Archive · 15 Sep 2026
Prithviraj contrasts Malayalam cinema’s informality with Bollywood’s process
Prithviraj Sukumaran compared Malayalam movies with Bollywood movies.
He said Malayalam filmmakers often work in a more direct and informal way.
For example, a director may call an actor directly about joining a film.
He said Bollywood usually involves agencies, managers and several negotiations before people agree to work together.
Prithviraj said Malayalam cinema is not limited to small, inexpensive films anymore.
Some Malayalam productions now take more than 150 days to shoot and have budgets of ₹100 crore.
Even with bigger films, he believes the industry keeps a human and grounded style.
He said Bollywood could learn from this simpler way of working.
He shared these views at an Expresso event in Mumbai.
Prithviraj Sukumaran said Malayalam cinema’s informal, direct working culture is one of its key strengths.
He said Malayalam films now include productions shot over 150 days with budgets of ₹100 crore.
Prithviraj argued that larger budgets have not removed the humane quality of Malayalam filmmaking.
He contrasted direct actor-director contact in Malayalam cinema with Bollywood’s agencies, managers and fee negotiations.
The comments came during the 16th Expresso session in Mumbai with Kareena Kapoor and Meghna Gulzar.
- Who
- Actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran, with Kareena Kapoor and Meghna Gulzar, discussed the comparison.
- What
- Prithviraj contrasted Malayalam cinema’s informal working culture with Bollywood’s more layered corporate process.
- When
- The remarks were made at the 16th edition of Expresso; the session is scheduled to premiere on September 16 at 4 pm.
- Where
- The event was held at Taj Lands End in Mumbai.
- Why
- Prithviraj was responding to a question about what Bollywood could learn from Malayalam cinema.
Malayalam Cinema’s Direct Approach
Bollywood’s Corporate Process
Industry structure
Malayalam Cinema’s Direct Approach
Prithviraj said Malayalam cinema works informally, with a lighter process and more direct communication.
Bollywood’s Corporate Process
He described Bollywood as having a layered system involving agencies, managers, production houses and negotiations.
Production scale
Malayalam Cinema’s Direct Approach
Prithviraj said Malayalam cinema can now make films with 150-day shoots and ₹100-crore budgets while retaining a humane quality.
Bollywood’s Corporate Process
The comparison focused on Bollywood’s process rather than disputing its ability to make large-scale films.
Casting and negotiations
Malayalam Cinema’s Direct Approach
A Malayalam director might directly call an actor, narrate the script and discuss availability.
Bollywood’s Corporate Process
In the Bollywood example, the agency and manager facilitate contact, followed by negotiations over the actor’s fee.
- Speaker
- Prithviraj Sukumaran
- Event
- 16th edition of Expresso
- Location
- Taj Lands End, Mumbai
- Malayalam film scale
- Some films are shot over 150 days with ₹100-crore budgets
- Working-style contrast
- Prithviraj described Malayalam cinema as informal and Bollywood as more corporate
- Bollywood casting example
- He cited agencies, managers, production houses and fee negotiations
- Premiere
- The session will premiere on September 16 at 4 pm on The Indian Express and SCREEN’s YouTube channels