesh Nair.
“Even if the film does not do well, there will be no regrets. It is the same quest for novelty that motivates me to produce a film. At times, I get a captivating script that might not have a producer. Then I offer to produce that film. So even if the film does not do well, I will not feel guilty,” he says.
So, does he feel guilty if a film flops?
“There have been times when I requested some producers I know to bankroll a movie. When such movies do not recover the money, I do feel guilty. But if a producer, who is convinced about a script, approaches me to act in it and then if the film does not live up to expectations, I do not feel the same sense of guilt. And if I am producing it, then I will be responsible for any acts of omission or otherwise,” he reasons.
Dismissing any suggestions about him showing a bias in favour of newcomers, he says that 7th Day was produced by his August Cinema only because he felt the script was promising. “Moreover, both Shyamdhar, the director of the film and Akhil, the scenarist, were newcomers to the industry. So for about five months, I was tied up with the film, getting different things done on their behalf,” he explains.
Last Sunday, two of his films were being shot in the Secretariat at the same time – Saptamashree Thaskaraaha, produced by him, and Tamaar Padar.Saptamashree Thaskaraaha , directed by national award winner Anil’s Radhakrishnan Menon has the star playing Krishnanunni, a convict who gangs up with seven ex-convicts for a heist.
The actor has a busy year ahead with Shyamprasad’s Ivide , and debutant Vimal’s Ennu Ninte Moideen . He is also completing work on Major Ravi’s Picket 43 , in which he plays a soldier manning a lonely post on the border.
“At the risk of sounding clichéd, I must say that each of these is a genre bender and experimental. Shyam ettan’sIvide is a crime thriller that has a crackling script by Ajayan Venugopalan,” chips in the star about the film that will have him working with Fahadh Faasil for the first time. The entire film will be shot in the United States. “It should begin in late October while Tamaar Padar should release during the Pooja holidays," he adds.
Prior to that the actor goes a new look in the period Ennu Ninte Moideen , based on the real-life story of Moideen and Kanchanamala.
“Vimal has been immersed in this story for more than a year. Many of the characters mentioned in the story are alive and we cannot take any liberties with the script or the story. Vimal’s thorough research on the subject is remarkable. It might sound like a usual love story with a tragic end but what bowled me over was the fact that all these incidents have really happened in their lives. It was the river that led to their meeting and it was again the river that put an end to their dreams of a life together. The story is narrated from the perspective of Kanchana chechi ,” he says.
Looks like another happening year for Prithviraj and for Malayalam cinema.
Quick five
Your precious possession?
My wife.
What is your idea of happiness?
I am living that now.
The car you drive?
A Black Porche.
Your greatest fear?
I am not an ‘afraid person’. I do have fears like a normal person but can’t think of anything now.
If you could, what would you undo?
My father’s death.
