Malayalam cinema is yet to discover a lot of untapped markets

I am truly flattered that I am a part of a filmmaker's vision behind which he threw 16 years of his life.

- POOJA BIRAIA JAISWAL

The name Prithviraj means ‘one who rules the world’. Actor-director Prithviraj Sukumaran dreams of the Indian film industry, particularly his home industry Mollywood, ruling the global entertainment landscape with quality content.

The 41-year-old, who has been in lead roles for 22 years, is considered a great visionary in Mollywood. He has been a successful director, playback singer, producer, distributor and action choreographer.

His latest film, The Goat Life, directed by the National Award-winning director Blessy, takes Malayalam cinema to a global audience. An international coproduction involving companies in India and the US, The Goat Life is an adaptation of the bestselling Malayalam novel Aadujeevitham by Benyamin. The novel is based on the experiences of Najeeb, a Malayali labourer who was forced into slavery as a goatherd on a secluded, Saudi Arabian farm.

Prithviraj spoke to THE WEEK about The Goat Life and its grand vision, and the struggles he and Blessy had to go through to complete the shoot. Excerpts:

Q\ The Goat Life is based on a novel about the experiences of Najeeb. Did you talk to him before undertaking the film? What insights did he share?

A\ The first time I spoke to Najeeb was after the last shot of the film. He was on location that day. So I did the final shot, the director said cut and wrap, and that is when I walked behind the camera and spoke to him for the first time. We recorded and shot the conversation, and I think it should be releasing very soon. My interpretation of Najeeb is largely dependent on the book and Blessy’s vision of the story.

Q\ As a filmmaker yourself, how would you assess Blessy’s efforts in bringing the book to the screen?