The final trailer of Vilayath Buddha was launched on Friday at Lulu Mall, Kochi. At the event, which saw the attendance of lead star Prithviraj Sukumaran and the principal crew members, the actor addressed the Pushpa comparisons, clarifying doubts some raised about the Malayalam film, which revolves around a sandalwood smuggler.

Based on GR Indugopan’s novel of the same name, Vilayath Buddha was jointly scripted by the author and Rajesh Pinnadan. The film was initially meant to be directed by filmmaker Sachy (Ayyappanum Koshiyum); however, his untimely demise led to the project being taken over instead by his associate Jayan Nambiar.

“When Sachy first conceived this idea and brought it to me, Pushpa – Part 1 hadn’t even come out. Back then, we didn’t know that another movie about a sandalwood smuggler was in the works, and, after release, it would go on to make a nationwide phenomenon,” he said at the event. “Unfortunately, when Vilayath Buddha was nearing completion, both Pushpa 1 and 2 had come out, and the character had become such a rage by then. So we are acknowledging that (the allusion in the trailer).”

Prithviraj expects anyone who hasn’t yet read Vilayath Buddha to naturally make comparisons to the Allu Arjun-starrer. “We are totally aware of that. The dialogue in question was meant to be only for the promo and may not end up in the final film. The character (of Double Mohanan) bears no resemblance to Pushpa,” he assured.

Vilayath Buddha began filming in 2022, and was shot over multiple schedules in the last three years owing to the actor’s other commitments — his directorial L2: Impurity and an unforeseen injury while filming an action sequence for the former. The release has been officially confirmed for November 21, 2025.

At the event, Prithviraj also addressed the criticisms against some of his recent work and expressed no qualms about accepting brickbats since it’s “Malayali audiences that brought him up” and that they have “every right” to do that. Acknowledging his limitations, Prithviraj said he can promise only one thing — giving his 100% and that there has never been a time when he gave less than that.