Prithviraj Sukumaran admits box office pressure in Malayalam cinema

Filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran, who recently directed the Mohanlal starrer 'L2: Empuraan,' opened up about the pressure of box office performance in Malayalam cinema.

During an interview with India Today, Prithviraj made it clear that box office success is crucial for Malayalam films as well. He mentioned the pressure to deliver financially viable projects, stating that the audience has made it clear that poor-quality films will not perform well at the box office. However, he also said that the audience turns up to watch the film in theaters where good storytelling and quality filmmaking are done.

He also said that in recent years, the industry has enjoyed a successful run where well-made films have achieved impressive numbers, regardless of the star power behind them.

He said, "In recent years, we’ve had an illustrious run where good films bring in numbers, regardless of who’s acting or directing them. As filmmakers, actors, and storytellers, we have confidence that if we pick a story we feel needs to be told, stay true to it, and treat it with respect, audiences will respond positively. Thanks to them, we know that if we stick to what we do best, they will come and watch our films.".

'L2: Empuraan' is the sequel to Prithviraj's 2019 blockbuster 'Lucifer,' starring Mohanlal. The film is part of a planned trilogy, and its release is set for March 27, 2025.

According to an Onmanorama report, in recent years, Malayalam cinema has seen a remarkable increase in box office share, doubling from 5% in 2023 to 10% in 2024. Despite this growth, the industry faced substantial losses due to overproduction and market saturation, with estimates suggesting losses of around Rs 650 to Rs 700 crores last year.