In 2018, the Malayalam film Lucifer was produced with a reported budget of Rs 30 crore, making it the largest film of its time in terms of financial investment and scale. The screenplay was crafted by Murali Gopi, known for his critically acclaimed works, while the film was directed by Prithviraj Sukumaran, an accomplished actor venturing into directing for the first time. This collaboration, particularly with Mohanlal in the lead role, raised eyebrows, prompting producer Anthony Perumbavoor to receive numerous inquiries from concerned individuals questioning his confidence in Prithviraj's ability to deliver a commercially successful film.

Prithviraj: Anthony Perumbavoor and Mohanlal never had an iota of doubt

During the promotional activities for L2 Empuraan, the sequel to the Lucifer trilogy set to release on March 27, 2025, Prithviraj shared insights with Galatta Plus regarding the industry discussions at that time. He noted, “There were speculations that perhaps Prithviraj, as a filmmaker, had a certain mindset. However, that alone does not justify entrusting someone with a Rs 30 crore project. The unwavering faith demonstrated by Anthony Perumbavoor and Mohanlal served as motivation for me,” he remarked, emphasizing that throughout the production of Lucifer, neither Anthony nor Mohanlal ever expressed any doubt regarding his directorial abilities.

Prithviraj further mentioned that he received everything he requested for the film without hesitation. He recounted a specific instance concerning the film's conclusion, which he envisioned being filmed at a private charter flight terminal, for which he had secured the necessary permissions. Unfortunately, the Dubai Film Commission rejected the script due to its association with the narcotics mafia, leaving Prithviraj in urgent need of an alternative solution as the release date for Lucifer had already been set.

A friend recommended St. Petersburg, prompting Prithviraj to travel there almost immediately to obtain the necessary permissions. He informed Anthony and Mohanlal to be prepared to board the next available flight to Russia, should he manage to finalize arrangements within 48 hours. Before his departure, Anthony provided Prithviraj with a credit card for any expenses he might incur during his trip. Fortunately, Prithviraj successfully identified the shooting location and secured the required permissions, allowing the team to travel. "The trust they placed in me is invaluable for a filmmaker. I will always be grateful for that, and it reflects the same confidence they had in me for L2 Empuraan. I hope to meet their expectations," Prithviraj remarked.

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