New Delhi | Malayalam star Prithviraj Sukumaran says the success of spiritual film "Hanuman Ansh", which has surprised many with its strong box office performance, is an example of how content can determine a movie's reach and prove that the scale of a film is no longer defined by its budget.
"The budget of a film does not govern its scope anymore. It's just the content. If the budget of a film governed the scope, we wouldn't be talking about 'Hanuman Ansh' today," the actor told reporters at a promotional event for his upcoming movie "Daayra" on Wednesday evening.
"Hanuman Ansh", a small-budget movie based on the life and teachings of spiritual leader Baba Neem Karoli, has emerged as one of the surprise hits of the year.
The film had a slow start at the box office following its release last month, but positive word of mouth helped it gain momentum and it has since earned over Rs 250 crore at the box office.
Prithviraj will be next seen in filmmaker Meghna Gulzar's "Daayra", which also stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and is set to release in theatres on September 18.
The actor revealed when he joined "Daayra", he was simultaneously shooting "Varanasi", the upcoming big-budget action film directed by S S Rajamouli.
He said the contrast between the two productions made for an interesting experience.
"Here I was doing a very compact, tight production and, of course, 'Varanasi' being Rajamouli Sir's magnum opus, it's like a very big set-up and big production. Both are processes that I enjoy. Both are processes I love. And I just hope and pray that I get to be part of such different films even in the future," he said.
"Daayra" is set in the aftermath of a crime that sparks widespread outrage while setting a series of events and two investigations in motion.
As the search for answers deepens, two senior police officers, played by Kareena and Prithviraj, navigate the same system through different approaches to duty and justice, on opposing sides of a case that challenges the very idea of right and wrong, reads the official synopsis of the movie.
Prithviraj essays the role of DCP Raman Kumar.
Many people have pointed out that the film is based on the 2019 Hyderabad rape-murder case, but the 43-year-old actor said "Daayra" was inspired by multiple incidents rather than a single case and takes a broader look at what follows a crime.
"Raman or this film or this incident is not inspired by just one. I wish it was. It's inspired from a slew of incidents that happened across timelines, across places in the country," he said.
"It has a broader perspective than just looking at one incident... The film is about the perspective on what happens after the incident. It's about kind, the quantum of punishment, justice and the deliverance of justice," he added.
Prithviraj said the film deliberately avoids taking sides, with both Raman and Kareena's DCP Ajooni Kohli representing positions that have elements he agrees and disagrees with.
"The film is not about picking sides. If you ask me, whose side are you on, this film exists because I do not agree with the entirety of Raman. But the problem is I do not disagree with the entirety of Raman either. The same goes for Ajooni, I agree with a lot of things that Ajooni says and does but there are many that I don't agree with," he said.
"It is in that grey area where the film exists and characters thrive. So it is slightly more complex than thinking and deciding, okay, this is the side I want to be on," he added.
Prithviraj also said "Daayra" is distinct from his 2022 film "Jana Gana Mana", despite both films dealing with crime and the justice system.
"'Jana Gana Mana' is a film that uses the incident to put a perspective on the socio-political scenario of a system. This is different. 'Jana Gana Mana' is largely about the incident. 'Daayra' is not about the incident. It is about the procedures that the system initiates post such an incident," he said.
The actor said his initial hesitation about taking up the film disappeared after hearing Meghna's approach to the subject.
"When I first got a call from a manager friend of mine saying, Meghna Gulzar is making a film and it is about this. My first reaction was, 'Oh, I have actually done a film which is vaguely inspired from a similar incident.' Then he said, 'I have also seen that film but I still think you should listen to this film.' And that was a great piece of advice because I just think that it is amazing how similar incidents can inspire such different films," he said.
Produced by Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios, "Daayra" will be released in cinemas on September 18.
