Pratap Pothen (13 August 1952 – 15 July 2022) was an Indian actor and filmmaker who acted in about 100 films[1] and directed 12 films. He appeared in Malayalam, Tamil and Telugu as well as Hindi films. He also worked as a scriptwriter and producer for films.
Pratap Pothen | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 13 August 1952 Trivandrum, Travancore Cochin, India |
| Died | 15 July 2022 (aged 69) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Alma mater | Madras Christian College |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1978–1995, 2005–2022 |
| Spouses | |
| Children | 1 |
Early life and career
editPratap was born in Trivandrum, Kerala on 13 August 1952.[2] His father was Pothan of the Kolathinkal house, a businessman who died in 1967, when Pratap was 15 years old.[2] Pratap had five siblings,[3] including an elder brother, Hari Pothan, who also worked as a film producer.[4]
Pratap was educated at the Lawrence School, Lovedale in Ooty.[3] Initially, he was interested in painting; however, once he joined college, he started acting in plays with the help of his friends, and gradually got more interested in acting than painting.[5] After his graduation from the Madras Christian College, Pratap worked as a copywriter in an ad agency in Mumbai. Later he also worked at Sistas ad agency and Hindustan Thomson.[5]
Personal life
editPratap married actress Radhika in 1985, but their marriage did not last long and they separated in 1986. In 1990, he married Amala Sathyanath, with whom he had a daughter, Keya.[2][6]
Film career
editPratap worked with The Madras Players.[5] After seeing Pratap's performance in Shaw's play Androcles and the Lion, Bharathan invited Pratap to appear in his Malayalam film Aaravam.[5]
Pratap later starred in three more films: Thakara, Lorry and Chamaram.[5]
He also acted in Tamil films such as Moodupani, Varumayin Niram Sivappu, Nenjathai Killathe, Panneer Pushpangal. His debut as a director was in Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai, which he received a national award for.[5] Prathap worked with Kamal Haasan in Vettri Vizhaa (1989).[5] The film is noteworthy for being the first Tamil movie to use a steadicam.[5]
Pratap created three more films in Malayalam Rithubhedam, Daisy, Oru Yathramozhi.[5] His only Telugu film is Chaitanya and his only role in Bollywood is in Guru.[5][7] His notable roles in Malayalam cinema include Once Upon A Time There Was A Kallan, Ayalum Njanum Thammil, 22 Female Kottayam, Idukki Gold, Ezra, Uyare, and Bangalore Days.[8][9]
He directed Tamil films including Jeeva, Vettri Vizhaa, Seevalaperi Pandi and Lucky Man.[5]
In 2006, Pratap Pothan announced that he would direct Madhavan in a script written by K. Rajeswar. Pre-production works proved to be difficult and the film went through several changes of title and lead actress, before it was announced that the film would be called Oru Naal Podhuma and would feature Rukmini Vijayakumar in the leading female role. The team had made plans to complete shooting for the film in Canada, though creative differences meant that the film was subsequently shelved.[10][11]
In the last few years, he was busy with his ad agency named "Green Apple" and focused on commercials for MRF Tyres and Nippo. He used to host Naalaya Iyakkunar on Kalaignar TV.[12]
The turn of the century saw him playing many gratifying roles in films like Priyasakhi, Aayirathil Oruvan and Ponmagal Vandhal. As a filmmaker, in Tamil, Telugu and Malayalam, he directed veterans like Sivaji Ganesan, Mohanlal, Kamal Haasan, Thilakan and Nagarjuna.[13]
Death
editPratap was found dead in his apartment in Kilpauk, Chennai on 15 July 2022.[2][14] He is believed to have died of natural causes.[14]
Awards and nominations
edit| Award | Year | Category | Film | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Film Awards | 1984 | Best Debut Film of a Director | Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai | Won | [15] |
| Kerala State Film Awards | 2014 | Special Jury Award for acting | Once upon a Time There was a Kallan | Won | [16] |
| Filmfare Awards South | 1979 | Best Actor (Malayalam) | Thakara | Won | [17] |
| Best Actor (Tamil) | Azhiyatha Kolangal | Nominated | |||
| 1980 | Best Actor (Malayalam) | Chamaram | Won | [18] | |
| Best Actor (Tamil) | Nenjathai Killathe | Nominated | |||
| 1987 | Best Director (Malayalam) | Rithubhedam | Won | [19] | |
| 2012 | Best Supporting Actor (Malayalam) | Ayalum Njanum Thammil | Nominated | [20] | |
| South Indian International Movie Awards | 2012 | Best Actor in a Negative Role (Malayalam) | 22 Female Kottayam | Won | |
| Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Malayalam) | Ayalum Njanum Thammil | Nominated | |||
| Asianet Film Awards | 2013 | Special Jury Mention for acting | Idukki Gold 3 Dots |
Won | |
| Vanitha Film Awards | 2012 | Best Supporting Actor | Ayalum Njanum Thammil | Won |
Filmography
editAs actor
edit| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | Aaravam | Kokkarakko | Malayalam | |
| 1979 | Thakara | Thakara | Malayalam | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam |
| Azhiyatha Kolangal | Indumathi's husband | Tamil | ||
| 1980 | Aarohanam | Raju | Malayalam | |
| Pavizha Mutthu | Santhosh | Malayalam | ||
| Chandra Bimbam | Gopi | Malayalam | ||
| Thaliritta Kinakkal | Malayalam | |||
| Ilamai Kolam | Ilangovan | Tamil | ||
| Lorry | Dasappan | Malayalam | ||
| Chamaram | Vinod | Malayalam | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam | |
| Oormakale Vida Tharu | Malayalam | |||
| Pappu | Pappu | Malayalam | ||
| Moodu Pani | Chandru | Tamil | ||
| Varumayin Niram Sivappu | Prathap | Tamil | ||
| Nenjathai Killathe | Prathap | Tamil | ||
| 1981 | Aakali Rajyam | Pratap | Telugu | |
| Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo | C. Kalyana Raman | Tamil | ||
| Madhu Malar | Tamil | |||
| Kudumbam Oru Kadambam | Kannan | Tamil | ||
| Panneer Pushpangal | Prem | Tamil | ||
| Sollathe Yarum Kettaal | Tamil | |||
| Nenjil Oru Mull | Prathap | Tamil | ||
| Vaa Intha Pakkam | Tamil | |||
| Thillu Mullu | Himself | Tamil | Cameo appearance | |
| Rani | Tamil | |||
| Panimalar | Tamil | |||
| Aparna | Malayalam | |||
| 1982 | Vaazhvey Maayam | Prathap | Tamil | |
| Amma | Tamil | |||
| Echchil Iravugal | Tamil | |||
| Oru Varisu Uruvagiradhu | Tamil | |||
| Sattam Sirikkiradhu | Raj | Tamil | ||
| Sindoora Sandhyakku Mounam | Anil-Raju | Malayalam | ||
| Idavela | Malayalam | |||
| Eera Vizhi Kaaviyangal | Tamil | |||
| Nandri, Meendum Varuga | Prathap | Tamil | ||
| Preeyasakhi Radha | Malayalam | |||
| Novemberinte Nashtam | Das | Malayalam | ||
| 1983 | America America | Baby | Malayalam | |
| Yudhakaandam | Tamil | |||
| Kaikeyi | Malayalam | |||
| 1984 | Kanchana Ganga | Mohan | Telugu | |
| Pudhumai Penn | Advocate David | Tamil | ||
| Justice Chakravarthy | Pratap | Telugu | ||
| Aksharangal | Malayalam | |||
| Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai | Ganapathi "Guppi" | Tamil | Also director | |
| 1985 | Sindhu Bhairavi | Sanjeevi | Tamil | |
| 1986 | Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare | Josekutty | Malayalam | |
| 1987 | Manaivi Ready | Doctor | Tamil | |
| Jallikattu | Tamil | Guest appearance | ||
| Nirabhedangal | Jayadevan | Malayalam | ||
| Pesum Padam | Tamil | |||
| 1988 | En Jeevan Paduthu | Dr. Vijay | Tamil | |
| Pushpaka Vimana | Silent | Silent film | ||
| Penmani Aval Kanmani | Parandhaman | Tamil | ||
| Raththa Dhanam | Tamil | |||
| Jeeva | Magician in song "Abracadabra" | Tamil | Cameo appearance | |
| Ithuthan Arambam | Tamil | |||
| 1990 | Sirayil Sila Raagangal | Pratap | Tamil | |
| 1992 | Amaran | Raja Varma | Tamil | |
| 1997 | Thedinen Vanthathu | Vicky | Tamil | |
| 2005 | Priyasakhi | Priya's father | Tamil | |
| Raam | Psychiatrist | Tamil | ||
| Thanmathra | Doctor | Malayalam | ||
| 2006 | Chukkallo Chandrudu | Prakash | Telugu | |
| 2007 | Guru | K. R. Menon I.A.S. | Hindi | |
| 2008 | Velli Thirai | Himself | Tamil | Cameo appearance |
| 2009 | Calendar | Cleetus | Malayalam | |
| Padikathavan | Ramakrishnan | Tamil | ||
| Sarvam | Psychiatrist | Tamil | Cameo appearance | |
| 2010 | Aayirathil Oruvan | Chandramouli | Tamil | |
| Veerasekaran | Tamil | |||
| Maro Charitra | Balu's father | Telugu | ||
| Pulliman | Malayalam | |||
| 2011 | Muran | Tamil | Cameo appearance | |
| 2012 | 22 Female Kottayam | Hegde | Malayalam | SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role |
| Ayalum Njanum Thammil | Dr.Samuel | Malayalam | ||
| Suzhal | Matthews | Tamil | ||
| 2013 | Alex Pandian | Radhakrishnan | Tamil | |
| 3 Dots | Padmakumar/Pappettan | Malayalam | ||
| Aaru Sundarimaarude Katha | Alex Paul | Malayalam | ||
| Up & Down - Mukalil Oralundu | Edathil Govindan Nair | Malayalam | ||
| Arikil Oraal | Sudhir Bose | Malayalam | ||
| Idukki Gold | Micheal | Malayalam | ||
| 2014 | London Bridge | C S Nambiar | Malayalam | |
| Bangalore Days | Francis | Malayalam | ||
| Alice: A True Story | Dr. Sivapanchanathan | Malayalam | ||
| Munnariyippu | KK | Malayalam | ||
| Poojai | Divya's Father | Tamil | ||
| Vegam | Benny | Malayalam | ||
| Once Upon A Time There Was A Kallan | Malayalam | |||
| 2015 | Mariyam Mukku | Father Gabriel | Malayalam | |
| Yevade Subramanyam | Butterfly Park Worker | Telugu | ||
| Appavum Veenjum | Fernandez | Malayalam | ||
| Kanal | Raghu | Malayalam | ||
| 2016 | Remo | Dr. Ravichandran | Tamil | |
| 2017 | Ezra | Col.Nambiar | Malayalam | |
| Sathura Adi 3500 | Fahad | Tamil | ||
| Veedevadu | Dr. Xavier D'Souza | Telugu | ||
| Yaar Ivan | Tamil | |||
| 2019 | Uyare | Senior Air Traffic Controller | Malayalam | |
| Kolaiyuthir Kaalam | Tamil | |||
| 2020 | Pachamanga | Malayalam | ||
| Forensic | Dr. Jayakumar Menon | Malayalam | ||
| Ponmagal Vandhal | Judge | Tamil | ||
| 2021 | Kamali From Nadukkaveri | Arivudainambi | Tamil | |
| Tughlaq Durbar | Doctor | Tamil | Cameo appearance | |
| 2022 | CBI 5: The Brain | Dr. George Abraham | Malayalam | |
| Coffee with Kadhal | Ravi, Saravanan, Varshini and Kathir's father | Tamil | Posthumous release | |
| Yugi | Purushothaman | Tamil | Posthumous release | |
| Adrishyam | Purushothaman | Malayalam | Posthumous release | |
| 2023 | Grey: The Spy Who Loved Me | Sudarshan Reddy | Telugu | Posthumous release[21] |
| 2024 | Ippadiku Kadhal | Tamil | Posthumous release | |
| TBA | Barroz: Guardian of D'Gama's Treasure † | TBA | Malayalam | Posthumous release |
| TBA | Her † | TBA | Malayalam | [22] |
As director
edit| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1985 | Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai | Tamil | Also actor and writer Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director |
| 1987 | Rithubhedam | Malayalam | Filmfare Award for Best Director – Malayalam |
| 1988 | Daisy | Malayalam | Also writer |
| 1988 | Jeeva | Tamil | Also writer |
| 1989 | Vetri Vizha | Tamil | Also writer |
| 1990 | My Dear Marthandan | Tamil | Also writer |
| 1991 | Chaitanya | Telugu | Also writer |
| 1992 | Magudam | Tamil | Also writer |
| 1993 | Athma | Tamil | Also writer |
| 1994 | Seevalaperi Pandi | Tamil | |
| 1995 | Lucky Man | Tamil | Also writer |
| 1997 | Oru Yathramozhi | Malayalam |
As writer
edit- Solla Thudikuthu Manasu (1988) (Tamil)
Television
edit- Naalaya Iyakkunar (2019) (Kalaignar TV) (Tamil)
References
edit- ^ "Actor-director Pratap Pothen passes away". The Times of India. 15 July 2022. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ a b c d "Malayalam actor Pratap Pothen passes away". Onmanorama. 15 July 2022. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ a b "The affable eccentric Prathap Pothan". The New Indian Express. 1 May 2010. Archived from the original on 26 January 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "Vincent Master was a great man: Pratap Pothen". Times of India. 26 February 2015. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
Hari Pothen, my brother, started his career as a producer with him
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Pratap Pothen". FilmiBeat. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "My marriages were experiments which failed: Pratap Pothen on his divorces". onmanorama.com. 15 July 2022. Archived from the original on 25 July 2022. Retrieved 25 July 2022.
- ^ Gurjar, Gagan (15 July 2022). "'गुरु' में अभिषेक बच्चन के साथ दिखे प्रताप पोथेन का निधन, घर में मृत मिले 69 साल के दिग्गज एक्टर". Asianet News Hindi (in Hindi). Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "Actor and filmmaker Pratap Pothen found dead at flat in Chennai". Mathrubhumi. 15 July 2022. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ Kumar, P.K Ajith (15 July 2022). "Prathap Pothen | An actor who made his characters believable". The Hindu. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "Meaty role for Maddy". The Hindu. 16 March 2007. ISSN 0971-751X. Archived from the original on 5 June 2020. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Tamil Cinema News | Tamil Movie Reviews | Tamil Movie Trailers – IndiaGlitz Tamil". IndiaGlitz.com. Archived from the original on 13 August 2014. Retrieved 5 June 2020.
- ^ "Prathap Pothen in Green Apple malayalam movie by Haridas". nowboxoffice.com. 27 June 2013. Archived from the original on 25 May 2021. Retrieved 8 May 2022.
- ^ "RIP Pratap Pothen: Colleagues remember the 'man so full of life'". 16 July 2022. Archived from the original on 3 August 2022. Retrieved 3 August 2022.
- ^ a b "Actor Prathap Pothen no more". The Hindu. 15 July 2022. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "32nd National Film Awards" (PDF). Directorate of Film Festivals. Archived (PDF) from the original on 29 June 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "Much deserved award for Pothen's 100th film – Once Upon A Time There Was A Kallan". English Mathrubhumi News. 15 July 2022. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". 1982. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "The Times of India Directory and Year Book Including Who's who". 1982. Archived from the original on 15 July 2022. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "35th Filmfare Awards South Winners[ 1]". 4 February 2017. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "60th Idea Filmfare Awards 2013 South Nominations". Filmfare South. 4 July 2013. Archived from the original on 14 July 2023. Retrieved 15 July 2022.
- ^ "Grey: The Spy Who Loved Me Review: Raj Madiraju's Spy Thriller Works But Only In Parts". News18. 27 May 2023. Archived from the original on 1 June 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Her first-look poster out: Parvathy, Aishwarya Rajesh, Oorvasi, Remya Nambessan headline Lijin Jose's film". The Indian Express. 26 November 2022. Archived from the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 4 April 2023.