'Aiyyaa' is riding on Rani's shoulder: Prithviraj

He is a superstar down South with 80 films to his credit. But actor Prithviraj Sukumaran, who is making his debut in Bollywood as the leading man in 'Aiyyaa',

has no qualms with the film being portrayed as his co-star Rani Mukherjee's project.

"Its a Bollywood film and I am a completely a new entity and I love that. The film is riding on Rani's shoulder I am happy with it. I love the fact that people will go and watch it as a Rani Mukherjee film and discover me. At the end of the day its a love story between two people and they are Rani and me," Prithviraj told PTI.

Produced by Anurag Kashyap 'Aiyyaa' stars Rani Mukherjee and Prithviraj in lead roles in the film. Rani plays the role of a Marathi girl who falls in love with a Malayalam boy, played by the South actor.

Prithviraj has acted in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu films and his notable performances include 'Vaasthavam', 'Indian Rupee', 'Classmates', Mani Ratnam's Tamil version of 'Raavanan', 'Urumi' and others.

"I need to get real and I understand the fact that I am a beginner in Bollywood, the 80 films that I have done down South and who I am and what I have achieved there has nothing to do with what I am going to do in Bollywood," he said.

Rani has delivered several hit films like 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' , 'Black' , 'Hum Tum' and 'Veer Zaara' among others. She was last seen in political crime thriller No one killed Jessica that released early last year and earned critical acclaim.

"Right now, the film will obviously be Rani's responsibility because the minute someone as big as her walked into the film it became a Rani Mukherjee project. I think it is a great to make a debut in a way.. its a vehicle in which you are travelling," he said.

"The fact that Rani said yes to the film meant that it (film) got bigger, the film got bigger canvas to portray. At the end of the day I need to realise that all the buzz that is happening around 'Aiyyaa' right now is because of the fact

that Rani is in it," he said.

Considering the fact that the only big name that 'Aiyyaa' boasts of is of Rani and its the actress who is seen on the forefront be it on posters or at events.

"When a big star like Rani Mukherjee is involved obviously the whole film at least in its marketing stage will piggy bag on her. Apart from Anurag Kashyap any big name that is associated with 'Aiyyaa' is not me or Sachin Kundlarkar or

anyone else it is Rani Mukherjee and if I was left with the marketing of the film, I would have still marketed it with Rani," he said.

Directed by debutant Sachin Kundalkar, 'Aiyyaa' is story about a woman who finds a man desirable because he smells good. "I said yes to the film after reading the entire script. And from the script to the print the film has grown up so much, the characters have grown up so much that I am more than happy," Prithviraj said.

Even before he started working on 'Aiyyaa', Prithviraj has been a huge fan of Rani. "I have seen almost her all films, I am a big fan of Rani and I always was. And I don't say that now because of 'Aiyyaa', even if you see my old interviews given to South Indian media you will see this statement. But now that I have done 'Aiyyaa', I am a bigger fan of Rani," he said.

Prithviraj can't stop heaping praises at his 'Aiyyaa' co-star Rani Mukherjee.

"She is fantastic. She is so inclusive as an actor, she used to go out of her way to make sure not just me but every actor on the sets is comfortable in their own space. She used to call the entire team to her house, discuss scenes and how

we will approach towards scenes," he said. "She used to say stay back on the sets even when she was not shooting, just to guide me. She was very involved and open to suggestions. She is great to work with," he added.