Prithviraj Sukumaran has dismissed speculation that his upcoming film Vilaayath Budha draws inspiration from Allu Arjun’s Pushpa franchise, despite surface-level similarities between the protagonists.
Addressing media questions at the trailer launch in Kochi, the actor clarified that the film has no creative link to the blockbuster series.
Speaking at the event held at Lulu Mall, Prithviraj explained that Vilaayath Budha stays true to its source material, GR Indugopan’s novel of the same name. The screenplay, he noted, was developed by the author along with Rajesh Pinnadan. The project was originally helmed by Sachy, known for Ayyappanum Koshiyum, before his passing in 2020. Following his death, his associate Jayan Nambiar stepped in to direct the film.
Prithviraj recalled how the idea was conceived long before Pushpa entered the picture. “When Sachy first conceived this idea and brought it to me, Pushpa hadn’t even come out. Back then, we didn’t know that another movie about a sandalwood smuggler was in the works. Or that after release, it would become a worldwide phenomenon. Unfortunately, when Vilaayath Budha was nearing completion, both Pushpa films were released, and the character became a sensation. We acknowledged that (in the teaser),” he said.
He acknowledged that viewers unfamiliar with the book may find similarities, especially because both films feature sandalwood smugglers. However, he emphasised that the overlap ends there. The actor added that the Pushpa-inspired line included in the teaser may not appear in the final cut of the film, stating, “The character (of Double Mohanan) bears no resemblance to Pushpa.”
Vilaayath Budha is an upcoming Malayalam action thriller marking Jayan Nambiar’s debut as a director. The film is adapted from G.R. Indugopan’s novel of the same title and is backed by producer Sandip Senan under Urvasi Theatres, in collaboration with Anish M. Thomas. Prithviraj Sukumaran and Shammi Thilakan lead the cast, with Priyamvada Krishnan, Anu Mohan, Rajashree and Teejay Arunasalam appearing in supporting roles. The story centres on Bhaskaran Master and his disciple Double Mohanan, a smuggler, who find themselves at odds over a sandalwood tree planted by the former.
The screen version of the novel was first developed by Sachy in 2020. After his death in June that year, the project was taken forward by his associate Jayan Nambiar. The film was announced in February 2021, and major portions were shot in Marayur between October 2022 and March 2025. Jakes Bejoy has composed the music, while Arvind S. Kashyap handled cinematography and Sreejith Sarang served as the editor.
Vilaayath Budha is scheduled to hit theatres on November 21, 2025.
