Southern Spice: Real Hero's Prithviraj is an adrenaline junkie

Does Prithviraj Sukumaran need an introduction?

With more than 70 films under his belt, the versatile actor slips in and out of the skins of several characters, playing a range of emotions. Be it the firebrand leader in Classmates, or the real estate broker aspiring to become rich in Indian Rupee, or the villain you could not hate in Kana Kandein, or the mission-oriented cop in Ravanan, Prithviraj lives every role. The busy actor takes time off to discuss his upcoming films.

Excerpts from the interview.

What drew you to Manjadikuru?

When I read Anjali's [Menon] script, I found the story to be original. It deserved to be made. I joined the set after most of the film had been shot. The rushes were world class. Manjadikuru is entertaining, philosophical and satirical. The story is narrated from a child's perspective making adulthood look stupid.

How was it working with Anjali Menon?

She could have easily fooled me. Her work is so good that I found it hard to believe that she was a first-timer. Her clarity of thought and writing impressed me.

Tell us about your preparation for Hero.

I play a stuntmaster's assistant. For this role I had to get into the physicality of the character. We planned on an introductory fight scene to bring out this aspect of my character.

I had to work on building my body and conquering fear. We did not use any dupes while filming stunt scenes. They were done by me. And this included high risk action scenes such as jumping from the 10th floor, crashing through glass windows and even through fire. This is my second film with Deepan after Puthiya Mukham.

In Hero, we have taken the action scenes to the next level. As for injuries, luckily there were no major ones except for a few nicks and sprains.

How do you overcome your fears while performing action scenes without a double?

I don't make any effort as such to prepare myself for these scenes. I am an adrenaline junkie and taking risks gives me a high. I have been into scuba diving and paragliding. I have wanted to attempt bungee jumping but have not been able to do so yet.

How was it working with Deepan Sivakumar?

We share a good working relationship. The story idea for Hero came to me and I shared it with Deepan. We have no inhibitions with each other.

How do you slip into different roles?

When I read a script I am completely focused and get so absorbed in it that I know, by rote, the lines of my co-actors too. Consequently, I get into the behavioural patterns of my character and due to this involvement I am able to bring in that spontaneity to each role.

There have been times when I have worked on two films simultaneously and I admit that I don't enjoy working on two characters at the same time. In our industry, with films being made over 60 days, you live the character for a long time. So much that the character influences your dressing style and the way you speak.

It's been a long time since we saw you in other languages.

It is hard for an actor to work in more than one language, especially with the working culture in the Malayalam industry, where a film is shot at a stretch. Besides, I have not come across any interesting scripts in other languages.

Was acting what you always aspired to do?

Acting was not planned. Actually I never intended to become an actor. While films have always fascinated me, I was keen on learning the different aspects of filmmaking and assisting a director. I never thought I would be working in front of the camera.

Is your Hindi film ready?

Yes, Aiya is complete. It's a love story between a Marathi girl and a south Indian boy. This is a love story with a difference.

What are you working on now?

I am working on Simhasanam, directed by Shaji Kailas. It's a story inspired by the film The Godfather.

Real hero Director's cut: This is a story about stunt actors

Deepan Sivakumar's third film Hero is releasing Thursday in India. This action film, starring Prithviraj, is written by Vinod Guruvayur, scored by Gopi Sundar with cinematography by Bharani K. Dharan.

Sivakumar assisted director Shaji Kailas for 12 years before making his first film, Leader.

Talking about Hero, Sivakumar says, "This is a story about stunt actors who double up for heroes in action scenes. The audience knows little about their lives and the hardships they endure. My film is a story about an assistant to a stuntmaster."

This story is narrated in the form of a film that is being made within the film.

Tamil actor Srikanth plays the hero, Yami Gautham (of Vicky Donor fame), the heroine and Anoop Menon plays the film's director in the story.

"I have earlier worked with Raj in Puthiya Mukham, continues Deepan.

"It was a commercial hit and gave a boost to my career. In Puthiya Mukham we had shot stunt sequences hitherto unseen in Malayalam films thereby setting a new trend. In Hero, Kanal Kannan is the stuntmaster. And stunt scenes cost us since they form the essence of the story."

Praising Prithviraj's high energy levels, he says, "Raj never uses any dupe [body double] for his action scenes."

On Srikanth, he says, "His chocolate boy looks suited the character of the hero. While there are several good actors in the Malayalam industry who could have done this role, I chose Srikanth for the freshness that he will bring to the character."

This is Gautham's debut in Malayalam films. For her role, Sivakumar had considered glamorous actresses such as Trisha, Amala Paul, Amy Jackson and Tamannah, but there were date conflicts.

"Yami is a talented actor, committed to her work. Despite the language barrier she has put in a good performance. Again her fresh face will appeal to the audience," says the director.