Prithviraj Sukumaran: When Southern Stars Come Calling To Bollywood

Bollywood has always been ruled by action or romantic heroes with classic North Indian looks and of course the six packs! So, what’s this superstar from the South (actor in Malyalam/ Tamil films) with his burnished Southern looks, slender frame and intense eyes doing in Hindi cinema? 

 

He’s chosen to move out of his comfort zone even though his fluency in Hindi is questionable.

 

Seamless Transition…

But that’s Prithviraj Sukumaran for you, ever ready to evolve as an actor. Prithviraj Sukumaran seems to have made the transition quite seamlessly into Hindi films. 

 

Having made his debut into Bollywood with his intense performance in Aiyyaa, it is Sukumaran’s intelligence and talent that stand taller than his unconventional looks or his discomfort with the alien language.

Southern Scoop…

Apart from acting Prithviraj Sukumaran has other facets too: he is also a playback singer and producer. His first Malayalam film was Nandanam and he made his debut into Tamil film with Kana Kandaen.  

Other popular Sukumaran’s Tamil movies include Stop Violence, Classmates, Urumi, Parijatham, Mozhi, Ananthabhadramand Raavanan. His foray into Telugu films was through Police Police and he gained entry into Bollywood with Aiyyaa.

His Legacy…

Acting is certainly in his genes! Prithviraj Sukumaran’s father (Sukumaran) was a renowned villain in Malayalam cinema and his mother worked in films till she got married, and later moved on to TV serials. 

His brother and sister in law too are actors. He married Supriya Menon, a BBC reporter: a lady from the media alright but not an actress!

The Emperor…

His latest film Aurangzeb will be the acid test of sorts, for it does not portray him as a South Indian, as Aiyyaa did. Incidentally the crime drama “Aurangzeb” will be narrated through Prithviraj Sukumaran’s voice over.

 

The actor’s biggest challenge has been in trying to get his Hindi diction right, and he’s spent 6 months doing just that with a private tutor!