Here’s a bold statement: despite sharing a profession with Allu Arjun’s iconic character, Prithviraj Sukumaran’s Double Mohanan in Vilaayath Budha is not a rip-off of *Pushpa. But here’s where it gets controversial—while both characters are sandalwood smugglers, Prithviraj insists his film, based on GR Indugopan’s novel, was conceived long before *Pushpa became a global sensation. At the trailer launch in Kochi, Prithviraj addressed the elephant in the room, clarifying that the teaser’s Pushpa reference was a nod to the coincidence, not a sign of inspiration. And this is the part most people miss: the film was originally meant to be directed by the late Sachy, with Jayan Nambiar stepping in after his untimely death in 2020. Prithviraj admits that without knowing the novel’s backstory, it’s easy to assume Vilaayath Budha rode Pushpa’s coattails. But he’s quick to point out, ‘The character bears no resemblance to Pushpa,’ and even hints that the controversial dialogue might not make the final cut. Is this a clever acknowledgment of a cultural phenomenon, or a risky move that blurs originality? Scheduled for a November 21 release, Vilaayath Budha has already sparked debates. What do you think? Is it fair to compare the two, or should we judge it on its own merits? Let’s discuss in the comments!
