'It was my dream project, but Lijo did it' Prithviraj on his unfinished directorial debut

Before making his blockbuster directorial debut with "Lucifer", Prithviraj had plans to step behind the camera for "City of God". The film’s gritty and layered storytelling fascinated him, making it his first choice for direction.

However, fate had other plans. Just as he was preparing to direct, legendary filmmaker Mani Ratnam offered him a role in "Raavanan". And for Prithviraj, turning down an offer from Mani Ratnam was out of the question.

The actor-turned-director recently revealed that he had fully prepared to helm the project before choosing to star in Mani Ratnam’s "Raavanan" instead. Looking back, Prithviraj believes it was the right call, as director Lijo Jose Pellissery made it far more stunning than he could have envisioned.

"I had made all the preparations to direct ‘City of God.’ But then, Mani Ratnam called me for ‘Raavanan.’ You can’t say no to a film by a legend like him," Prithviraj revealed in an interview with Galatta Plus.

City of God was a gripping Malayalam anthology film released in 2011. The movie intertwines four narratives, all converging around a tragic road accident in the city of Cochin. Directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, the movie features a stellar cast including Prithviraj Sukumaran, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Indrajith Sukumaran, Rima Kallingal, and Jagadish. 

While stepping away from directing "City of God" was a difficult decision, Prithviraj now feels it was the right one.

"When I finally saw 'City of God,' I realized Lijo had made it far more beautifully than I had imagined. Maybe if I had directed it, it wouldn't have been as stunning," he admitted.

Directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery, "City of God" became a cult classic, known for its non-linear storytelling and bold filmmaking.

Despite missing out on directing "City of God," Prithviraj eventually made his mark as a director with "Lucifer", which went on to become one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of all time. And "L2: Empuraan," the sequel to "Lucifer," directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran and starring Mohanlal, is scheduled to be released worldwide on March 27, 2025. 

Looking back, Prithviraj’s decision to choose "Raavanan" over directing "City of God" might have shaped his career in ways he never expected. And with "Lucifer 2: Empuraan" on the horizon, his directorial journey is only just beginning.