Prithviraj Sukumaran has dismissed speculation that his upcoming film Vilaayath Budha draws inspiration from Allu Arjun’s Pushpa franchise, saying.
The two projects share no creative connection despite surface-level similarities. Speaking at the film’s trailer launch at Lulu Mall in Kochi, the actor said comparisons arose simply because both films feature sandalwood smugglers.
Prithviraj stressed that Vilaayath Budha remains faithful to its source material — G.R. Indugopan’s novel of the same name — and that the screenplay was crafted by the author along with Rajesh Pinnadan. The project was initially developed by filmmaker Sachy, best known for Ayyappanum Koshiyum, before his passing in 2020. His associate Jayan Nambiar later stepped in to direct the film.
The actor recalled that the idea for Vilaayath Budha was conceived well before Pushpa was even announced. “When Sachy first brought this idea to me, Pushpa hadn’t come out. We had no clue another story about a sandalwood smuggler was being made, or that it would become a global sensation. Unfortunately, when our film was nearing completion, both Pushpa films had released and the character became iconic. We acknowledged that in the teaser,” he said.
Prithviraj noted that viewers unfamiliar with the novel may see parallels between the protagonists, but insisted that the similarities end with the shared theme. He also clarified that the Pushpa-referencing line in the teaser may not feature in the final cut, adding, “The character of Double Mohanan bears no resemblance to Pushpa.”
Vilaayath Budha, an action thriller marking Jayan Nambiar’s directorial debut, is produced by Sandip Senan under Urvasi Theatres in collaboration with Anish M. Thomas. The film stars Prithviraj Sukumaran and Shammi Thilakan, with Priyamvada Krishnan, Anu Mohan, Rajashree, and Teejay Arunasalam in supporting roles. The story revolves around Bhaskaran Master and his disciple Double Mohanan, a smuggler, who find themselves in conflict over a sandalwood tree planted by the former.
The screenplay was first developed by Sachy in 2020. After his death in June that year, the project was revived and officially announced in February 2021. The film was shot largely in Marayur between October 2022 and March 2025. The technical crew includes composer Jakes Bejoy, cinematographer Arvind S. Kashyap, and editor Sreejith Sarang.
Vilaayath Budha is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025.
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