New Delhi: Prithviraj Sukumaran starrer 'Aadujeevitham+' (The Goat Life) has been garnering widespread acclaim and box office success since its release. The Blessy directorial has captivated audiences with its compelling narrative and outstanding performances. Adapted from Benyamin's acclaimed 2008 novel of the same name, the film delves into the harrowing experiences of Najeeb Muhammad, also known as Shukoor, who endured years of enslavement and hardship in the deserts of Saudi Arabia.
Prithviraj Sukumaran's portrayal of Najeeb has been hailed as one of his finest performances to date, drawing audiences into the character's tumultuous journey with remarkable authenticity. The actor, who had not met the real-life Najeeb till the film’s postproduction, engaged in a conversation with Najeeb following the film's success, and opened up about his approach to portraying the character. The video of their conversation has been dropped by the makers on YouTube.
Prithviraj on portraying Najeeb
Reflecting on the initial uncertainty surrounding his portrayal, Prithviraj revealed, “In 2008, when Blessy first told me about doing this movie, my initial thought was, how do I approach this character? Do I come down and talk to you about who you really are, or do I try to understand the character Najeeb that Benyamin wrote or the Najeeb that Blessy has in his mind? This was the confusion I had. Finally, Blessy and I decided that I should play the Najeeb I visualize in my mind based on the novel and the Najeeb that Blessy visualized. That’s the Najeeb you’ll see in the movie. There is a big difference.”
Najeeb on his ordeal
During their heartfelt exchange, Najeeb shared poignant insights into his gruelling ordeal as a goat herder in the desert, revealing the stark realities of his existence. His revelation that he often contemplated death as a means of escape, only to be consumed by thoughts of his family, left Prithviraj speechless.
“The sun used to rise and set… that’s all I knew. I always thought that I’ll never escape. There were no more gods left for me to pray to. I realized that it was better to die than continue living there. Many times, I lied down on the sand so that some creatures would bite me and I would die. But then, when I woke up, all I could think of was about my family. My wife was eight months pregnant when I landed there. Did she deliver a baby or not was the only thing I had in my mind,” Najeeb told Prithviraj.
Prithviraj expressed profound admiration for Najeeb's resilience, acknowledging him as a beacon of hope amidst adversity. Despite the overwhelming challenges he faced, Najeeb remained steadfast in his determination to survive and reunite with his loved ones.
“At times, I have felt that you are the person chosen by god, from among many people who have endured such difficulties, to share with the world your story. You are god’s chosen one,” the actor told Najeeb.
Also Read: Know The Real Life Story Of Najeeb - Played By Prithviraj Sukumaran In 'The Goat Life'