A warm break from on-screen rivalry
While Neil Nitin Mukesh and Prithviraj Sukumaran play rivals in the Malayalam action thriller 'Khalifa,' the two actors appear to share a warm off-screen equation. During the ongoing Onam celebrations, Neil gave fans a glimpse of that bond by sharing moments from an Onam Sandhya he enjoyed with the film's team during promotions.
The video, posted on Instagram, features Prithviraj along with co-stars Kyraa Vasudevan and Malavika Sharma. In the clip, the actors can be seen enjoying food, sharing smiles, hugs, and light moments together.
Neil added a playful touch to the post by referring to his and Prithviraj's on-screen characters. His caption read, "Amir and Harris in a parallel world. Some punches, pains and bruises on set are worth every bit when the final result is smiles, hugs and memories that make it all worthwhile. Ps: the food during this interview was simply outstanding.. Burp !!"
Gratitude for the 'Khalifa' journey
This is not the first time Neil has publicly acknowledged his experience on the film. In a separate Instagram post, he expressed gratitude to the 'Khalifa' team and specifically thanked Prithviraj for his constant support on set. Calling Prithviraj "a brother, a constant support system on set and a guiding force," Neil wrote, "Taking on a character as challenging as Harris, in an even tougher language for me, Malayalam, would not have been the same without your guidance and encouragement."
Neil described Prithviraj as a "powerhouse of inspiration" and shared how much the film and the people he worked with meant to him. "Grateful to God for the experience. Grateful for the people on set. Grateful to have been Harris Basheer. With each film my love for cinema keeps growing. The film is now all yours. Give it love," he added.
About the film
In 'Khalifa: The Ruler,' Prithviraj plays Mambarakkal Amir Ali, a textile businessman who becomes involved in international gold smuggling, while Neil plays Harris Basheer, the main rival. The film is directed by Vysakh and also stars Kyraa Vasudevan and Malavika Sharma. 'Khalifa' was released worldwide in theatres on August 20.