Prithviraj Sukumaran's cool take on missing out on a National Award for Aadujeevitham is all heart

Prithviraj Sukumaran whose work in Aadujeevitham left critics and audiences in awe has broken his silence on missing out on the National Award for Best Actor. Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail and Shah Rukh Khan for Jawan are the winners. Once the awards were announced, many called out the snub to Prithviraj. They said it was almost criminal that jury did not find him befitting of the highest honour. However, Prithviraj Sukumaran seems to be least bothered. He said that he does not aim for awards when making movies. Prithviraj said no award has ever been a goal for him.

Aadujeevitham was about a Malayali immigrant who arrives in Saudi Arabia in hope of better prospects to earn money. He ends up as a goat herd in the desert. When he makes up his mind to flee the country, he has to undertake a journey that is full of perils due to lack of resources, harsh climate and strict laws. In a conversation with MiD – Day, Prithviraj Sukumaran said that he is content with the success of Aadujeevitham, and no award is like a goalpost in his mind.

“I wanted the film to work. I wanted people to like my performance, and most importantly, I wanted the world to know that man’s story. All three happened. There’s nothing else that I want from the film. If I get a National Award, great; if I don’t, congratulations to whoever gets it.”

- Prithviraj Sukumaran to Mid Day

It seems the movie was considered even though it missed the eligibility period. It seems the jury headed by Ashutosh Gowarikar found it ‘inauthentic’ and with flaws in execution. Now, filmmaker Blessy has said that Ashutosh Gowarikar has praised the movie earlier. In fact, he said he compared it to Lawrence Of Arabia. Blessy said his comment felt like a compliment in itself.