Hes got the Moves

It was tough not to be impressed by the actor who adeptly matched steps (Dreamum Wakeupum) with Rani.

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Hes got the Moves

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When Dreamum Wakeupum,a dance number from Aiyyaa,first played on television,it was tough not to be impressed by the flexible actor who was adeptly matching steps with Rani Mukerji. Malayalam actor Prithviraj Sukumaran isnt a famous face in Bollywood but his dance moves,Cupid-like smile and lean physique have won him many admirers this side of town. So,it comes as a surprise when he says,I hate dancing and all that you see on screen is just an act. Deep within my heart,I am still fighting with this fact. The only reason I look comfortable with dancing is that I have done it time and again for over 80 films in 12 years, he smiles.

After Malayalam film stalwarts Mohanlal and Mamootty,Prithviraj is perhaps the next most sought-after actor in the industry. With a plethora of awards and acclaimed films such as Urumi,Vaasthavam and Raavanan to his credit ,the actor has balanced commercial ventures with art-house cinema. Over the years,he has also made it a point to work in Tamil and Telugu industries. The Hindi film industry,however,did not quite take notice of him for a very long time. Although I did want to work here,I did not want to do a film just for the heck of it. When Aiyya was offered to me,I took it up because of its originality. The fact that it is my Hindi debut is just secondary, says the 29-year-old.

While shooting for Aiyyaa,he was also called to audition for Yashraj Films Atul Sabharwal-directed Aurangzeb. I hadnt given an audition in my entire life. But when Shanoo Sharma,the casting director asked me to,I did not hesitate. I am glad I bagged the film because I gave the best audition and not because of who I am, he states. But the actor is also aware that he will know his real place in the Hindi film industry only after he has been accepted by colleagues and the audience here.

He belongs to a family of actors – his father P Sukumaran was a famous Malayalam actor,his mother Mallika Sukumaran is well-known for her work on television and brother Indrajeet is also an actor. But,Prithviraj was the least inclined to this field. It was while pursuing his graduation in Information Technology in Australia that director Ranjith offered him the lead role in Nandanam. I gave him a deadline to finish the film, he says.

After acting in his first six films,he realised that cinema was his true calling. I believe it more so now because,even in my 85th film,shooting gives me the same adrenaline rush that I felt in the first film, he says. Prithviraj is now looking at the Hindi film industry in terms of a new beginning. While I have done pretty well in the Malayalam industry – from action-packed potboilers to intense love stories I believe the exposure in the Hindi film industry is greater, he says.

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