Prithviraj Sukumaran highlights writer-driven nature of Malayalam film industry

Actor and filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran has highlighted the unique characteristics of the Malayalam film industry, noting that its primary strength lies in the influence of writers and screenwriters.

Speaking at an event in Mumbai, Sukumaran explained that unlike other Indian film industries where stars or production houses hold dominance, the Malayalam industry is driven by the script. He described a process where writers approach actors directly with stories. If the actor is interested, they collaborate to select a director, who then works with them to secure production funding.

Sukumaran also contrasted the informal and sincere communication style of the Malayalam industry with the highly corporate structure of Bollywood. He noted that while Bollywood often requires navigating agencies and managers to reach actors, the Malayalam industry allows for easier, more direct interaction. Additionally, he dismissed the notion that Malayalam cinema is limited to low budgets, stating that the industry now produces high-budget films with extensive production timelines while maintaining its script-centric approach.