Prithviraj on missing out on directing Rajinikanth: ‘I was only a part-time director, could not come up with a film for him’

The Mohanlal film is backed by Lyca Productions, and it marks their entry in Malayalam cinema. “The opportunity to direct Rajini sir was such an important one, especially for a new director like me. I tried my best to come up with something. However, they had a timeline in place, and since I was only a part-time director, I couldn’t come up with a film for Rajini sir,” said Prithviraj, who has previously spoken about how Rajinikanth reached out to him to praise his performance in the 2007 film, Mozhi. The actor-filmmaker iterated that the offer fell through not because he couldn’t direct a film with Rajinikanth, but because he wasn’t able to, at that point of time.

Prithviraj also spoke about how this offer from Lyca cemented his friendship with Subaskaran, and they started conjuring up possible collaborations in the future, which has finally come to fruition with L2: Empuran and another project, headlined by him. “Lyca Productions wanted me to do a really, big ambitious project as an actor. I loved the script, and I have given my go-ahead.”

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Lyca Productions, which is currently in a slump of sorts due to the mixed responses to its recent films like Laal Salaam, Indian 2, and the rescheduling of the release date of Ajith Kumar’s Vidaamuyarchi, will be hoping they strike gold in their maiden entry into Malayalam cinema. L2: Empuraan, which is set to be the second film of a three-part franchise, directed by Prithviraj, and written by Murali Gopy, also stars Manju Warrier, Tovino Thomas, and Suraj Venjaramoodu in pivotal roles. The film is set to hit the screens on March 27.