'Aiyyaa' didn't make people go ga ga: Prithviraj

Having acted in more than 80 films, the 30-year-old Prithviraj seems like an extremely humble man. In fact for this interview, we found the actor tucked away at the quietest corner of a coffee shop in a suburban hotel, sipping on a hot cup all by himself. An excerpt from our conversation...

You were missing from the Aiyya promotions?
The film was to release in November and I had asked the makers of my next film to give me some free days. But the release was pushed ahead but I was already committed for the other film. However, my producers were sweet enough and even gave me a few days off.

Did you find yourself in the shadows?
Not at all! When you have Rani Mukerji and a debutant in a film, then Rani is automatically the USP, not me. In fact, if I was the producer of the film then I too would have adopted the same strategy. The film hasn't been the kind which has made people go ga ga. While some have hated it, the others have liked it. But there was a lot of buzz around me that makes me happy.

Pokiri Raja, starring you, is being remade in Hindi with Akshay Kumar
The film was designed to be a hit. However, it was not well written. They made Mammootty sir and me do stuff that the mass audience likes, mainly dance and fights.

Malayalam cinema has two big guns Mammootty and Mohanlal. Was it easy joining the bandwagon?
They are big guns because they are bloody good! Even after 30 years, they still have heroines and songs written for them. Each new actor is now compared to the two veterans. It's flattering if people think I can be the next Mammootty and Mohanlal.u00a0