Prithviraj Sukumaran Opens Up About His Physically Demanding Role as Kumbha in SS Rajamouli's Epic 'Varanasi'
In a revealing interview, acclaimed actor Prithviraj Sukumaran has shared fascinating details about his portrayal of the paralyzed antagonist Kumbha in SS Rajamouli's highly anticipated cinematic spectacle, 'Varanasi'. The film, which stars Mahesh Babu and Priyanka Chopra Jonas in pivotal roles alongside Sukumaran, is generating immense excitement across Indian cinema circles.
The Unique Challenge of Playing a Wheelchair-Bound Villain
Speaking with Collider, Prithviraj Sukumaran described the extraordinary physical and emotional demands of playing Kumbha, a character confined entirely to a wheelchair. The actor revealed that this limitation forced him to develop an entirely new approach to performance, as he had no freedom of physical movement to convey the character's complex emotions.
"Playing the character of Kumbha was an incredibly demanding experience," Sukumaran explained. "Because the character is confined to a wheelchair, I had no freedom of physical movement to convey emotion. Instead, I had to channel everything—his fear, rage, and inner strength—entirely through my facial expressions and eyes."
Practical Effects Over CGI for Authentic Performance
The production team opted for practical methods rather than relying on CGI to simulate Kumbha's physical condition. Sukumaran's hands and legs were secured in place by a specialized mechanism to ensure authentic immobility during filming.
"To make sure that I don't involuntarily move my hands and legs, my hands and legs are kept, not tight, but sort of locked in place by a mechanism," the actor detailed. "This allowed me to be truly certain that whatever I do, I'm not going to be moving my hands or legs, which created unique challenges even with simple things like when a fly comes around my nose."
The Wheelchair as an Extension of Character
Sukumaran emphasized that Kumbha's wheelchair is far more than just a prop—it represents an essential extension of the character's personality and intellect. Despite his physical incapacitation, Kumbha possesses a "dangerous and wide" intellect that makes him a deeply intense and terrifying antagonist.
"The wheelchair, in a way, is an extension of his personality and how his mind works," Sukumaran elaborated. "He's a very dangerous man who's just physically incapacitated. His mind works in very, very unpredictable, dangerous ways. The wheelchair is set up in a way where it almost connects directly to his thoughts. It is very much an extension of who Kumbha is."
Prithviraj Sukumaran Praises SS Rajamouli's Classical Filmmaking Approach
Focus on Clean Storytelling Over Gimmicks
Beyond discussing his challenging role, Sukumaran shared valuable insights about collaborating with visionary director SS Rajamouli. He praised the filmmaker for his straightforward and honest approach to storytelling, noting that Rajamouli consistently avoids unnecessary melodrama or filler scenes.
"One thing I've noticed with Rajamouli Sir is that for all the grand visuals and the sheer scale and imagination that his films carry, I've realized that, as far as possible, he sticks to the most simple basics for his filmmaking," Sukumaran observed.
The Discipline of Classical Filmmaking
The actor highlighted Rajamouli's commitment to what he described as "classical filmmaking done right"—a disciplined approach that prioritizes fundamental storytelling over technical gimmicks.
"I've seldom seen him setting up a gimmick shot. In fact, never. I've never seen him attempt a gimmick with the camera or an unnecessarily complicated track movement," Sukumaran continued. "For him, it's about the basics. Now, when I say classical filmmaking done right, it might seem easy, but that's the tougher thing to do. There's no escape mechanism there."
Sukumaran explained that this approach requires tremendous discipline, as filmmakers cannot rely on technical tricks to compensate for challenging shots. "When you're sticking to that language of making a film, you really can't have an escape mechanism for a shot that you're not able to capture at a moment that you're not able to get. You will have to just keep at it until you get it, and that he does. He will go on until he gets what he wants."
Anticipation Builds for 'Varanasi' Release
SS Rajamouli's 'Varanasi', featuring this powerhouse ensemble cast, is currently slated for release on April 7, 2027. The film represents one of the most ambitious projects in contemporary Indian cinema, bringing together multiple industry heavyweights under the direction of the visionary filmmaker behind the 'Baahubali' franchise.
Prithviraj Sukumaran's revelations about his physically demanding role and his appreciation for Rajamouli's filmmaking philosophy have only heightened anticipation for what promises to be a groundbreaking cinematic experience that blends grand spectacle with classical storytelling principles.
