Pratap Pothen immortalized many characters in his career spanning 44 years.
Pratap Pothen immortalized many characters in his career spanning 44 years.
She will no longer be a dim, playful smile because Pratap Pothen is no more. Dear Malayalam Actor, Filmmaker and Film Producer, Died on 15 July at his apartment in Chennaihas left an indelible mark on South Indian cinema, especially in Malayalam and Tamil.
Though a talented filmmaker, Pratap made his debut as an actor in 1978 in Ustad Bharatan’s 1978 Malayalam film aaravmi, and shone in roles both quirky and serious. This is a list of his five most memorable performances in Malayalam cinema:
Read also: Tribute to Suhasini Mani Ratnam’s dear friend Pratapi
Aaravam (1978)
Pratap Pothen as Kokkrako Annan in Bharathan’s ‘Aaravam’. photo credit: aswin vn
Pratap’s habit of being charmingly quirky was demonstrated in his first film itself. He played the role of the irrepressible Kokkarako Annan who, as the name suggests, was so obsessed with chickens that he was always around two whom he considered his son. In a film dominated by a brilliant Nedumudi Venu as the prodigious hunter Maruthu, Pratap and his roster managed to be almost memorable.
where to look: youtube
Thakara (1979)
Screenshot of Pratap Pothen as Thakra from Bharathan’s 1979 Malayalam film ‘Thakara’
In one of his best performances, Pratap played the character of an intellectually disabled orphan to perfection, influenced by his village’s dream girl Subashini, in a Bharatan film now considered a cult classic. Pratap effortlessly portrays the naivete and awkwardness of Thakra, who has no idea how to handle a crush and ends up cultivating a violent passion misled by his hedonist mentor Chelappan Ashari, played by Nedumudi Venu, whose They had a wonderful onscreen rapport together.
where to look: youtube
Chamaram (1980)
Pratap Pothen and Zarina Wahab in Malayalam film ‘Chamaram’ directed by Bharathan. , photo credit: Jayaram Combines
In this romantic classic, Bharatan once again harnesses Pratap’s innate charm to embody the character of Vinod, a college student who falls in love with his lecturer Indu, played by Zarina Wahab. It was a daring role that not many actors would have taken back. However, Pratap has rarely taken the beaten path.
where to look: youtube
22 Women Kottayam (2012)
Screenshot of Pratap Pothen as Hegde from the film ’22 Female Kottayam’ directed by Aashiq Abu
Although Pratap’s playful charm may be endearing, Aashiq Abu shows that it can also be used effectively to convey a rapist’s bone-chilling violent instincts. 22 Female Kottayam Pratap had a comeback in Malayalam cinema, and he could not have chosen a better role than Hegde, a vicious sexual predator.
where to look: Jio Cinema
Ayalum Najanum Thamil (2012)
Pratap Pothen as Dr. Samuel in the poster of the 2012 Malayalam film ‘Aylum Najanum Thamil’ directed by Lal Jose and starring Prithviraj Sukumaran. photo credit: special arrangement
Dr Samuel from Lal Jose’s film is arguably Pratap’s best performance since his return to Malayalam cinema, and is one of his most beloved characters. Pratap manages to convey the various shades of a brilliant doctor who, despite being loving, caring and soft-spoken, stands firm in his values. He filled the character with so much empathy that Dr. Samuel became unforgettable for the audience.
where to look: Jio Cinema