Prithviraj Sukumaran: Difference between revisions

{{short description|Indian actor, film director and film producer}}

| caption            = Prithviraj in 2019

| birth_place        =  

| alma_mater        = [[University of Tasmania]], [[Australia]]

| occupation        = {{hlist|Actor|director|producer|playback singer}}

| parents            = [[Sukumaran]] (father)<br />[[Mallika Sukumaran]] (mother)

| relatives          = [[Indrajith Sukumaran]] (brother)<br />[[Poornima Indrajith]] (sister-in-law)<br/> [[Prarthana Indrajith]] (niece)

'''Prithviraj Sukumaran''' (born 16 October 1982) is an Indian actor, director, producer and playback singer primarily working in [[Malayalam cinema]].<ref name="Actor Prithviraj Info">{{cite web|url=http://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/south-stars/prithviraj-the-directors-actor|title=Prithviraj: The director's actor|publisher=Khaleejtimes.com|date=17 January 2016|access-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160624035755/http://www.khaleejtimes.com/citytimes/south-stars/prithviraj-the-directors-actor|archive-date=24 June 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> He has also done [[Tamil cinema|Tamil]] and [[Bollywood|Hindi]] films.<ref>{{cite web|last=|first=|date=|title=What does Bollywood have against the south Indian hero?|url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/what-does-bollywood-have-against-the-south-indian-hero-503929.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170220005458/http://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/what-does-bollywood-have-against-the-south-indian-hero-503929.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=2017-02-20|access-date=|work=First Post}}</ref> He acted in over 100 films in a variety of roles and has received several awards including a [[National Film Award]], three [[Kerala State Film Awards]], a [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award]] and a [[Filmfare Awards South]].<ref name="Prithviraj 80 films">{{cite news|url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/332595/archives.php|title=Can now afford to slow down my career in south: Prithviraj|newspaper=[[Deccan Herald]]|date=15 May 2013|access-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170213195811/http://www.deccanherald.com/content/332595/archives.php|archive-date=13 February 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Prithviraj made his acting debut with the romance ''[[Nandanam (film)|Nandanam]]'' (2002), a commercial success.<ref name="Ranjith casts Prithviraj">{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/thehindu/mp/2004/05/13/stories/2004051301610300.htm|title=On the road to stardom|newspaper=[[The Hindu]]|date=13 May 2004|access-date=10 June 2016|archive-date=11 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201011183519/https://www.thehindu.com/archive/print/2004/05/13/|url-status=live}}</ref> He established himself as a successful leading actor after starring in the coming-of-age romance ''[[Classmates (2006 film)|Classmates]]'' (2006), [[List of highest-grossing Malayalam films|the highest-grossing Malayalam film]] that time. He won the [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor]] for ''[[Vaasthavam]]'', becoming the youngest recipient at 24. He played a musician in the Tamil romantic comedy ''[[Mozhi (film)|Mozhi]]'' (2007). The action film ''[[Puthiya Mukham]]'' (2009) marked his debut as playback singer. He won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor again in 2012 for medical drama ''[[Ayalum Njanum Thammil]]'' and biographical film ''[[Celluloid (film)|Celluloid]]''.<ref name="ibnlive.in.com">[http://ibnlive.in.com/news/celluloid-actor-prithviraj-bags-the-kerala-state-film-awards/374503-71-210.html Celluloid actor Prithviraj bags the Kerala State Film Awards] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130328073732/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/celluloid-actor-prithviraj-bags-the-kerala-state-film-awards/374503-71-210.html |date=28 March 2013 }}. IBNLive.in.com (22 February 2012). Retrieved on 22 February 2012.</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=Photos IndiaMoviesCricketSportsTechAutoWorld |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/Celluloid(film)/photogallery/7638-14.html|title=Birthday Bumps: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Bollywood's new eye candy&#124;South Cinema Photos-IBNLive |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |access-date=2013-11-16}}{{dead link|date=April 2021|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

In 2010, Prithviraj began co-producing films for the production house [[August Cinema]], firstly his own starrer ''[[Urumi (film)|Urumi]]'' (2011). He co-produced and starred in ''[[Indian Rupee (film)|Indian Rupee]]'', winning the [[National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam]] and [[Kerala State Film Award for Best Film]].<ref name="Producer Prithviraj">{{cite web|url=http://www.sify.com/movies/prithviraj-turns-producer-with-urumi-news-malayalam-kkfqkfjeggcsi.html|title=Prithviraj turns producer with Urumi|date=17 July 2010|access-date=10 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160803122307/http://www.sify.com/movies/prithviraj-turns-producer-with-urumi-news-malayalam-kkfqkfjeggcsi.html|archive-date=3 August 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> He won a [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain]] for ''[[Kaaviya Thalaivan (2014 film)|Kaaviya Thalaivan]]'' (2014), followed by huge commercial successes like ''[[Ennu Ninte Moideen]]'' (2015) and ''[[Ezra (2017 film)|Ezra]]'' (2017). He ended partnership with August Cinema in 2017 and launched [[Prithviraj Productions]] independently, that firstly backed ''[[9 (2019 film)|9]]'' (2019). Prithviraj made his directorial debut with ''[[Lucifer (film)|Lucifer]]'' (2019), the [[List of highest-grossing Indian films#Malayalam|highest-grossing Malayalam film]] ever, and followed with notable hits like ''[[Driving License]]'' (2019), ''[[Ayyappanum Koshiyum]]'' (2020) and ''[[Jana Gana Mana (2022 film)|Jana Gana Mana]]'' (2022).<ref name=L />

Prithviraj was born to the actors [[Sukumaran]] and [[Mallika Sukumaran]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Hope I make you proud: Prithviraj on father Sukumaran's death anniversary|url=https://www.onmanorama.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2020/06/16/prithviraj-on-father-sukumaran-death-anniversary-post.html|access-date=2021-01-26|website=OnManorama}}</ref> at [[Thiruvananthapuram]].

His family was settled in Tamil Nadu at the time, where he attended Shrine Vailankanni Senior Secondary School in T. Nagar, Chennai, and [[St. Joseph's Boys School]], [[Coonoor]].<ref>{{cite web|title=പ്രിത്വിക്കു നൊന്ത്തൽ ഇന്ദ്രന് വേദനിക്കും:Interview with Mallika Sukumaran|url=https://www.facebook.com/nanaweekly/photos/pb.299431426750557.-2207520000.1445046810./1213588225334868/?type=3&theater|publisher=nanaonline.in|access-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160117124316/https://www.facebook.com/nanaweekly/photos/pb.299431426750557.-2207520000.1445046810./1213588225334868/?type=3&theater|archive-date=17 January 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> When the family moved to Kerala, he attended the NSS Public School, Perunthanni.<ref>{{cite web|title=പൃഥ്വിയ്ക്ക് എന്തെങ്കിലും വിഷമമുണ്ടായാല് ഇന്ദ്രനാണ് ദുഃഖം :Interview with Mallika Sukumaran|url=http://malayalam.filmibeat.com/interviews/malika-sukumaran-about-indrajith-prithviraj-025468.html|publisher=malayalam.oneindia.com|access-date=17 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017084051/http://malayalam.filmibeat.com/interviews/malika-sukumaran-about-indrajith-prithviraj-025468.html|archive-date=17 October 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> He then moved to [[St. Mary's Residential Central School]], [[Poojappura]] where he acted in plays and skits for the school's Annual Day Celebrations. He completed his education at [[Sainik School, Kazhakootam]] and [[Bhavan's Senior Secondary School, Kodunganoor]]. He also participated and won several debates and elocution competitions while in school.<ref name="Road to stardom" /><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Studying-at-Sainik-School-helped-me-handle-firearms-Prithviraj/articleshow/37331855.cms |title=Archived copy |website=[[The Times of India]] |access-date=29 May 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720174945/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/Studying-at-Sainik-School-helped-me-handle-firearms-Prithviraj/articleshow/37331855.cms |archive-date=20 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref> Prithviraj won the title of "Mr LA Fest" in the Annual Inter-School arts festival hosted by [[Loyola School, Thiruvananthapuram]] in successive years and is the only person to date to win that title twice.<ref>[http://ashok.loyolites.com/files/lafest10souvenir.pdf 10 years of LA Fest] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110713234921/http://ashok.loyolites.com/files/lafest10souvenir.pdf |date=13 July 2011 }}. ashok.loyolites.com</ref>

In 2001, Prithviraj underwent a screen-test by director Fazil for one of his projects. Even though that project never materialised, Fazil recommended him to director Ranjith, who was planning his second directorial, ''[[Nandanam (film)|Nandanam]]'' (2002), Prithviraj underwent screen-test for the role and got selected. Though ''Nandanam'' was the first film that Prithviraj acted in, it was released after ''[[Nakshathrakkannulla Rajakumaran Avanundoru Rajakumari]]''. Prithviraj then appeared in films directed by [[Lohithadas]], [[Vinayan]], [[Kamal (director)|Kamal]] and [[Bhadran (director)|Bhadran]]. [[Shyamaprasad]], who cast him in lead role in his film ''[[Akale]]'', said that Prithvi's advantages are his talent and intelligence irrespective of his box office successes.<ref name="Advantage">{{cite news

|publisher = Sify

In 2014, Prithviraj's first major release was ''[[London Bridge (film)|London Bridge]]'', which failed at box office; followed by ''[[7th Day (film)|7th Day]]'', which turned out to become a commercial success. He also did a cameo role in ''[[Munnariyippu]]''. His third release of the year, ''[[Sapthamashree Thaskaraha]]'' was praised by critics and audiences alike. His first release of 2015 was ''[[Picket 43]]''. His second movie of 2015 was Shyamaprasad's ''[[Ivide]]''. Prithviraj was widely praised for his acting in the movie. Varun Blake (Prithviraj's character in ''Ivide'') is considered to be one of his best performances till the date. He next appeared in [[Lijo Jose Pellissery]]'s ''[[Double Barrel (film)|Double Barrel]]'', which was appreciated for its novelty. His most successful film of the year was ''[[Ennu Ninte Moideen]]'', which narrated the tragic love tale of Kanchanamala and Moideen that happened in the 1960s in [[Mukkam]], a riverside village in Kerala. The film opened to critical acclaim, with several critics regarding it as one of the greatest romance films made in Malayalam.<ref>Rejath RG (21 September 2015). [http://www.kaumudi.com/innerpage1.php?newsid=69214 "Ennu Ninte Moideen is truly epic"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925193630/http://www.kaumudi.com/innerpage1.php?newsid=69214 |date=25 September 2015 }}. ''[[Kerala Kaumudi]]''. Retrieved 21 September 2015.</ref><ref>Akhila Menon (20 September 2015). [http://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2015/ennu-ninte-moideen-movie-review-198654.html "Ennu Ninte Moideen Movie Review: An Eternal Love Saga!"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925054812/http://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/news/2015/ennu-ninte-moideen-movie-review-198654.html |date=25 September 2015 }}. Retrieved 20 September 2015.</ref> His role as Moideen in the film is regarded as one of the best in his career.<ref>[http://www.deshabhimani.com/news-cinema-all-latest_news-507663.html "19 നാളില്‍ മൊയ്തീന് 20 കോടി"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151012002214/http://deshabhimani.com/news-cinema-all-latest_news-507663.html |date=12 October 2015 }}. Deshabhimani. Retrieved 15 October 2015.</ref> His next releases ''[[Amar Akbar Anthony (2015 film)|Amar Akbar Anthony]]'' and ''[[Anarkali (2015 film)|Anarkali]]'' became a major commercial success at the box office, thus completing a hat-trick of hits ending the year.

His first release of 2018 was Roshini Dinakar's romantic drama ''[[My Story (film)|My Story]]'', a commercial failure at the box office. His next two releases were [[Anjali Menon]]'s drama ''[[Koode]]'' and Nirmal Sahadev's crime drama ''[[Ranam (2018 film)|Ranam]]''. ''Koode'' received critical acclaim and was a commercial success, while ''Ranam'' met with positive critical response but performed moderately at the box office. In 2018, Prithviraj launched his independent production house, [[Prithviraj Productions]]. In 2019, he produced and starred in the science fiction film ''[[9 (2019 film)|9]]''. The film received critical praise for its novelty, actors' performance, direction and cinematography. It was a box office hit.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2019/02/14/prithviraj-nine-movie-pre-release-business-profit-venture.html|title='9' makes the producers happy!|website=OnManorama|language=en|access-date=2019-07-31|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190731145139/https://english.manoramaonline.com/entertainment/entertainment-news/2019/02/14/prithviraj-nine-movie-pre-release-business-profit-venture.html|archive-date=31 July 2019|url-status=live}}</ref> Prithviraj made his directorial debut in 2019 with ''[[Lucifer (film)|Lucifer]]'', starring [[Mohanlal]], the film became the [[List of highest-grossing Indian films|highest-grossing Malayalam film]] ever.<ref name=L>{{cite news|last=Kumar|first=Karthik|title=Mohanlal's Lucifer storms into Rs 200 crore club, first for Malayalam cinema|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mohanlal-s-lucifer-storms-into-rs-200-crore-club-first-for-malayalam-cinema/story-vTm7JXaAdz0FWFTllE4n2I.html|access-date=12 June 2019|work=[[Hindustan Times]]|date=4 June 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190611022057/https://www.hindustantimes.com/regional-movies/mohanlal-s-lucifer-storms-into-rs-200-crore-club-first-for-malayalam-cinema/story-vTm7JXaAdz0FWFTllE4n2I.html|archive-date=11 June 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[File:Prithviraj at Aiyyaa event.jpg|thumb|upright|Prithviraj in 2012]]

Prithviraj debuted in [[Bollywood]] through ''[[Aiyyaa]]'', directed by [[Sachin Kundalkar]]. ''Aiyyaa'', which was jointly produced by [[Anurag Kashyap]] and [[Viacom 18 Motion Pictures|Viacom 18]]<ref name="autogenerated1">{{cite web |url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/bollywood/rani-mukerjee-signs-anurag-kashyaps-next-138638 |title=Rani Mukerjee signs Anurag Kashyap's next |publisher=Ndtv.com |date=4 October 2011 |access-date=20 October 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120623060611/http://www.ndtv.com/article/bollywood/rani-mukerjee-signs-anurag-kashyaps-next-138638 |archive-date=23 June 2012}}</ref> released on 12 October 2012. His second film ''[[Aurangzeb (film)|Aurangzeb]]'', directed by Athul Sabharwal,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1451751/Prithviraj-to-star-in-YRFs-Aurangzeb |title=Prithviraj to star in YRF's Aurangzeb |publisher=BollywoodHungama.com |date=12 June 2012 |access-date=17 July 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120808203217/http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/news/1451751/Prithviraj-to-star-in-YRFs-Aurangzeb |archive-date=8 August 2012 |url-status=live }}</ref> released on 17 May 2013. His performance was highly praised. His next film was ''[[Naam Shabana]]'' in 2017, in which he played the antagonist.

Prithviraj married [[BBC India]] reporter Supriya Menon on 25 April 2011 in a private ceremony held in [[Palakkad]].<ref>{{cite news|url = http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article1766407.ece|title = Prithviraj gets married in Palakkad|newspaper = [[The Hindu]]|date = 25 April 2011|access-date = 2 October 2011|location = Palakkad|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20110821022251/http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/kerala/article1766407.ece|archive-date = 21 August 2011|url-status = live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url = http://newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/article388995.ece|title = Prithviraj: No more a bachelor boy|newspaper = [[The Indian Express]]|author = Asha Prakash|date = 28 April 2011|access-date = 28 April 2011|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160304214047/http://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/malayalam/article388995.ece|archive-date = 4 March 2016|url-status = live}}</ref> They have a daughter born in 2014. His family resides in [[Thevara]], [[Kochi]].<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://connectingmalayali.com/articles/business/42-all-about-kerala/film/250-malayalam-film-artists-contact-details |title=Archived copy |access-date=10 April 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170411135414/http://connectingmalayali.com/articles/business/42-all-about-kerala/film/250-malayalam-film-artists-contact-details |archive-date=11 April 2017 |url-status=live }}</ref>

| [[Filmfare Awards South]] || 2013 || [[Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor – South|Critics Award for Best Actor – South]] || ''[[Celluloid (film)|Celluloid]]''<ref name="Critics Award for Best Actor & Actress 2013">{{Cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/Winners-list-61st-Idea-Filmfare-Awards-South/articleshow/38287405.cms|title=Winners list: 61st Idea Filmfare Awards (South)|website=The Times of India|date=16 January 2017|access-date=12 March 2020}}</ref>

| [[Tamil Nadu State Film Awards]] || 2014 || [[Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain|Best Villain]] || ''[[Kaaviya Thalaivan (2014 film)|Kaaviya Thalaivan]]''<ref name=hi>{{cite news|url=http://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/tn-govt-announces-tamil-film-awards-for-six-years/article19273078.ece|title=TN Govt announces Tamil film awards for six years|work=[[The Hindu]]|access-date=2017-07-14|location=Chennai, India|date=2017-07-14}}</ref>

* [[Lucifer (2019 film)|Empuraan (franchise)]]