Prithviraj Sukumaran recently shared insights into his iconic role in “Mumbai Police” and why he turned down Karan Johar’s segment in “Bombay Talkies.”
The Groundbreaking Twist in “Mumbai Police”
The 2013 Malayalam cop thriller “Mumbai Police” left audiences stunned with its climax. Prithviraj Sukumaran’s character was revealed to be a closeted gay man struggling with his identity in a society often unwelcoming to queer individuals.
This radical twist was considered ahead of its time, earning the film widespread critical acclaim. Prithviraj was particularly praised for his portrayal of such a complex and unconventional character, breaking away from traditional macho stereotypes in the genre.
How Prithviraj Embraced the “Against the Grain” Role
During a recent interview, Prithviraj explained how he came to be part of “Mumbai Police.” He revealed that he, the director, and the writers were initially stuck on how to advance the screenplay.
The breakthrough came when director Roshan Andrews reminded Prithviraj of his commitment to cinema. Roshan called him late one night, saying they might have found a solution. When they met, the twist was revealed to Prithviraj, leaving him genuinely shocked.
He instantly knew that if he, as an actor, was surprised, the audience would react similarly, making the film a success. This instinct proved correct, leading to a memorable cinematic moment.
Portraying a Different Kind of Gay Character
Prithviraj acknowledged the significant risk involved in taking on the role, especially given the norms of cinema at the time. The unique aspect was not just that a mainstream lead was playing a gay man, but *how* the character was depicted.
His character was a macho, violent, alpha policeman, whose sexual orientation was simply one aspect of his complex identity. This contrasted sharply with how gay men were typically shown in mainstream films, making it “truly against the grain.” Prithviraj believed it would be a “path-breaking film,” and indeed, it was.
Turning Down Karan Johar’s “Bombay Talkies” Segment
In the same conversation, Prithviraj disclosed that he had an offer from Karan Johar for his segment in the 2013 anthology film “Bombay Talkies.” However, he ultimately declined the role.
There were two main reasons for his decision. Firstly, he had genuine scheduling conflicts and date issues. Secondly, and more importantly, he had just finished shooting “Mumbai Police” where he also played a gay character.
Prithviraj stated he didn’t want to play similar characters in back-to-back projects. Despite this, he admired the script and Randeep Hooda’s performance in the role. He expressed hope of working with Karan Johar as a director in the future.
- Prithviraj’s “Mumbai Police” role was groundbreaking for its portrayal of a macho, gay police officer.
- The actor was shocked by the film’s twist, which convinced him it would resonate with audiences.
- He rejected Karan Johar’s “Bombay Talkies” role partly due to playing a similar character recently.
Prithviraj is currently busy promoting his upcoming film “Sarzameen.” Meanwhile, a Bollywood remake of “Mumbai Police” titled “Deva,” starring Shahid Kapoor, was released earlier this year but struggled to replicate the original’s success.
