Pratap Pothen (1952-2022) was an Indian actor, director, scriptwriter, producer, and filmmaker. On 15 July 2022, he passed away of natural causes at his apartment in Chennai.
Wiki/Biography
Pratap Pothan was born on Wednesday, 13 August 1952 (age 69 years; at the time of death) in Trivandrum, Kerala. He did his schooling at The Lawrence School, Lovedale, Tamil Nadu.
Pratap Pothen’s childhood picture
In 1972, he completed BA in Economics from Madras Christian College, Chennai. He used to participate in painting competitions in school. In college, he joined a theatre group and from there he started developing an interest in acting.
Physical Appearance
Height (approx.): 5′ 7″
Eye Colour: Black
Hair Colour: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Kolathinkal Pothan, was a businessman. Pratap had five siblings. His elder brothers’ names are Hari Pothen (film producer) and Mohan Pothen. One of his sisters’ names is Devi Pothen.
Pratap Pothen’s childhood photo with his parents
Pratap Pothen with his mother
Pratap Pothen’s brother Mohan Pothan
Pratap Pothen’s brother Hari Pothan
Pratap Pothen with his sister
Wife & Children
In 1985, he got married to the famous South Indian actress-producer Raadhika Sarathkumar, but the couple got divorced in 1986.
Pratap Pothen with his first wife, Radhika
In 1990, he got married to Amala Satyanath, a general manager with Tata group in Mumbai. The couple has a daughter named Keya. In 2012, Pratap got divorced from his second wife Amala.
Pratap Pothen with his second wife, Amala, and his daughter
Pratap Pothen with his daughter
Religious Views
According to his Facebook account, he was an agnostic.
Career
He started his career as a theatre artist. He joined a theatre group named The Madras Players and performed in many theatre plays. While he was performing in the theatre play Androcles and the Lion, he was spotted by the Indian filmmaker Bharathan, who offered Pratap the role of Kokkarakko in the Malayalam film Aaravam (1978).
Aaravam (1978)
He appeared in many Malayalam films such as ‘Thakara’ (1979), ‘Chamaram’ (1980), ‘Sindoora Sandhyakku Mounam’ (1982), ‘Once Upon A Time There Was A Kallan’ (2014), and ‘Forensic’ (2020).
Once Upon A Time There Was A Kallan
He made his debut in Tamil films with ‘Azhiyadha Kolangal’ (1979) as Indumathi’s husband.
Azhiyadha Kolangal
He acted in various Tamil films like ‘Ilamai Kolam’ (1980), ‘Kudumbam Oru Kadambam’ (1981), ‘Echchil Iravugal’ (1982), ‘Aayirathil Oruvan’ (2010), and ‘Kamali From Nadukkaveri’ (2021). Pratap made his Telugu debut with the film ‘Aakali Rajyam’ (1981) as Pratap.
Aakali Rajyam (1981)
His other Telugu films are ‘Kanchana Ganga’ (1984), ‘Justice Chakravarthy’ (1984), ‘Chukkallo Chandrudu’ (2006), ‘Yevade Subramanyam’ (2015), and ‘Veedevadu’ (2017). In 1988, he debuted as a writer with the Tamil film ‘Solla Thudikuthu Manasu.’ His debut Tamil film as a director is ‘Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai’ (1985), and after almost two years, he directed his debut Malayalam film Rithubhedam (1987). Some of his films as a writer and director are ‘Jeeva’ (1988), ‘My Dear Marthandan’ (1990), ‘Magudam’ (1992), ‘Seevalaperi Pandi’ (1994), and ‘Lucky Man’ (1995). Pratap started his ad agency “Green Apple” and directed TV commercials for MRF Tyres and Nippo. In 2007, he played the role of K. R. Menon I.A.S. in the Hindi film ‘Guru.’ He acted in the Kalaignar TV serial ‘Naalaya Iyakkunar’ in 2009.
Awards
- 1979: Filmfare Awards South for Best Actor (Malayalam) for Thakara
- 1980: Filmfare Awards South for Best Actor (Malayalam) for Chamaram
Pratap Pothen receiving Filmfare award
- 1984: National Film Award for Best Debut Film of a Director for the film Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai
- 1987: Filmfare Awards South for Best Director (Malayalam) for Rithubhedam
- 2012: South Indian International Movie Awards for Best Actor in a Negative Role (Malayalam) for 22 Female Kottayam
- 2012: Vanitha Film Awards for Best Supporting Actor for Ayalum Njanum Thammil
- 2013: Asianet Film Awards for Special Jury Mention for acting for Idukki Gold 3 Dots
- 2014: Kerala State Film Award for Special Jury Award for acting for Once upon a Time There was a Kallan
Pratap Pothen with his award
Death
On 15 July 2022, he took his last breath at his residence in Chennai. He died of natural causes. On his demise, the famous Indian actor Kamal Hassan said,
I have seen how he was also adept at directing fast-paced movies when he directed ‘Vetrivizha’. My condolences.”
Facts/Trivia
- Before making his career as an actor, he worked as a copywriter with a few ad agencies like Sistas ad agency and Hindustan Thomson.
- Pratap used to smoke and drink alcohol.
Pratap Pothen holding a cigarette
Pratap Pothen holding a glass of alcohol
- He was a dog lover and owned a pet dog.
Pratap Pothen with his pet dog
- According to his Facebook account, his favourite quote was,
Where there is no wind. Row!!!”
- Pratap used to follow a non-vegetarian diet.