Archive · 16 Sep 2026
Prithviraj Sukumaran Explains His Salary Choices and Malayalam Cinema
Prithviraj Sukumaran said he often does not take a regular acting salary.
Instead, he invests in films he produces and shares in them.
He believes Malayalam cinema works well because writers have strong influence.
Writers can speak directly with actors about their stories.
He said this makes filmmaking feel more personal and less formal.
He compared it with a system where agencies and managers negotiate actors’ fees.
He said that system works, but feels there may be an easier way.
Prithviraj will next appear with Kareena Kapoor Khan in Daayra, directed by Meghna Gulzar.
Prithviraj Sukumaran said he often skips a salary because he produces many of his films and takes a stake instead.
He described Malayalam cinema’s “secret ingredient” as writers retaining significant creative power.
He said Malayalam filmmakers commonly approach actors directly and discuss projects informally.
He contrasted that process with Hindi film negotiations involving agencies, managers, production houses and actor fees.
Sukumaran will appear with Kareena Kapoor Khan in Meghna Gulzar’s investigative thriller Daayra, releasing September 18.
- Who
- Actor and producer Prithviraj Sukumaran, along with Kareena Kapoor Khan and director Meghna Gulzar for Daayra.
- What
- Sukumaran discussed why he often forgoes a salary, the role of writers in Malayalam cinema, and the film’s release.
- When
- Daayra is scheduled to release on September 18; Sukumaran made the comments ahead of its release.
- Where
- The discussion concerns Malayalam cinema, while Daayra is scheduled for theatrical release.
- Why
- Sukumaran was explaining his working arrangements and contrasting Malayalam cinema’s informal writer-led process with more corporate actor negotiations.
Writer-led, informal filmmaking
Agency-led, corporate negotiations
Who drives the process
Writer-led, informal filmmaking
Sukumaran praised Malayalam cinema because writers often hold power and can approach actors directly with scripts.
Agency-led, corporate negotiations
He said another system involves agencies, managers, production houses and actors coordinating through formal channels.
How actors are approached
Writer-led, informal filmmaking
He described filmmakers meeting actors directly, sometimes over coffee, to discuss a project and decide whether to participate.
Agency-led, corporate negotiations
He said agencies may first speak with managers, who then arrange meetings between actors and filmmakers.
Fee discussions
Writer-led, informal filmmaking
Sukumaran’s model often involves taking a stake rather than a salary when he produces a film.
Agency-led, corporate negotiations
He said agencies quote a fee, production houses may offer half, and negotiations then begin, calling the process corporate but workable.
- Actor
- Prithviraj Sukumaran
- Upcoming film
- Daayra
- Director
- Meghna Gulzar
- Co-star
- Kareena Kapoor Khan
- Release date
- September 18
- Film genre
- Investigative thriller
- Sukumaran’s compensation model
- He often takes a stake instead of a salary in films he produces