Prithviraj Sukumaran has offered a refreshingly unfiltered view of how differently Malayalam cinema and Bollywood function behind the scenes, just a day before Daayra opens in theatres on September 18, 2026. The actor, who headlines Meghna Gulzar’s new film alongside Kareena Kapoor Khan, said the biggest contrast lies in how informal and direct Malayalam cinema remains, even while mounting ambitious films.
Prithviraj On Why Malayalam Cinema Feels More Humane
Speaking about the difference in working culture, Prithviraj said, “I think it’s how informal we are as an industry. Our bag is light compared to Bollywood.”
He went on to underline that the informality is not a sign of smaller ambition, but a defining strength. In his words, “Even while attempting these big films, there’s an informal way Malayalam films are made. That approach brings a tangible, humane element to the cinema we make.”
That observation lands at a time when Malayalam cinema continues to draw national attention for its storytelling choices, production agility and actor-driven collaborations. Prithviraj’s comments also stand out because he has worked across industries for years, giving him a clear vantage point on how systems differ in practice.
His Sharp Comparison With Bollywood’s Corporate Setup
While explaining how naturally collaborations can begin in Kerala’s film industry, Prithviraj said, “If I wanted to make a film with Kareena, as a director, I’d just call her and say, ‘Hi, I’d like to make a film with you. I can narrate the script.’”
He then described Bollywood’s more layered structure, saying, “I’ve learnt that you have to call the agency. The agency will then speak to the manager assigned to you, and the manager will convince you to take the meeting with the director. If it’s someone like Meghna, it doesn’t take too much convincing. So, it’s all very corporate. I guess it works. But I think there’s an easier way to do things.”
It was a crisp, experience-backed snapshot of two very different working models, one built on direct access and the other on formal representation.
Daayra Heads Into Release
That contrast in work culture gives Prithviraj’s latest remarks added weight as Daayra enters its final pre-release moment. Directed by Meghna Gulzar, the film stars Kareena Kapoor Khan and Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead and is backed by Junglee Pictures and Pen Studios. With the film arriving in cinemas on September 18, 2026, his comments have become part of the conversation around one of Bollywood’s closely watched releases this week.
Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Recent And Upcoming Work
Prithviraj has maintained strong momentum across languages in recent years. He appeared in the Hindi action film Bade Miyan Chote Miyan in 2024 and Sarzameen in 2025. His directorial outing L2: Empuraan added another major chapter to his career, reinforcing his range both in front of and behind the camera. Beyond Daayra, one of the big projects associated with his upcoming line-up is the next Salaar film, Salaar: Part 2: Shouryanga Parvam.
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