Here’s a bold claim: Vilaayath Budha has absolutely nothing to do with Pushpa—despite what the teaser might suggest. But here’s where it gets controversial... At the trailer launch in Kochi, Prithviraj Sukumaran addressed the swirling rumors that his upcoming film was inspired by Allu Arjun’s blockbuster. While both films feature sandalwood smugglers, Prithviraj was quick to clarify that the similarities end there. And this is the part most people miss: Vilaayath Budha is actually based on GR Indugopan’s novel of the same name, not a rip-off of Pushpa. The script, co-written by Indugopan and Rajesh Pinnadan, was conceived long before Pushpa became a global sensation. In fact, the project was initially helmed by the late Sachy, known for Ayyappanum Koshiyum, before his associate Jayan Nambiar took over after Sachy’s untimely death in 2020. Prithviraj even admitted that the Pushpa reference in the teaser was a nod to the coincidence, but he emphasized, ‘The character of Double Mohanan bears no resemblance to Pushpa.’ Here’s the kicker: The Pushpa dialogue might not even make it into the final cut. So, is it fair to compare the two? Or are we jumping to conclusions? Let’s dive deeper. Filming for Vilaayath Budha began in 2022, with multiple schedules interrupted by Prithviraj’s directorial debut, L2 Empuraan, starring Mohanlal. Set to hit theaters on November 21, the film marks Prithviraj’s return after Sarzameen, with upcoming projects like Varanasi and Daayra already creating buzz. But here’s the real question: Can two films about sandalwood smugglers coexist without one being a copycat? Or is there room for only one icon in this niche? Share your thoughts below—let’s spark a debate!
