'L2: Empuraan’s Prithviraj on casting Karthikeya in the film, “I told Prashanth that I’m taking him along’

Prithviraj Sukumaran and Mohanlal’s ‘L2: Empuraan’ is surely the most awaited film this year in Malayalam.
Recently Prithviraj explained how the ‘Salaar’ actor Karthikeya was selected for the movie.

See more: 'L2 Empuraan' Movie Review & Release Live update
Who is Karthikeya?
Karthikeya, the child artist who gained attention for his role in Prashanth Neel's Salaar, had a memorable performance as the younger version of Prithviraj’s character, Varadaraja Mannar. Following this, reports surfaced that Karthikeya was also cast as the younger version of Prithviraj’s character in ‘L2: Empuraan.’
Prashanth Neel’s video
Now, during a press conference, Prithviraj himself has explained how Karthikeya was selected for the film. According to Prithviraj, it was Prashanth Neel who sent him a video of Karthikeya, and upon watching it, he immediately decided to cast him in Empuraan. He also added that he would be disappointed if Karthikeya did not become a big star in Telugu cinema. Hearing these words, Karthikeya was visibly emotional.
“I’m taking him along.” - Prithviraj

See more: L2: Empuraan Movie Review
Prithviraj shared this during a press meet in Hyderabad. Recalling the moment, he said, "One night at 1 AM, I messaged Prashanth Neel to check if he was awake. When he replied saying he wasn’t sleeping, I asked him to send me a shot to watch. It was a video recorded from the monitor using his phone. The scene was from Salaar, where the younger Varadaraja Mannar (played by Karthikeya) hands over his kingdom. The moment I saw it, I called Prashanth and said, ‘Whatever you’re planning to do with him, do it quickly, because I’m taking him along.’ That’s how Karthikeya was cast in Empuraan. He is an exceptional actor, and if he doesn’t become a big star here, I would be disappointed."
‘L2: Empuraan’ is set to release on March 27. The film will have a pan-Indian release in Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, and Kannada.
See more: ‘L2: Empuraan’ Twitter review