Malayalam actor-filmmaker Prithviraj Sukumaran recently spoke in detail about his camaraderie with Fahadh Faasil during a special episode of Galatta India Fans Festival hosted by Nayandeep Rakshit. During the special event, a surprise video message was played out to Prithviraj which showed Fahadh send across his wishes for his latest film, Aadujeevitham (The Goat Life). The video featured Fahadh talking about Prithviraj taking his first screen test at his house for his father Fazil. "I don’t know if many people know this. The first time Prithvi ever did a screen test or an audition was in my house, for my father. I was fortunate enough to witness the birth of a star. And, I think that’s the bond I share with him; with you my brother. If there’s anyone who can be Najeeb, that’s you, my brother. I know the physical and mental trauma you went through. We met during the time. You made it look easy. You made it look like it is part of the job. I love you. It is because of you, it feels like my own. I am as excited as I would be for my film," Fahadh spoke in the clip.
Prithviraj, who turned emotional watching Fahadh's video, shared about how they have been friends for a long time as they are "nepo kids". He said, "I am the son of an actor, Dulquer is the son of an actor, and Shanu (Fahadh Faasil) is the son of one of the finest filmmakers. I mean he is not just that anymore. He is one of the finest actors the country has got." Prithviraj then opened up on his first screen test experience by Fahadh Faasil’s father, iconic Malayalam filmmaker Fazil. He said, "I screen-tested for what became his (Fahadh) debut film. Shanu's dad, Fazil Sir, had rented our house in Chennai for about 20 years. Once when we were traveling through Alleppey, my mom stopped the car and asked me to go collect the cheque from Fazil Sir. When I met him, he saw me after so many years, and he suddenly realized that I had grown up and was tall. So, he was like, 'I want to screen test you for a film.' So, I went to his house for the test. He had the camera set up and I had to act for a song."
Speaking further about his screen test, Prithviraj revealed that he performed alongside actress Asin, who was in the ninth grade at the time. He said, "Just because I needed a co-star for me to perform, he had invited another girl for the screen test and that was Asin. She was in her ninth grade. So, that’s when I first screen tested for a film in Fahadh’s house in Alleppey. And guess who I cast in my film when I became a director? Fazil Sir." Prithviraj also showered praise on both Fahad Faasil and Dulquer Salmaan stating that they possess a keen aesthetic sense for cinema. He said, "I won’t be surprised if these two guys become filmmakers someday. I am also now really looking forward to Fahadh’s next film Aavesham."
Watch Prithviraj Sukumaran talk about his first screen test in the video below:
