I can’t be like Prithviraj, says complete actor Mohanlal !
Last year on September 15th, Mohanlal made one of the biggest announcements ever in Malayalam cinema. It was about his movie Lucifer written by Murali Gopy and directed by one of the promising actors in South India, Prithviraj Sukumaran. The news came in as a huge surprise for the Malayali audience. After the announcement was made, many speculations are doing the rounds about the movie.Several fan made posters and designs pop up every now and then in social media pages.
Initially Lucifer was a brainchild of late director Rajesh Pillai and Murali Gopy. But the project could not materialize due to various reasons. Murali Gopy wanted Prithviraj to direct the movie but with a different script. Thus the project was confirmed with Mohanlal in the lead and also produced by his home production house Aashiravad Cinemas.
Recently, Mohanlal talked more about the movie and how he signed for the project. “We have been planning the film for sometime now. Right now only the title is fixed. I have worked with both their fathers. I have acted in Bharath Gopy’s directorial and Sukumaran’s production. I have also shared screen space with them in many movies. So, when I was offered this movie, I accepted to be part of it. Both Murali Gopy and Prithviraj are very sensible. From our conversations about movies, I have learnt that they are well-versed with cinema and the expectations of the industry. Also I liked the concept of Lucifer. Now, they will have to develop the script. We will have to sit for many discussions because when so many people are involved, we cannot just make an ordinary film. So, the content has to be good and that’s what the focus is right now. I will be meeting them soon to discuss when it will start rolling.”
When asked whether he has any plans for direction Mohanlal said, “direction is a different field altogether. Just like that I can direct but that will not do any justice to a movie. If you take a look at an actor like Prithviraj, right from the beginning of his career, he was interested in direction. He watches and studies movies for that purpose. For doing that I need to find time. I have to stop acting and write a script but all of that is a huge task. If I get a good story, a good cinematographer and an associate director, I can direct but that’s not doing justice to the art. I have shot several songs, scenes and stunts in many of my movies. When some directors of my movies were unable to be on the sets due to some reasons, they have asked me for help and I have directed. But to direct an entire movie and carry it on your shoulders is a different art altogether. I don’t think I can do it even in the future because it’s difficult. I always like to be free. After some time I will call it a day and go for travel. Not sure if that will happen or not”
Both Prithviraj and Mohanlal are having a handful of projects especially the former who has committed to almost 7-8 movies. So it is not yet clear when Lucifer will go on floors
