Exclusive | Prithviraj Sukumaran: 'SS Rajamouli Is The Best 'Actor' To Have Directed Me, Apart From Mr. Mohanlal'

In a conversation about working with directors who are also incredible actors, Prithviraj Sukumaran spoke to THR India about the top two actor-directors he has worked with so far.

"Except for a brief stint where I've had the privilege of being directed by Mr Mohanlal, SS Rajamouli is the finest actor who's directed me."

He was expanding on his collaboration with SS Rajamouli on the upcoming Telugu magnum opus, Varanasi.

Prithviraj starred in the Mohanlal directorial, Barroz, which he explained he was a part of for a brief period before he could no longer take part in the project. "I couldn't continue the role, and later on I was not part of the film, but I had about six or seven days in Barroz when I was being directed by Mr Mohanlal."

Prithviraj On Trusting Rajamouli's Brilliance

The actor observed that Rajamouli's ability as an actor shone through on the Varanasi set. Prithviraj said the director demonstrates a scene himself, but the purpose of that demonstration is not for the actor to copy it.

"He will show it to you to get a judgment of the pitch and the tonality he wants you at." This method of working requires the actor to calibrate, not replicate. "For me, sometimes it seems like, oh, that's way out there, or that's too much. But then I also know to trust him and do it; in the larger scheme of things, it sort of sits exactly where he wants it to."

Prithviraj also admitted that the inner conflict between following the director's instinct and his own as an actor often comes up on set. "Sometimes the actor in me is at war with what he (Rajamouli) wants me to do. But I also know that my job here is to deliver what he wants."

He added that the reasoning behind Rajamouli's direction often only becomes clear after the fact. "Later on, when you see the edit or the footage, you understand; it's very tough to never lose sight of the big picture when you're making something like Varanasi."

Prithviraj added that the scale of Varanasi requires actors to place considerable trust in the director. "I figured out that the best way for me there is to trust his judgment.”

But that still does not stop him from questioning the director. 

"What I do now is, I do it the way he's asked me to. Then I go and ask him, 'Sir, but shouldn't Kumbha be actually doing this?' He then sits me down and explains what his thought process is."

How Rajamouli Is An Actor's Director

The director values his actors’ feedback and works with them on their vision as well, the actor explained. "He asks, ‘But do you want to do it that way? We'll do one more.’" Prithviraj said this openness is what sets Rajamouli apart. "He lets the actor be such a big part of the whole process."

He also spoke about the amount of time Rajamouli spends with the actors on set. "His primary thing is getting that part right. He doesn't care about the time, but he will come and spend time with the actors. He will convince you to do what he has in his mind to get it out of you."

The actor added that the experience has had an impact on him beyond the film itself. "I'm so much richer as an actor, as a filmmaker, and as a human being for having worked with him."

Watch our full interview with the actor on The Hollywood Reporter India's YouTube channel later today