Malayalam actor and filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran has declared that Mollywood is currently experiencing one of the most thrilling periods in its entire history. The industry is witnessing back-to-back successful films that are capturing audience attention both locally and globally.
Breaking Records is the Real Progress
While celebrating the current success streak, Prithviraj emphasizes that genuine growth doesn't come from clinging to records but from consistently surpassing them. The actor specifically mentioned the current record-holder 'Lokah' and expressed his sincere hope that another Malayalam film would soon break its milestone.
"Right now, the film holding the all-time record is Lokah, and we can only hope that another Malayalam film soon surpasses that milestone," Prithviraj stated during his interview with Manorama Online. He believes this healthy competition between films indicates real progress for the industry.
Box Office Success vs Financial Uncertainty
Despite the remarkable theatrical performance, Prithviraj highlights a significant concern facing Malayalam cinema - the absence of a consistent and stable revenue stream. The financial infrastructure hasn't developed to a point where producers can confidently recover their investments.
This financial uncertainty has resulted in fewer films being produced compared to previous years. However, Prithviraj finds encouragement in one key development: when a film succeeds today, its global theatrical revenue is two or even three times higher than what Malayalam cinema used to earn just five or six years ago. He describes this as a highly motivating sign for everyone in the industry.
Audience Love Overwhelms Awards
Reflecting on his recent survival drama 'Aadujeevitham', Prithviraj explained why audience response means far more to him than awards and accolades. He imagined an alternative scenario where the film failed miserably in theaters but won 15 National Awards, stating he would have felt no happiness in that situation.
His greatest satisfaction comes from knowing that millions of people watched the film in theaters and shared positive opinions worldwide. According to Prithviraj, an award represents merely the preference of a small jury, while audience love is the genuine reward that every filmmaker truly desires.
On the work front, Prithviraj Sukumaran's most recent project is 'Vilayath Buddha', continuing his diverse choice of roles in the evolving Malayalam film industry.
