Actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran is currently shooting for his directorial venture, L2, in Ladakh. Connecting with us over a video call, he shares his excitement about his highly anticipated December release, Salaar: Part 1 - Ceasefire.

The film’s box-office clash with Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Dunki has created a lot of buzz, but Sukumaran is thrilled. “As a film lover, I love it that our movie is releasing with Hirani sir (Rajkumar Hirani, director) and Shah Rukh sir’s film. I am excited that during the holiday season, you have two giant films, by two giant filmmakers, starring two big stars... [releasing at the same time]. They are both diametrically opposite in every parameter, including the story and narrative,” the actor-filmmaker, who turned 41 yesterday, tells us exclusively.

He goes on, “I am going to watch both films. I don’t remember the last time two films of this stature were released together during the holiday season. What better year than 2023 to celebrate Indian cinema like this?”

Sukumaran, who met with an accident on set in June while shooting for the Malayalam film Vilayath Buddha, says he’s fully recovered and is looking forward to the promotions of Salaar. “But I am not sure about the plan for the promotions yet. The makers will let us know by November. I am in touch with Prashanth (Neel, director),” he shares.

Ask how he spent his “working birthday” and he shares, “I told my wife (producer Supriya Menon Prithviraj) that this year, the best gift I could give myself was to be on set. It’s after a while that I was working on my birthday.”