Prithviraj Sukumaran heard Ayalvaashi’s story on Lucifer sets and was excited to be part of it: Irshad Parari

Debutant filmmaker Irshad Parari is gearing up for the release of his first movie Ayalvaashi, which has Soubin Shahir, Nikhila Vimal, Binu Pappu, Lijomol Jose and Naslen in pivotal roles. However, when the movie was first announced, back in 2019, Prithviraj Sukumaran and Indrajith Sukumaran were attached as leads, with the former also set to produce the venture.

In an exclusive chat with OTTplay, Irshad tells us what led to the change in cast and production of the film, which is set to hit theatres on April 21 as an Eid release.

Also read: Ayalvaashi: Shooting for Soubin Shahir, Binu Pappu-starrer felt like workcation, says director Irshad Parari 

“With superstars, they have their own line-up of movies. When the pandemic happened, all of this got pushed,” says Irshad. “Prithviraj was also supposed to produce the movie and because of that he always had the option of rescheduling the movie to a later date, but he didn’t. Instead, because he felt that the delay would be an inconvenience to me, he said that I could move on with the project with another actor. I also understood his situation because he had several big commitments lined up and was facing pressure to complete them.”

The filmmaker, who had previously collaborated with Prithviraj as an associate director in the superstar’s directorial debut Lucifer, says that he is “happy with whatever has happened” because the movie never really “demanded a superstar”. Ayalvaashi revolves around a quarrel between two neighbours after an incident happens in their lives.

“Prithviraj agreed to do the movie because he was excited when he heard the story. I first narrated the thread on the sets of Lucifer. It happened during a casual conversation, when I told him that I had written this script and he wanted to hear it. When he did, he was excited and said we will do it,” he said.

Ask him if he is also part of Prithviraj’s upcoming directorial Empuraan, starring Mohanlal, Irshad says, “Empuraan’s scouting is going on. I did get a call from its chief associate director. Lucifer and Empuraan’s AD team are more or less the same, but depends on how many are free to join. For instance, Jayan Nambiar is currently busy with Vilayath Buddha and I have just completed Ayalvaashi. So, depending on when Empuraan goes on floors and what our situation is when it does, we will take a call based on that.”