‘Dulquer Salmaan has around 50 to 60 cars’: When Prithviraj Sukumaran opened up about their love for automobiles

Prithviraj Sukumaran and Dulquer Salmaan are among the biggest motorheads in Malayalam cinema, and they own extensive collections of cars, comprising both vintage and high-end models.

By: Entertainment Desk

Kochi | Updated: September 24, 2025 03:43 PM IST

4 min read

Prithviraj Sukumaran and Dulquer Salmaan are among the biggest motorheads in Malayalam cinema, and they own extensive collections of cars, comprising both vintage and high-end models.

(Credit: Instagram/@therealprithvi)

In a significant blow to Malayalam actors Prithviraj Sukumaran and Dulquer Salmaan, the Customs and Central Excise department in Kerala conducted searches on their premises on Tuesday in connection with the alleged smuggling of high-end luxury vehicles. The searches were carried out after the authorities received information that pre-owned, expensive SUVs from Bhutan had allegedly been smuggled into India, evading tax, and sold to businessmen and film professionals. Nonetheless, it has been learned that the actors and others who purchased the smuggled vehicles may not be part of the racket under scrutiny. A comprehensive investigation is currently underway.

Interestingly, Prithviraj and Dulquer are among the biggest motorheads in Malayalam cinema, and they both own extensive collections of cars, comprising both vintage and high-end models. Amid the recent incidents, one of Prithviraj’s old statements about Dulquer’s love for cars has resurfaced on social media, gaining attention.

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“Dulquer is a collector. He probably has around 50 to 60 cars. He finds happiness in collecting cars like that. On the other hand, I find happiness in driving cars. For that, I don’t need so many cars, right? For me, it’s not about keeping cars in the garage, but about using them. Dulquer also enjoys driving, but he takes even more joy in being a collector. Dulquer is a proper car lover,” Prithviraj revealed during a conversation with Mashable India.

In another interview, the actor-director-producer stated that his car collection was smaller compared to Dulquer’s. “He has an amazing car collection. He genuinely has a passion for cars. He does this as a true automobile enthusiast. I would love to make a documentary about his car collection. It’s that good,” Prithviraj told Indiaglitz once.

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Dulquer Salmaan’s car collection

In a series of videos shared on social media back in 2022, Dulquer had revealed some of the cars he owns. His impressive collection includes a 2002 BMW M3 E46, a 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG (with prices starting at Rs 2.54 crore), and a Porsche 911 GT3 (991.2), with its starting price between Rs 2.3 crore and over Rs 3 crore. According to NDTV, the actor also owns a Ferrari 296 GTB, which starts at around Rs 5.88 crore in India. He also reportedly has a Porsche Panamera, Mercedes-Maybach GLS 600, Mercedes-Benz S-Class, Mercedes-AMG G63, Mercedes-AMG A45, BMW 7 Series, Land Rover Range Rover, Land Rover Defender, VW Polo GTI, Mini Cooper S, Mazda MX-5 and a Toyota Innova Crysta.

In the searches carried out at around 30 locations across Kerala on Tuesday as part of the ongoing Operation Numkhor, about 36 high-end luxury cars were seized, news agency PTI reported, quoting T Tiju, Commissioner of the Customs Preventive Commissionerate in Kochi. Mentioning that the initial probe has revealed most of the vehicles are owned by high-net-worth individuals who “knowingly or unknowingly” purchased such vehicles, Tiju added, “No vehicle of Prithviraj was seized, but two of Dulquer Salmaan have been identified.”

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