Prithviraj Sukumaran

Prithviraj Sukumaran (Malayalam: പൃഥ്വിരാജ് സുകുമാരന്‍, Pr̥thvirāj Sukumāran ^?, born 16 October 1982^[1] in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India) credited mononymously as Prithviraj, is an Indian film actor and producer best known for his work in Malayalam cinema.

He made his debut in 2002 in the Malayalam film Nandanam, and has since acted in more than sixty films, notably Stop Violence (2002), Swapnakoodu (2003), Akale (2004), Classmates (2006), Vaasthavam (2006), Chocolate (2007), Thirakkatha (2008), Santosh Sivan's Urumi (2011) and Indian Rupee (2011). He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Vaasthavam.

Prithviraj made his debut in Tamil cinema through Kana Kandaen in 2005. His other notable films in Tamil are Parijatham (2005), Mozhi (2007) and Mani Ratnam's Raavanan (2010). His debut in Telugu films was through Police Police in 2010. Prithviraj is debuting in Hindi films through Aiyaa (2012) for which shooting is currently progressing.

As a producer he started his production company, August Cinema, along with Santosh Sivan and Shaji Natesan. August cinema has produced the films Urumi and Indian Rupee.

Early life and family

Prithviraj was born in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, to actors Sukumaran and Mallika Sukumaran. His elder brother Indrajith Sukumaran and sister-in-law Poornima Indrajith are also film actors. His initial schooling was at St. Mary's School Poojappura, which was near his home at Chengallur,where he acted in various plays and skits for the school's annual day celebrations. He completed the rest of his school education at the Sainik School Kazhakoottam, Thiruvananthapuram and Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan, Thiruvananthapuram. Prithviraj, along with his brother Indrajith, participated in debates and elocution competitions while in school.^[2] At the annual inter-school arts festival hosted by Loyola School, Thiruvananthapuram, Prithviraj won the title of "Mr LA Fest" twice, and is the only person to date to win that title twice.^[3]

While pursuing his Bachelors in Information Technology ^[4] at the University of Tasmania, Australia, he was called by film director Ranjith to play the lead role in his film Nandanam.^[2] It was Fazil, a well known Malayalam film director, who introduced him to Ranjith.^[2] After his performance in Nandanam, he decided to take a break from studies to concentrate on his film career.

On 25th April 2011, Prithviraj married Supriya Menon, a BBC India Reporter, in a private ceremony at Palakkad.^[5][6][7]

Career

Malayalam Cinema

In 2002, Prithviraj was cast by Ranjith in his second directorial venture, Nandanam.^[2] After this he appeared in films directed by Lohithadas, Vinayan, Kamal and Bhadran.^[8]

He later went on to do Stop Violence and Swapnakoodu. Shyamaprasad, who cast him in lead role in his film Akale, said that Prithviraj's advantages are his talent and intelligence irrespective of his box office successes.^[8]

In 2006, he played the role of Sub Inspector Solomon Joseph in the critically acclaimed Vargam. After Vargam, Prithviraj acted in Vaasthavam with the same director, M. Padmakumar, for which he received the Kerala State Award for Best Actor for 2006,^[9] and became the youngest actor to win the award.^[10] The same year he starred in Lal Jose's Classmates, which went on to become an all-time blockbuster, increasing his market value and giving Malayalam producers confidence to make more youth-oriented movies.

In 2007, he starred in Chocolate, directed by Shafi which was a huge success.^[11] In 2008, he starred in Thalappavu (directed by Madhupal) and Thirakkatha (directed by Ranjith), in which he took up roles which serve as pivotal characters. One of the reviews of Thalappavu describes it as a film which is truly the coming-of-age film for Prithviraj the actor and that there is a spartan dignity that he brings into his commanding portrayal of Naxalite Joseph.^[12] The Sify review of Thirakkatha describes it as a "genuine attempt that keeps the viewer engaged until the end".^[13] Both Thalappavu and Thirakkatha shared the award for the best film in the Film Critics Award for 2008. He also made a special appearance in Anjali Menon's Manjadikkuru this year.

In 2009, the success of Prithviraj's Puthiya Mukham (directed by Diphan)^[14] led the print and visual media to anoint him as "Superstar".^[15] His other releases in 2009 were Robinhood (directed by Joshy) and Malayalam's first anthology film, Kerala Cafe.

In 2010, Prithviraj's notable films were Pokkiri Raja, in which he appeared alongside Mammootty and Anwar directed by Amal Neerad.

In 2011, Prithviraj turned producer through the multilingual film Urumi. The film had a good run in Kerala and was released in Telugu, Tamil, Hindi and English as well. His other notable releases in Malayalam include the critically acclaimed City of God, Manikyakallu, Veettilekkulla Vazhi and Indian Rupee. Reviewers unanimously praised Prithviraj for his performance in the commercially successful Indian Rupee. Some of them even went on to describe it as his career best performance. ^[16]

Tamil Cinema

Prithviraj made his Tamil debut through Kana Kandaen in 2005 as the suave and sophisticated villain.

Soon he got the opportunity to act under the direction of Bhagyaraj in the film Parijatham. Bhagyaraj said in an interview, "The entire media unanimously appreciated Prithviraj in Kana Kandaen, so it was with that confidence that I signed him".

In 2007, Prithviraj co-starred with Tamil actress Jyothika Saravanan in her last film, Mozhi which went on to become a huge hit. He also starred in Satham Podathey and Kannamoochi Yenada in the same year.

In 2008, Prithviraj starred in Vellithirai, the Tamil remake of Udayananu Tharam. Rediff described his performance: “Prithviraj makes the best of his assets – his expressive eyes, which glint in fury, soften with love, or brim over with frustrated tears”.^[17] The Tamil remake of Classmates, titled Ninaithale Inikkum, was released in 2009.

His last release in Tamil was Mani Ratnam's Raavanan in 2010, co-starring Vikram and Aishwarya Rai.It met with only moderate critical success. Nevertheless, his performance was critically acclaimed.^[18] The dubbed version of his magnum opus film Urumi is awaiting release.

Telugu Cinema

Prithviraj debuted in Telugu through Police Police in 2010. The film co-starred Srikanth, Kamalini Mukherjee and Sanjana. The film has been dubbed in Tamil as Kutrappirivu. Prithviraj has had many of his Malayalam films dubbed into Telugu like Sivapuram in 2006 which was the dubbing of Ananthabhadram and ATM in 2010 which was the dubbing of Robinhood. The dubbed version of his magnum opus film Urumi released in August 2011 to good response.

Awards and Nominations

Kerala State Film Awards

• 2006 – Best Actor for Vaasthavam ^[19]

Filmfare Awards

• 2010 – Nominated – Best Actor – Malayalam for Anwar
• 2010 – Nominated – Best Supporting Actor – Tamil for Raavanan

Asianet Film Awards

• 2009 – Youth Icon of the Year ^[20]

Mathrubhumi Film Awards

• 2008 – Youth Icon of the Year ^[21]
• 2006 – Most Popular Actor
• 2004 – Special Jury Award for Akale ^[22]
• 2003 – Best Onscreen Couple Award (shared with actress Navya Nair)

Other Awards

• 2011 – Vayalar Rama Varma Chalachitra Madhyama Award – Best Actor for Indian Rupee
• 2010 – Jai Hind TV Awards – Youth Icon of the Year ^[23]
• 2008 – Jai Hind TV Awards – Best Actor for Thalappavu and Thirakkatha ^[24]
• 2007 – Sathyan Memorial Award – Best Actor for Vaasthavam ^[25]
• 2005 – Thikkurushi Award – Best Actor for Akale ^[26]
• 2003 – Film Critics Award – Best Actor for Meerayude Dukhavum Muthuvinte Swapnavum and Chakram ^[27]

Kerala Film Chamber dispute

In 2004, the Kerala Film Chamber (the association of film producers in Kerala) required artists to sign a working agreement which the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) opposed and production of new Malayalam films had almost come to a standstill.^[28] The AMMA proposed a ban on any actors signing the agreement. Prithviraj signed the Chambers’ agreement and acted in Satyam, the film directed by Vinayan.^[29]

Filmography

Upcoming films

Released films

As a Playback Singer

Prithviraj debuted as a singer in Puthiya Mukham (2009) by singing the title song of the film, "Kaane Kaane".^[30]

Discography

As a Film Producer

Prithviraj formed a production company called August Cinema along with director Santosh Sivan and actor & entrepreneur Shaji Natesan in 2009. Their first production venture, the multi-lingual film Urumi was released in 2011.

Filmography as a producer

References

External links

• Prithviraj on Internet Movie Database
• Prithviraj on Twitter
• Prithviraj Fans Website