16 November,2025 07:20 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondent
Prithviraj Sukumaran
Prithviraj Sukumaran directed and acted in the Lucifer sequel, Empuraan, which also starred Mohanlal. The film went on to become one of Malayalam cinema's highest-grossing movies. When the film was released, it faced backlash over its alleged portrayal of the 2002 Gujarat riots, which took place during Narendra Modi's tenure as the state's Chief Minister. Now, the actor has finally addressed the controversy.
In an interview with Manorama News, he clarified, "If I want to express my politics, I can do it on social media. I am not making this film to express my political opinions," he said. He then questioned, "I don't need to invest crores to make a film about my political stance. In today's digital age, issuing a statement on social media is often sufficient. As long as I am honest with myself, and I have that conviction within me, I do not think I need to be afraid of anyone."
Prithviraj also mentioned that he made the film to entertain the audience, and he would consider himself a failure only if he didn't do that. He added that social media is now used as a weapon and that posting political opinions online often leads to extreme reactions. "Some people will make you a villain, and others will make you a hero. Both are dangerous, so it is sometimes better not to express your opinion there," he said.
The film featured a star-studded ensemble including Tovino Thomas, Manju Warrier, Abhimanyu Singh, Jerome Flynn, and Andrea Tivadar, among several others. Despite the controversies, the film went on to become the highest-grossing Malayalam film. Following widespread criticism, the makers of Empuraan decided to remove contentious scenes involving riot visuals and depictions of violence against women. The edited version is expected to release in theatres soon.
On the other hand, Prithviraj is gearing up for the release of Vilayath Buddha, which hits theatres on November 21, 2025. Another much-anticipated film of the Malayalam star is Varanasi, which was launched in a grand event held in Hyderabad on November 15. Directed by SS Rajamouli, the film stars Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra in pivotal roles. Sukumaran will essay the role of antagonist Kumbha. Apart from these films, he will also star in Meghna Gulzar's Daayra, alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan.
