Prithviraj Sukumaran: Though I loved Rishab Shetty's Kantara, I never expected it to be such a big hit

For a lot of reasons, Prithviraj Sukumaran, this year, has been the main promoter for Kannada cinema in Kerala. The actor’s production company, Prithviraj Productions, distributed three movies from Sandalwood this year – Yash’s KGF: Chapter 2, Rakshit Shetty’s 777 Charlie and Rishab Shetty’s Kantara. But it was stupendous success of the Rishab’s film that truly blew him away.

In a recent interview, the actor opened up about taking up these films and bringing it to the Malayali audience in the State. Prithviraj had teamed up with Hombale Films for both KGF: Chapter 2 and Kantara.

Also read: Prithviraj Sukumaran on Pathaan’s Besharam Rang row: ‘It’s sad that an artform is subjected to such tests’ 

The actor told The Cue that Hombale Films had initially approached him to act in Prashanth Neel’s Salaar. This was when KGF: Chapter 2 was still being shot. “During the discussion, we talked about how KGF wasn’t released the way they thought it would be in Kerala. And then they asked me if I could release KGF: Chapter 2? I said, ‘Yes’. Back then, we didn’t know when the movie would release. That’s how I got to distribute KGF 2,” he said.

However, it was Kantara that truly surprised him. “I had watched the movie before it had released. I loved the film 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 hit. I called Rishab and told him it was a magnificent film. I also loved his performance. But I never expected it to be such a massive success,” said the actor, who will next be seen in Kaapa.

Prithviraj Productions had initially released Kantara’s Kannada version in only six screens in Kerala. “But after seeing the feedback for the Kannada version, I called up Rishab and asked him to do whatever possible to release it in Malayalam,” he said, adding that it was a “hugely profitable” venture for his company.