Malayalam cinema icon Prithviraj Sukumaran has set the film world buzzing, crediting Bollywood’s “new wave” pioneers like Anurag Kashyap, Vikramaditya Motwane and Hansal Mehta for inspiring a creative revolution in Malayalam filmmaking. In an exclusive PTI interview, the actor-director revealed how these Hindi cinema trailblazers pushed Kerala’s filmmakers to up their game during a time when the Malayalam industry grappled with a content drought.

“There was a time we’d sit in Kerala, wondering how Hindi cinema was crafting such compelling stories,” Sukumaran said, recalling the awe inspired by Bollywood’s bold new wave. “Anurag, Vikramaditya, and Hansal led a movement that left us in awe, and it’s shaped the golden phase Malayalam cinema is enjoying now.” He remains optimistic about this creative surge but cautioned, “I’ve seen enough to know it won’t last forever—that’s just how it works.”

Sukumaran is riding high with two Hindi films: Sarzameen, a gripping thriller that premiered on JioHotstar on July 25, and the upcoming Daayra with Kareena Kapoor Khan. Directed by Kayoze Irani and produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Productions, Sarzameen casts Sukumaran as Vijay Menon, a duty-bound army officer in volatile Kashmir, alongside Kajol as his wife and Ibrahim Ali Khan as their son. “I say yes to a film only for the script,” he said, praising Sarzameen’s emotional depth.

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On Daayra, a crime-drama thriller helmed by Meghna Gulzar, Sukumaran called it “one of the finest scripts I’ve read recently.” He lauded Gulzar’s vivid vision and the film’s focus on two powerhouse characters, promising a thrilling showcase for both him and Kapoor Khan. With past Hindi roles in films like Aiyyaa and Naam Shabana, Sukumaran’s selective approach ensures he shines only in exceptional projects. As Malayalam and Hindi cinema converge, his words signal a vibrant future for Indian storytelling.

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