For many reasons, Prithviraj Sukumaran has been the main promoter of Kannada cinema in Kerala this year. The actor’s production house, Prithviraj Productions, has released three films in Sandalwood this year: Yash’s KGF: Chapter 2, Rakshit Shetty’s 777 Charlie and Rishab Shetty’s Kantara. But it was the massive success of Rishab’s film that really surprised him.
In a recent interview, the actor spoke about taking these films and bringing them to Malayalam audiences in the State. Prithviraj teamed up with Hombale Films for KGF: Chapter 2 and Kantara.
The actor told The Cue that Hombale Films had initially approached him to star in Prashanth Neel’s Salaar. KGF: This was when they were still filming Chapter 2. “During the debate, we said that the KGF was not released in Kerala as they thought it would be. And then they asked me if I could release KGF: Chapter 2? “Yes” I said. Back then, we didn’t know when the movie would release. That’s how I managed to distribute KGF 2″, he said.
However, it was Kantara who really surprised him. “I saw the film before it was released. I really liked the movie and said we should dub it in Malayalam and release it. But to be honest, I didn’t think it would be such a big commercial success. I called Rishabh and told him it was a great movie. I also really liked his performance. But I never expected it to be such a huge success,” said the actor, who will next be seen in Kaapa.
Prithviraj Productions released the Kannada version of Kantara initially only in six screens in Kerala. “But after seeing the feedback of the Kannada version, I called Risha and asked him to do his best to release it in Malayalam,” he said, adding that it was “very profitable” for his company.