Career[edit]
Malayalam cinema[edit]
In 2001, 19-year old Prithviraj underwent a screen-test by Director Fazil for one of his projects at that time. Even though that project never materialised, Fazil recommended him to director Ranjith who was planning his second directorial venture, Nandanam. Though Nandanam is Prithviraj's first film, it released after Nakshathrakkannulla Rajakumaran Avanundoru R
ajakumari and Stop Violence. After Nandanam, Prithviraj appeared in films directed by Lohithadas, Vinayan, Kamal and Bhadran. 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.[9]
In 2006, he played the role of Sub Inspector Solomon Joseph in 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,[10] and set the record of the youngest actor to win the award, which remains unbeaten till date.[11] The same year he starred in Lal Jose' Classmates. In 2007, he starred in Chocolate, directed by Shafi.[12] 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.[13] The Sify review of Thirakkatha describes it as a "genuine attempt that keeps the viewer engaged until the end".[14] 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. In 2009, the success of Prithviraj's Puthiya Mukham (directed by Diphan)[15] led the print and visual media to anoint him as "Superstar".[16] 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 and Anwar directed by Amal Neerad. In 2011, Prithviraj turned producer through the multilingual film Urumi. Other releases in Malayalam include City of God, Manikyakallu, Veettilekkulla Vazhi and Indian Rupee. Reviewers praised Prithviraj for his performance in Indian Rupee like the one at Nowrunning.com who described it as his career best performance.[17]
In 2012, his major releases were Hero, Molly Aunty Rocks!, and Ayalum Njanum Thammil along with cameo roles in Aakashathinte Niram and Manjadikuru. In 2013, Prithviraj had three releases, Celluloid, Mumbai Police and Memories, all of which were critical and commercial successes. Daniel in Celluloid for which he won his second Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor.[2]
In 2014, Prithviraj's first major release is London Bridge followed by 7th Day which turned out to become a big commercial success. His cameo role in Munnariyippu was well noted. His third release of the year,Sapthamashree Thaskaraha was praised by critics and audiences alike
Tamil cinema[edit]
In 2005 Prithviraj Sukumaran debuted in Tamil through Kana Kandaen In 2006, Prithviraj co-starred with actor Bhagyaraj's daughter Saranya Bhagyaraj in Parijatham. It has acclaimed as a hit and gave the actor a turning point in his Tamil film career. In 2007, Prithviraj co-starred Mozhi. 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 nose, which glint in sad, harden with angry, or brim over with frustrated life”.[18] The Tamil remake of Classmates, titled Ninaithale Inikkum, was released in 2009. His last release in Tamil was Mani Ratnam's Raavanan in 2010 with Vikram playing the main protagonist and his performance was critically acclaimed.[19]
Prithviraj is currently shooting for director Vasanthabalan's big budget film Kaaviya Thalaivan co-starring Siddharth. Telugu cinema[edit]
Prithviraj Sukumaran debuted in Telugu through Police Police which was released in 2010. Besides, 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 Urumi released in August 2011. Hindi cinema[edit]
Prithviraj debuted in Bollywood through Aiyyaa directed by Sachin Kundalkar. Aiyyaa which was jointly produced by Anurag Kashyap and Viacom 18[20] released on 12 October 2012. His second film Aurangzeb directed by Athul Sabharwal .[21] released on 17 May 2013.His performance was highly praised. Filmography[edit]
Main article: Prithviraj Sukumaran filmography
As a film producer[edit]
Prithviraj formed a production and distribution company called August Cinema along with director Santosh Sivan and entrepreneur Shaji Natesan in 2009. Their first production venture, the multi-lingual film Urumi was released in 2011. August Cinema is also into distribution of films. They have distributed Manjadikuru and Molly Aunty Rocks! apart from their own productions. Filmography as a producer[edit]
No. Year Film Language
1 2011 Urumi Malayalam
2 2011 Indian Rupee Malayalam
3 2013 Kadal Kadannoru Mathukkutty Malayalam
4 2014 Sapthamashree Thaskaraha Malayalam
5 2014 Double Barrel Malayalam
As a playback singer[edit]
Prithviraj debuted as a singer in Puthiya Mukham (2009) by singing the title song of the film, "Kaane Kaane".[22]
Discography[edit]
No. Year Song Film Co-singers Language Music Duration Genre Notes
1 2009 "Kaane Kaane" Puthiya Mukham – Malayalam Deepak Dev 3:14 Rock ballad Featured in the title credits of the film
2 2010 "Kaattu Paranjathum" Thanthonni – Malayalam Thej Mervin 5:21 Soft melody Not featured in the film
3 2010 "Kettille Kettille" Pokkiri Raja Vijay Yesudas, Rijiya Malayalam Jassie Gift 3:24 Pop Party song
4 2010 "Njan" Anwar Mamta Mohandas Malayalam Gopi Sundar 3:44 Rap duet Featured in the end credits of the film
5 2011 "Vadakku Vadakku" Urumi Shaan Rahman Malayalam Deepak Dev 3:27 Pop First Song in the Malayalam version of the film
6 2012 "Tarzan Antony coming back to Cinema" Hero Gopi Sundar Malayalam Gopi Sundar 4:25 Fusion Included in the film as the first song.
7 2014 "Oru Kadha Parayunnu Lokam " 7th Day - Malayalam Deepak Dev 3:06 Rap Title song
