# Prithviraj Sukumaran (പൃഥ്വീരാജ് സുകുമാരൻ)
**Prithviraj Sukumaran** (പൃഥ്വിരാജ് സുകുമാരൻ; born 1982) is an Indian actor, playback singer, producer, and film director best known for his work in [Malayalam cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/malayalam-cinema), credited mononymously as Prithviraj.[1](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1335387/) Active since 2002, he has acted in more than 130 films across Malayalam, Tamil, Hindi, and Telugu, and since 2019 has also directed major Malayalam productions.[2](https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Prithviraj+Sukumaran&category=actors) • [3](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1982 in Thiruvananthapuram; son of actor Sukumaran and actress Mallika Sukumaran[2](https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Prithviraj+Sukumaran&category=actors) • [3](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/) |
| Debut | *Nandanam* (2002), directed by Ranjith[2](https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Prithviraj+Sukumaran&category=actors) |
| Filmography | 131 films acted in, 114 released, spanning 2002 to 2027[2](https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Prithviraj+Sukumaran&category=actors) |
| Directing | *Lucifer* (2019) and *L2: Empuraan* (2025), both starring Mohanlal[4](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mohanlal-prithviraj-sukumaran-on-making-empuraan-this-is-not-all-just-glitz-and-snazzy-shots-9904860/) |
| Major acting honors | Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor for *Vaasthavam* (2006); a National Film Award, four Kerala State Film Awards, seven SIIMA Awards, and a South Filmfare Award among his awards[3](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/) |
| Physical transformation | Lost about 31 kg to play Najeeb in *Aadujeevitham* (The Goat Life, 2024)[5](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/interviews/2024/Apr/08/prithviraj-sukumaran-the-whole-world-wanted-us-to-move-on) |
| Upcoming | Plays the antagonist Kumbha in S.S. Rajamouli's *Varanasi* (2027)[6](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/got-to-see-rrrs-s-s-rajamouli-give-first-look-varanasi-event-india) |
## Early life and family
Prithviraj was born in 1982 in [Thiruvananthapuram](https://www.edgepedia.org/thiruvananthapuram) into a film family: his father was the actor [Sukumaran](https://www.edgepedia.org/sukumaran) and his mother is the actress [Mallika Sukumaran](https://www.edgepedia.org/mallika-sukumaran); his brother Indrajith Sukumaran is also an actor, and his wife is Supriya Menon, whom he married in 2011.[2](https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Prithviraj+Sukumaran&category=actors) • [3](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/) He studied at the Sainik School in Thiruvananthapuram and at Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, then enrolled in an undergraduate information technology course in Australia, entering cinema before completing it.[2](https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Prithviraj+Sukumaran&category=actors)
## Acting career
**Debut and early work.** His first film was Ranjith's *Nandanam* (2002), and he appeared in several other films that year, including *Kadha* and *Nakshathrakkannulla Rajakumaran Avanundoru Rajakumari*.[2](https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Prithviraj+Sukumaran&category=actors) His star value rose quickly, and the 2006 campus film *Classmates*, directed by [Lal Jose](https://www.edgepedia.org/lal-jose), was a major success that established him as a bankable lead.[2](https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Prithviraj+Sukumaran&category=actors) • [3](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/) He won his first [Kerala State Film Award for Best Actor](https://www.edgepedia.org/kerala-state-film-award-for-best-actor) for playing Balachandran Adiga in M. Padmakumar's *Vaasthavam* (2006).[3](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/) • [7](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/features/career-best-movies-of-prithviraj-sukumaran-056477.html)
**Work in other languages.** He debuted in [Tamil cinema](https://www.edgepedia.org/tamil-cinema) with *Kaanakanden* (2005) and drew attention for his performance in Radha Mohan's *Mozhi* (2007); his first Telugu film was *Police Police*.[2](https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Prithviraj+Sukumaran&category=actors) • [3](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/) Later pan-Indian work includes the Telugu action film *Salaar* (2023) and the Hindi film *Bade Miyan Chote Miyan* (2024).[3](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/)
**2011 and the producer years.** The year 2011 was a productive one: he acted in *Urumi*, *Indian Rupee*, and *City of God*, with *Urumi* and *Indian Rupee* also succeeding commercially.[7](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/features/career-best-movies-of-prithviraj-sukumaran-056477.html) He had entered film production as a co-producer of Santhosh Sivan's *Urumi* alongside Santhosh Sivan and Shaji Natesan, and *Indian Rupee*, which he co-produced and starred in, won a National Film Award.[2](https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Prithviraj+Sukumaran&category=actors) • [3](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/) Later acclaimed performances include *Ennu Ninte Moideen* (2015), *[Ezra](https://www.edgepedia.org/ezra-2017-film)* (2017), *Ayyappanum Koshiyum* (2020), and *Jana Gana Mana* (2022).[3](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/)
**Aadujeevitham.** The adaptation of Benyamin's novel *Aadujeevitham*, directed by Blessy, took 16 years from first discussion to release. Blessy approached Prithviraj in 2009 while he was shooting *Pokkiriraja*; filming finally began in 2018, and the desert schedule in Jordan was interrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Prithviraj reduced close to 30 kg for the role and says he ultimately shed about 31 kg. On release in 2024 as *The Goat Life*, the makers claimed it was the fastest Rs 100-crore grosser from Malayalam.[5](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/interviews/2024/Apr/08/prithviraj-sukumaran-the-whole-world-wanted-us-to-move-on)
## Directing
Prithviraj's directorial debut, *Lucifer* (2019), starred Mohanlal and became a box-office success; per [The Indian Express](https://www.edgepedia.org/the-indian-express), it opened up the overseas theatrical market of Malayalam cinema.[3](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/) • [8](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/prithviraj-sukumaran-on-pan-indian-appeal-of-his-small-film-empuraan-for-the-first-half-hour-it-would-feel-like-a-hindi-film-9808259/lite/) Its sequel, *L2: Empuraan*, written by [Murali Gopy](https://www.edgepedia.org/murali-gopy) and released on 27 March 2025, continued the story of the 2017-set events and was positioned as a large-scale, multilingual tentpole with substantial Hindi-language portions.[4](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mohanlal-prithviraj-sukumaran-on-making-empuraan-this-is-not-all-just-glitz-and-snazzy-shots-9904860/) • [8](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/prithviraj-sukumaran-on-pan-indian-appeal-of-his-small-film-empuraan-for-the-first-half-hour-it-would-feel-like-a-hindi-film-9808259/lite/) • [9](https://sanghamam.com/upimages/epapers/17443469064803344881_TX.pdf) He has said he finds direction more complex than acting, and a possible third chapter in the *Lucifer* franchise depends on aligning the schedules of Mohanlal, writer Murali Gopy, and himself.[10](https://www.esquireindia.co.in/entertainment/the-interview/prithviraj-sukumaran-finds-direction-more-complex-than-acting) • [11](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/amp/story/features/insight/featuresinsightprithviraj-sukumaran-on-upcoming-projects-odiyan-the-age-of-illusion-khalifa-daayra-and-a-possible-l3)
## Producing and pan-Indian projects
Through Prithviraj Productions he has moved into large-scale co-productions. Odiyan: The Age of Illusion, directed by [Rahul Sadasivan](https://www.edgepedia.org/rahul-sadasivan) and starring Prithviraj and [Manju Warrier](https://www.edgepedia.org/manju-warrier), is co-produced with [Karan Johar](https://www.edgepedia.org/karan-johar)'s Dharma Productions and marks Dharma's entry into Malayalam cinema; Prithviraj made producing the film his first condition when Sadasivan brought it to him.[11](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/amp/story/features/insight/featuresinsightprithviraj-sukumaran-on-upcoming-projects-odiyan-the-age-of-illusion-khalifa-daayra-and-a-possible-l3) His slate also includes *Khalifa*, in which he plays Amir Ali with a planned second chapter featuring Mohanlal, and *Daayra*, directed by Meghna Gulzar and co-starring Kareena Kapoor Khan.[11](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/amp/story/features/insight/featuresinsightprithviraj-sukumaran-on-upcoming-projects-odiyan-the-age-of-illusion-khalifa-daayra-and-a-possible-l3)
His most prominent upcoming role is the antagonist Kumbha in S.S. Rajamouli's *Varanasi*, a time-spanning action adventure headlined by [Mahesh Babu](https://www.edgepedia.org/mahesh-babu) and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, set for global release on 7 April 2027 in IMAX.[6](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/got-to-see-rrrs-s-s-rajamouli-give-first-look-varanasi-event-india) • [12](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/if-you-loved-netflix-rrr-we-have-good-news-about-next-epic-ss-rajamouli-varanasi) Filming it, he has said, involves early-morning call times and 20-minute lunch breaks, and he has described Rajamouli as the best actor-director to have directed him apart from Mohanlal.[13](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/amp/story/features/insight/featuresinsightprithviraj-sukumaran-on-working-with-ss-rajamouli-on-varanasi-he-looks-like-a-new-director-who-had-to-wait-20-30-years-to-make-his-first-film)
## Recognition
His awards include a National Film Award, four [Kerala State Film Awards](https://www.edgepedia.org/kerala-state-film-awards), a Tamil Nadu State Film Award, seven SIIMA Awards, and a South Filmfare Award, along with Asianet Film Awards for Best Director (for *Lucifer*, 2020) and Best Actor (for *Ennu Ninte Moideen*, 2016).[3](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/) His career has combined commercial leads with experimental roles, and his production and distribution activity has made him one of the Malayalam industry's figures operating at a pan-Indian scale.[3](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/) • [5](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/interviews/2024/Apr/08/prithviraj-sukumaran-the-whole-world-wanted-us-to-move-on)
## References
1. [Prithviraj Sukumaran, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm1335387/)
2. [Prithviraj Sukumaran profile, MalayalaSangeetham.Info / MSIDB](https://en.msidb.org/displayProfile.php?artist=Prithviraj+Sukumaran&category=actors)
3. [Prithviraj Sukumaran: News, Movies, Photos, Videos & Updates, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/about/prithviraj-sukumaran/)
4. [Mohanlal, Prithviraj on Empuraan, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/mohanlal-prithviraj-sukumaran-on-making-empuraan-this-is-not-all-just-glitz-and-snazzy-shots-9904860/)
5. [Prithviraj Sukumaran: The whole world wanted us to move on, Cinema Express](https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/interviews/2024/Apr/08/prithviraj-sukumaran-the-whole-world-wanted-us-to-move-on)
6. [We Got To See RRR's S.S. Rajamouli Drop A First Look At His Next Movie, CinemaBlend](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/got-to-see-rrrs-s-s-rajamouli-give-first-look-varanasi-event-india)
7. [Career Best Movies Of Prithviraj Sukumaran, Filmibeat Malayalam](https://malayalam.filmibeat.com/features/career-best-movies-of-prithviraj-sukumaran-056477.html)
8. [Prithviraj Sukumaran on pan-Indian appeal of his 'small film' Empuraan, The Indian Express](https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/malayalam/prithviraj-sukumaran-on-pan-indian-appeal-of-his-small-film-empuraan-for-the-first-half-hour-it-would-feel-like-a-hindi-film-9808259/lite/)
9. [1200 മിഥം 27 – മേടം 03 • 2025 APRIL 10, Sanghamam epaper](https://sanghamam.com/upimages/epapers/17443469064803344881_TX.pdf)
10. [Prithviraj Sukumaran: Direction Is Tougher Than Acting, Esquire India](https://www.esquireindia.co.in/entertainment/the-interview/prithviraj-sukumaran-finds-direction-more-complex-than-acting)
11. [Prithviraj Sukumaran on 'Odiyan', 'Khalifa', 'Daayra' and 'L3' Plans, The Hollywood Reporter India](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/amp/story/features/insight/featuresinsightprithviraj-sukumaran-on-upcoming-projects-odiyan-the-age-of-illusion-khalifa-daayra-and-a-possible-l3)
12. [If You Loved Netflix Phenomenon RRR, We Have Good News About The Next Epic From SS Rajamouli, CinemaBlend](https://www.cinemablend.com/movies/if-you-loved-netflix-rrr-we-have-good-news-about-next-epic-ss-rajamouli-varanasi)
13. [Inside SS Rajamouli's Varanasi: Prithviraj Sukumaran Reveals Gruelling Schedule, The Hollywood Reporter India](https://www.hollywoodreporterindia.com/amp/story/features/insight/featuresinsightprithviraj-sukumaran-on-working-with-ss-rajamouli-on-varanasi-he-looks-like-a-new-director-who-had-to-wait-20-30-years-to-make-his-first-film)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Film and television › Films and standalone screen works › Film people and crafts › Film actors and performers › Indian and South Asian film actors by industry and language › Malayalam film actors › Surnames S to W*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Sep 18, 2026; Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
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