Prithviraj Sukumaran is an Indian actor, director, and film producer, with many of his films in Malayalam. As of 2023, he has acted in over 110 films in various languages. He is known for his work in the films Classmates (2006), Lucifer (2019), and AK Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2020).
Wiki/Biography
Prithviraj Sukumaran was born on 16 October 1982 (age 41 years; as of 2023) in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India. His zodiac sign is Libra.
Since the family was settled in Tamil Nadu, he started his primary education at Shrine Vailankanni Senior Secondary School in Chennai, Tamil Nadu and then at St Joseph’s Boy’s Higher Secondary School in Coonoor, Tamil Nadu. The family returned to Kerala, where he joined St Mary’s Residential Central School in Poojappura, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He passed the Sainik School entrance examination and studied at Sainik School in Kazhakootam, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. To be a day scholar after his father’s death, he joined Bhavan’s Senior Secondary School in Kodunganoor, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He participated in and won various debate competitions during his school days.
After his school education, he joined the Bachelor’s degree in Information Technology at the University of Tasmania in Australia but dropped out as his acting career started to take off.
Physical Appearance
Height: 6′ 1″
Weight (approx.): 90 kg
Hair Colour: Black
Eye Colour: Black
Body Measurements (approx.):Chest: 44″, Waist: 30″, Biceps: 16″
Family & Caste
Prithviraj is from a Keralite Hindu family of the Nair caste.
Parents & Siblings
Prithviraj was born to Sukumaran and Mallika Sukumaran, both actors from the Malayalam film industry. Sukumaran was an English professor at a college in Nagercoil, before becoming an actor and producer. Some of his films are Bandhanam (1978), Kolilakkam (1981), and Oru CBI Diary Kurippu (1988). He also had a production house by the name Indraraj Creations. He passed away due to a massive heart attack in 1997. His mother, Mallika Sukumaran, is an actress and a businessperson, who acted in various films such as Sara’s (2021), Bro Daddy (2022), and Gold (2022).
His brother Indrajith Sukumaran is an actor, who acted in films such as Meesa Madhavan (2002) and Classmates (2006). His sister-in-law Poornima Indrajith, is also an actor and a businessperson. Some of her films are Randam Bhavam (2001) and Virus (2009). She owns a boutique named Pranaah.
Wife & Children
Prithviraj married Supriya Menon on 25 April 2011. Supriya is a former BBC India news journalist, and co-founder of the production house, Prithviraj Productions. They have a daughter, Alankrita Menon Prithviraj.
Other Relatives
Prithviraj’s niece, Prarthana Indrajith, is a playback singer in the Malayalam film industry. Some of the songs under her name are La La Laletta (2018), Thaarapadhamake (2019), and Viduthalai(2022).
Relationships/Affairs
Prithviraj Sukumaran reportedly dated Supriya Menon for four years before their marriage. When Supriya was working as a news journalist in Mumbai, they were introduced to each other as part of a work assignment.
Religion/Religious Views
Prithviraj Sukumaran does not follow any religion. According to him, he believes that there is a superpower that controls the Universe. He visits certain temples and churches and has a prayer room at his home.
Signature/Autograph
Career
Actor
Prithviraj started his acting career as the character Manu in the film Nandanam (2002) directed by Ranjith. The film was a box-office success, but it was released after two of his other films, Nakshathrakkannulla Rajakumaran Avanundoru Rajakumari (2002) and Stop Violence (2002).
Prithviraj worked with directors such as Kamal, Shyamaprasad, Lohithadas, and Santosh Sivan early on in his career. Some of the films during the initial years of his career are Swapnakoodu (2003), Akale (2004), Sathyam (2004), Police (2005), and Anandabhadram (2005).
Prithviraj debuted in the Tamil film industry with the film Kana Kandaen (2005) directed by K. V. Anand. His character, Madhan, is the antagonist in this film. The film Classmates (2006), directed by Lal Jose, was a turning point in his career. The character Suku, the charismatic college political leader turned diamond merchant was well-appreciated by the audience. The film was the highest-collection film in 2006 and bagged various awards and acclaim.
Prithviraj got his first Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for the character Balachandra Adiga in the film Vaasthavam (2006). The film, directed by M. Padmakumar, is a political thriller loosely based on Thakazhi Sivasankara Pillai’s novel Enippaadikal. The films, Chocolate (2007), Puthiya Mugham (2009), Pokkiri Raja (2010), and Anwar (2010) are some of his films that did well at the box office till 2010.
His Telugu film industry debut was in the film Police Police (2010) and his Bollywood debut was in the film Aiyaa (2012) with co-actor Rani Mukherji. Some of his successful films are Arjunan Saakshi (2011), Ayalum Njanum Thammil (2012), Celluloid (2013), Ennu Ninte Moideen (2015), Driving License (2019), AK Ayyappanum Koshiyum (2020), and Jana Gana Mana (2022).
Director
Prithviraj’s directorial debut was the film, Lucifer (2019), starring Mohanlal, Vivek Oberoi, Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, and Indrajith Sukumaran. The film is a political action thriller that was released in various languages. It was a huge commercial success. His second directorial is Bro Daddy (2022), a comedy-drama, which was also a commercial hit. The cast of Bro Daddy are Mohanlal, Lalu Alex, Kalyani Priyadarshan, Meena, Mallika Sukumaran, and Prithviraj Sukumaran.
Business
In 2011, Prithviraj, along with Santosh Sivan and Shaji Nadesan, came together to form August Cinema Pvt Ltd, a production and distribution venture. The first film by this company was Urumi (2011). Some of the other films from this production house are Indian Rupee (2011), Kadal Kadannu Oru Maathukutty (2013), Anuraga Karikkin Vellam (2016), Theevandi (2018), and Ottu (2022). In June 2017, Prithviraj announced his withdrawal from the partnership venture.
Prithviraj and his wife co-founded the production and distribution company, Prithviraj Productions Private Ltd, in 2018. Some of the films from this production house are Kuruthi (2021), Kaduva (2022), and Gold (2022).
Awards
- In 2006, Prithviraj received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for the film, Vaasthavam.
- In 2011, he received the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam for the film Indian Rupee.
- In 2011, he received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film for the film Indian Rupee. This award is shared with Santosh Sivan and Shaji Nadesan.
- In 2012, he received the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for the films Ayalum Njanum Thammil and Celluloid.
- In 2013, he received the Critics Award for Best Actor- South at the Filmfare Awards South for the film Celluloid.
- In 2014, he received the Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain for the film, Kaaviya Thaliavan.
- He received the Best Director Award in 2019 and the Best Actor Award in 2020 at the South Indian International Movie Awards (SIIMA).
Car Collection
- Lamborghini Urus 2019 model
- Range Rover Vogue
Salary/ Income
Prithviraj Sukumaran charges Rs 3 crore to 7 crore per film.
Net Worth
As of 2023, the net worth of Prithviraj Sukumaran is estimated to be around USD 6.5 million or Rs 54 crores.
Facts/Trivia
- Prithviraj won the title of Mr LA Fest at the interschool competition LA Fest, two years consecutively, in 1998 and 1999. As of 2023, this record is not broken.
- Prithviraj’s first screen test was taken by director Fazil for one of his films. Though it did not work out, Fazil suggested him to director Ranjith, who cast him in the movie Nandanam.
- As of 2023, Prithviraj is the youngest recipient of the Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor at 24.
- Prithviraj has a pet dachshund named Zorro.
- Prithviraj likes to read, write, travel, and take photos.
- During the film industry crisis in 2004, there was a difference of opinion between the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) and the Kerala Film Chamber of Commerce regarding the appearance of actors in television programmes and stage shows. The strike of actors regarding such matters was openly challenged by Prithviraj, stating that his decision to continue with the shoot of the film Sathyam was not to show disrespect to AMMA, but because his career was getting affected.
Be the first to comment