- By Ridhi Suri
- Sat, 23 Mar 2024 04:01 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Prithviraj Sukumaran's upcoming movie, 'Aadujeevitham - The Goat Life,' helmed by Blessy, has been in the making for several years. Discussing the film at a press conference in Hyderabad, the actor revealed his unwavering dedication to the project. He mentioned that he turned down offers from Chiranjeevi twice, employing the same explanation, due to his strong commitment to above mentioned film.
The actor disclosed that Chiranjeevi approached him for the ambitious project, Sye Raa Narasimha Reddy, in 2019. Amid this, he told The Indian Express, "I was really flattered, the fact that he thought of me for a big role was like a certificate for me. But I apologised and told him I had just started shooting for this project (Aadujeevitham), for which I had been waiting for a decade. I had to grow a beard, lose weight. He was fine with it."
Next, when Chiranjeevi starred in the Telugu remake of Prithviraj's film 'Lucifer,' Prithviraj was once again approached to join the project. However, he said refused. Reflecting on the situation, the actor shared, "A few years later, I became a director with Lucifer, which was a hit in Kerala. Chiranjeevi sir brought the rights to that film. His team asked me again to consider directing Lucifer’s Telugu remake. Again I told him, I would have loved to sir, but there’s a big film I’m doing for which I have to grow a beard and lose weight. And he was like, hey, you said the same story last time. I had forgotten that I already used the same excuse. But I hope his team conveyed to him that it was true," said the actor.
About Aadujeevitham
It is an upcoming Malayalam survival drama film written, directed, and co-produced by Blessy. It is based on the 2008 best-selling Malayalam novel 'Aadujeevitham' by Benyamin, inspired by a true story. The film features Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead role of Najeeb, a Malayali immigrant laborer who is compelled into slavery as a goatherd on a remote farm in Saudi Arabia.
The project encountered numerous challenges since its inception in 2009. Blessy expressed his desire to adapt "Aadujeevitham" shortly after reading the novel in 2008. Prithviraj was cast in the lead role the same year. Also, he secured the rights to adapt the novel from Benyamin and commenced writing the screenplay. However, financial limitations hindered significant progress on the project. Blessy persevered for years to secure a producer, achieving a breakthrough in 2015, which propelled the project forward.
Jimmy Jean-Louis and Steven Adams joined as producers, alongside Blessy himself. A. R. Rahman composed the original score and songs.
