Aadujeevitham: Prithviraj Sukumaran reveals release plans of Blessy's film, hopes for Cannes 2023 premiere

Though Malayalam star has been associated with several big and small projects since the pandemic, director Blessy’s Aadujeevitham might arguably be the film that has truly tested him physically and mentally. The actor had completed shooting for the film earlier this year, after months of pandemic-induced uncertainty. He recently offered an update on when the audience can watch the movie, based on Benyamin’s renowned novel, on screen.

Talking at a press meet held ahead of the release of his upcoming movie Kaapa, the actor said, “We originally wanted Aadujeevitham to have its world premiere at Cannes Film Festival in 2023. I think the final submission date for that is by the end of March. I don’t know if we can complete its VFX and AR Rahman sir’s work; Blessy chettan would be the best person to say that.”

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Prithviraj explained that if the team misses the Cannes deadline, they would want the movie, which also has Amala Paul, to have its premiere at a major international film festival before it releases in theatres in the second half of 2023. Amid the talk of film festivals, the actor, who will be essaying the character of Najeeb who works as a goat-herder in the deserts of Saudi Arabia, said, “It’s not an arthouse movie. Blessy chettan has conceived it in the pace of a commercial cinema; at least that’s how I felt it.”

In 2023, the actor-director will also begin work on his third directorial, Empuraan, which will see him team up with Mohanlal again. On Empuraan’s shoot, he said, “A lot of teams are in various countries as part of its recce. If we have clarity in the plans, we have to first know where we are going to shoot it because we also have to keep in mind the climactic conditions of each place to plan when to start and complete the filming.”

Prithviraj, however, said that the plan right now is to begin the shoot by the mid of 2023 or maximum by the latter half of the year. “Rest, we will have to see how everything pans out,” said the actor.