Prithviraj Sukumaran: Prithviraj Sukumaran defends display of violence in ‘Animal’, ‘Salaar’; says we should have the liberty of making what we want to

Prithviraj Sukumaran, who has been receiving rave reviews for his performance in Prabhas starrer ‘Salaar’, recently came out in defense of the display of violence in ‘Salaar’ and the Ranbir Kapoor starrer ‘Animal’.
In an interview with News18, Prithviraj shared his viewpoint on the depiction of violent scenes in films like Animal and Salaar, along with the corresponding reactions on social media. Without having seen Animal yet, he refrained from offering specific comments. However, considering his role as a filmmaker, he believes that if filmmakers find it essential to incorporate graphic violence to effectively convey the story, they should be entitled to that creative freedom.

Prithviraj also further pointed out that directing filmmakers not to include bloodshed and graphic sequences in their films is unjust. He suggests that, ultimately, filmmakers submit their work to the Censor Board, which then certifies the film for specific audiences. Prithviraj believes that the creative process of making the film should be left to the filmmakers’ discretion.

Regarding content regulation and moral responsibility, the actor from Kaapa and Kuruthi believes that artists shouldn’t be burdened with moral responsibilities. He suggests that the audience is already informed about a film’s certification, indicating its content, and censorship should be implemented at the exhibition level to monitor who attends the theater. As an artist, he advocated for the freedom to create without restrictions, emphasizing that the focus should be on regulating who gets to view the material.

The ‘A’ certificate for Salaar, attributed to its visual violence, doesn’t concern Prithviraj. He drew a parallel with Game of Thrones, a series known for its brutal depictions of merciless killings. In making this comparison, Prithviraj indicates that, like Game of Thrones, Salaar’s content may be intense, but it doesn’t worry him regarding the audience’s ability to experience it in theaters.
Prithviraj emphasized that the violence in Salaar is integral to the plot, serving as a screenplay instrument to enhance the drama. He insists that without the violence, Salaar would lose a crucial aspect of its essence. Drawing a parallel with Game of Thrones, he underscored Salaar’s nature as a dramatic narrative where violence plays a significant role.
Prithviraj added that, beneath all the impressive action, violence, and elaborate production elements, Salaar fundamentally revolves around relationships. He described it as a finely crafted drama with intricate character dynamics, drawing parallels to the narrative style seen in Game of Thrones.