Prithviraj thanks Premalu, Manjummel Boys makers: ‘I’d pick Aadujeevitham being a blockbuster over any award’

Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Aadujeevitham will be first big release from Malayalam after the massive successes of Premalu and Manjummel Boys at the box office

Stills from Manjummel Boys, Aadujeevitham and Premalu

Even before its theatrical release date was announced, the makers of Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Aadujeevitham had planned to premiere the movie at one of the leading global film festivals such as Cannes or Venice. While those plans didn’t quite materialise, fans and industry insiders are arguably gung-ho about the movie’s team being in line for some major awards this year – both nationally and internationally.

However, the film’s lead actor Prithviraj, who plays the role of Najeeb in the Blessy directorial, says that he would rather the film do good numbers at the box office like some of the recent Malayalam blockbusters Premalu and Manjummel Boys than win acclaim and collect awards. He explained that more than pressure to emulate the box office expectations of these films, he has only gratitude.

Prithviraj Sukumaran: Stand to hugely benefit from Manjummel Boys, Premalu’s success

“Thank you so much for creating that stage for Aadujeevitham. I am happy this has happened just before (this film’s release),” he said to Galatta Plus in a recent interview, adding that he is wise enough to know that he “stands to hugely benefit from what these films have done”.

Also read: After Manjummel Boys, Premalu takes over Tamil Nadu box office

The actor also praised Manjummel Boys’ box office performance in Tamil Nadu, where it has already become the highest grossing Malayalam movie rivalling even some of the major Tamil films this year. He also pointed out that with Premalu enjoying success in Telugu as well and Mammootty’s Bramayugam, which is now streaming on Sony LIV, also kickstarting a lot of discussions about the film’s making and performances, the spotlight is next on Aadujeevitham, which is the next big release from the industry.

The Salaar actor also explained that Aadujeevitham was created keeping in mind the commercial aspects of the film as well. Due to the nature of the movie, which is based on Benyamin’s eponymous novel about a real-life Malayali migrant worker who gets trapped in Saudi Arabia as a goat-herder, Prithviraj admitted there has been talks about sending the film for international awards.

Prithviraj to be detached from Aadujeevitham’s box office performance, here’s why

“It would be nice to be recognised, but ultimately I would any day pick Aadujeevitham being a blockbuster over any award, because that’s what we made the film for,” he says, adding that it’s a movie that has been made for a “big screen” experience and he hopes it becomes a huge hit.

Also read: Aadujeevitham first review – Real-life Najeeb praises Prithviraj Sukumaran, Blessy’s survival drama

Aadujeevitham, which also has Amala Paul, Rik Aby, Jimmy Jean-Louis and Talib al Balushi, is set to hit theatres on March 28 in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi.

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