Actor Prithviraj Sukumaran has directed only three films to date, with his latest, L2: Empuraan, set to be released in theaters worldwide on March 27, 2025. Despite his limited experience, he has established a distinct approach to filmmaking. He does not support the use of look books or reference logs, prohibits his cinematographers from utilizing LUTs (look-up tables for color grading), and also refrains from creating storyboards.

Prithviraj Sukumaran on the importance of following the written text

Prithviraj describes himself as a diligent filmmaker rather than anything else. "When I arrive on set, I have a precise number of shots in mind. This is not derived from a storyboard but is instead rooted in the script. By closely adhering to the written material, one can discern how to approach the filming; it simply requires a deeper understanding of the text," he stated in an interview with Galatta Plus.

He further explained that when he receives a script from actor-writer Murali Gopy, he dedicates approximately six months to crafting his own interpretation, which he refers to as the shoot script. During this phase, the actor-director makes alterations to the structure of scenes or the scenes themselves. Once this process is complete, he presents his version to Murali, which often sparks disagreements, discussions, and debates until they arrive at a consensus. Only after reaching this agreement does he inform the actor or producer, depending on the situation, that the script is finalized.

Prithviraj emphasized that dedicating time to the script allows him to gain a profound understanding of it, which subsequently enables him to create a clear shot division. The initial cut of Empuraan, following the shoot, was 3 hours and 1 minute, while the final version is just one minute shorter. In comparison, Lucifer's first cut was 3 hours and 2 minutes, which was ultimately reduced to 2 hours and 57 minutes. "That’s all I shot," he remarked.

Regarding his motivation for creating a film like Lucifer, Prithviraj stated that his primary goal was for it to succeed in theaters, recognizing that achieving this is one of the most challenging aspects of filmmaking. "It was a challenge I wanted to embrace, and fortunately, it turned out well. The film's success, reportedly generating around Rs 200 crore in both theatrical and non-theatrical revenue, can be attributed to its nature as 'an honest film.'"

The actor-director noted that he initially viewed Lucifer as a singular endeavor in his directing career, intending to 'get it out of his system' before returning to acting. "However, I found it so enjoyable that I couldn't help but laugh," he added.

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