Prithviraj hails writers of Malayalam, says they get more credit here than in other industries

New Delhi: Malayalam superstar Prithviraj Sukumaran on Tuesday said the Hindi film industry post the 1990s has been pathbreaking in taking Indian cinema to the world, and regional language films will forever be indebted to it for showing the way. 

Prithviraj, who has directed Malayalam cinema superstar Mohanlal in L2: Empuraan and also plays a prominent role in it, was in the national capital to promote the film, releasing this Thursday. Replying to a question on lessons that Hindi cinema, which is going through a lull phase, needed to learn from other industries, Prithviraj praised Bollywood and said every industry goes through different phases.

"There is a lot for everyone to learn from everywhere. I understand the conversation and praise around Malayalam cinema of late. But make no mistake, it was not too long ago that we were sitting across tables in Kerala and thinking, 'How is Hindi cinema doing this?' "It was a time not too far back when maverick filmmakers like Anurag (Kashyap), Vikramaditya Motwane and Hansal Mehta burst onto the scene and started making content that made us think 'wow'... Yes, Malayalam cinema is going through a great phase, but these phases happen to every cinema periodically," the actor-filmmaker said at a promotional event for Empuraan.

Prithviraj said he would not be surprised if, a couple of years later, people were once again praising films coming out of Bollywood. "But one thing that is most aspirational about Hindi cinema post the 90s is how it has taken its cinema to the world. Hindi cinema has been absolutely pathbreaking in taking Indian cinema to the world and in helping people around the world discover the content we create in this country. For all the regional languages, however much pan-Indian success we achieve, we will forever be indebted to Hindi cinema for having shown us the way," he said.

Lucifer, the first instalment of the franchise, conceived as a trilogy revolving around Mohanlal's character Stephen Nedumpally, aka Khureshi Ab'raam, was a major critical and commercial success in Malayalam. Prithviraj, who also directed the first part in 2019, has been actively promoting the film throughout the country but said it was not made with the pan-Indian market in mind.

"This is not a film born out of the newfound existence of the pan-Indian market. This was always ideated this way. I really don't think pan-Indian success can be designed; it has to happen organically," he said, adding that they have been honest in their storytelling. Touted to be one of the costliest productions in Malayalam cinema, the film will also be released in IMAX. "This film is becoming a big platform for filmmakers to come and prove that we can make great films like this," Mohanlal said. 

Asked about the uniqueness of Malayalam cinema, which has been consistently delivering commercial and critical hits in recent times, Prithviraj praised the writing."We always make films with writers and writing as the fulcrum," he said, adding that writers receive more credit in Malayalam cinema than in other industries.

On the impending clash with Salman Khan's Sikandar, which releases on 30 March, just three days after Empuraan, Prithviraj expressed hope that both films would find love from audiences. "Sikandar is a huge project. I wish the team the absolute best. I hope the film goes on to become a blockbuster. I will have no complaints if you watch Sikandar at 11 am and Empuraan at 1 pm," he said. "I am particularly looking forward to the response to the Hindi version of the film," added the director.

The press conference was also attended by actors Tovino Thomas, Manju Warrier, and Indrajith Sukumaran. In addition to them, the film features foreign actors such as Jerome Flynn, Eriq Ebouaney, and Andrea Tivadar. Written by Murali Gopy and produced by Antony Perumbavoor, Gokulam Gopalan, and Subaskaran Allirajah, the action thriller is also releasing in Tamil, Kannada, and Telugu. | PTI