# Pratap Pothen

Pratap Pothen (13 August 1952 – 15 July 2022) was an Indian actor and filmmaker who acted in about 100 films and directed 12 films. He appeared in Tamil, Malayalam, and Telugu as well as Hindi films. He also worked as a scriptwriter and producer for films.

## Early life and career

Pratap was born in Trivandrum, Kerala on 13 August 1952. His father was Pothan of the Kolathinkal house, a businessman who died in 1967, when Pratap was 15 years old. Pratap had five siblings, including an elder brother, Hari Pothan, who also worked as a film producer.
Pratap was educated at the Lawrence School, Lovedale in Ooty. 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. 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.

## Personal life

Pratap 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.

## Film career

Pratap worked with The Madras Players. After seeing Pratap's performance in Shaw's play Androcles and the Lion, Bharathan invited Pratap to appear in his Malayalam film Aaravam.
Pratap later starred in three more films: Thakara, Lorry and Chamaram.
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. Prathap worked with Kamal Haasan in Vettri Vizhaa (1989). The film is noteworthy for being the first Tamil movie to use a steadicam.
Pratap created three more films in Malayalam Rithubhedam, Daisy, Oru Yathramozhi. His only Telugu film is Chaitanya and his only role in Bollywood is in Guru. 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.
He directed Tamil films including Jeeva, Vettri Vizhaa, Seevalaperi Pandi and Lucky Man.
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.
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.
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.

## Death

Pratap was found dead in his apartment in Kilpauk, Chennai on 15 July 2022. He is believed to have died of natural causes.

## Awards and nominations

| Award | Year | Category | Film | Result |
| National Film Awards | 1984 | Best Debut Film of a Director | Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai | Won |
| Kerala State Film Awards | 2014 | Special Jury Award for acting | Once upon a Time There was a Kallan | Won |
| Filmfare Awards South | 1979 | Best Actor (Malayalam) | Thakara | Won |
| Filmfare Awards South | 1979 | Best Actor (Tamil) | Azhiyatha Kolangal | Nominated |
| Filmfare Awards South | 1980 | Best Actor (Malayalam) | Chamaram | Won |
| Filmfare Awards South | 1980 | Best Actor (Tamil) | Nenjathai Killathe | Nominated |
| Filmfare Awards South | 1987 | Best Director (Malayalam) | Rithubhedam | Won |
| Filmfare Awards South | 2012 | Best Supporting Actor (Malayalam) | Ayalum Njanum Thammil | Nominated |
| South Indian International Movie Awards | 2012 | Best Actor in a Negative Role (Malayalam) | 22 Female Kottayam | Won |
| South Indian International Movie Awards | 2012 | 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

Order based on number of films that he acted in.

### As an actor
#### Tamil films

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1979 | Azhiyatha Kolangal | Indumathi's husband | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil |
| 1980 | Ilamai Kolam | Ilangovan | |
| 1980 | Moodu Pani | Chandru | |
| 1980 | Varumayin Niram Sivappu | Prathap | |
| 1980 | Nenjathai Killathe | Prathap | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Tamil |
| 1981 | Karaiyellam Shenbagapoo | C. Kalyana Raman | |
| 1981 | Madhu Malar | Madhu | |
| 1981 | Kudumbam Oru Kadambam | Kannan | |
| 1981 | Panneer Pushpangal | Prem | |
| 1981 | Sollathe Yarum Kettaal | | |
| 1981 | Nenjil Oru Mull | Prathap | |
| 1981 | Vaa Intha Pakkam | | |
| 1981 | Thillu Mullu | Himself | Cameo appearance |
| 1981 | Rani | | |
| 1981 | Panimalar | | |
| 1982 | Vaazhvey Maayam | Prathap | |
| 1982 | Amma | | |
| 1982 | Echchil Iravugal | | |
| 1982 | Oru Varisu Uruvagiradhu | | |
| 1982 | Sattam Sirikkiradhu | Raj | |
| 1982 | Eera Vizhi Kaaviyangal | | |
| 1982 | Nandri, Meendum Varuga | Prathap | |
| 1983 | Yudhakaandam | | |
| 1984 | Pudhumai Penn | Advocate David | |
| 1984 | Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai | Ganapathi "Guppi" | Also director |
| 1985 | Sindhu Bhairavi | Sanjeevi | |
| 1987 | Manaivi Ready | Doctor | |
| 1987 | Jallikattu | | Guest appearance |
| 1988 | En Jeevan Paduthu | Dr. Vijay | |
| 1988 | Penmani Aval Kanmani | Parandhaman | |
| 1988 | Raththa Dhanam | | |
| 1988 | Jeeva | Magician in song "Abracadabra" | Cameo appearance |
| 1988 | Ithuthan Arambam | | |
| 1990 | Sirayil Sila Raagangal | Pratap | |
| 1992 | Amaran | Raja Varma | |
| 1997 | Thedinen Vanthathu | Vicky | |
| 2005 | Priyasakhi | Priya's father | |
| 2005 | Raam | Psychiatrist | |
| 2008 | Velli Thirai | Himself | Cameo appearance |
| 2009 | Padikathavan | Ramakrishnan | |
| 2009 | Sarvam | Psychiatrist | Cameo appearance |
| 2010 | Aayirathil Oruvan | Chandramouli | |
| 2010 | Veerasekaran | | |
| 2011 | Muran | | Cameo appearance |
| 2012 | Suzhal | Matthews | |
| 2013 | Alex Pandian | Radhakrishnan | |
| 2014 | Poojai | Divya's Father | |
| 2016 | Remo | Dr. Ravichandran | |
| 2017 | Sathura Adi 3500 | Fahad | |
| 2017 | Yaar Ivan | Dr. Xavier D'Souza | |
| 2019 | Kolaiyuthir Kaalam | Business manager | |
| 2020 | Ponmagal Vandhal | Judge | |
| 2021 | Kamali From Nadukkaveri | Arivudainambi | |
| 2021 | Tughlaq Durbar | Doctor | Cameo appearance |
| 2022 | Coffee with Kadhal | Ravi, Saravanan, Varshini and Kathir's father | Posthumous release |
| 2022 | Yugi | Purushothaman | Posthumous release |
| 2024 | Ippadiku Kadhal | | Posthumous release |

#### Malayalam films

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1978 | Aaravam | Kokkarakko | |
| 1979 | Thakara | Thakara | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam |
| 1980 | Aarohanam | Raju | |
| 1980 | Pavizha Mutthu | Santhosh | |
| 1980 | Chandra Bimbam | Gopi | |
| 1980 | Thaliritta Kinakkal | | |
| 1980 | Lorry | Dasappan | |
| 1980 | Chamaram | Vinod | Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam |
| 1980 | Oormakale Vida Tharu | | |
| 1980 | Pappu | Pappu | |
| 1981 | Aparna | | |
| 1982 | Sindoora Sandhyakku Mounam | Anil-Raju | |
| 1982 | Idavela | | |
| 1982 | Preeyasakhi Radha | | |
| 1982 | Novemberinte Nashtam | Das | |
| 1983 | America America | Baby | |
| 1983 | Kaikeyi | | |
| 1984 | Aksharangal | | |
| 1986 | Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare | Josekutty | |
| 1987 | Nirabhedangal | Jayadevan | |
| 2005 | Thanmathra | Doctor | |
| 2009 | Calendar | Cleetus | |
| 2010 | Pulliman | | |
| 2012 | 22 Female Kottayam | Hegde | SIIMA Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role |
| 2012 | Ayalum Njanum Thammil | Dr.Samuel | Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Malayalam |
| 2013 | 3 Dots | Padmakumar/Pappettan | |
| 2013 | Aaru Sundarimaarude Katha | Alex Paul | |
| 2013 | Up & Down - Mukalil Oralundu | Edathil Govindan Nair | |
| 2013 | Arikil Oraal | Sudhir Bose | |
| 2013 | Idukki Gold | Micheal | |
| 2014 | London Bridge | C S Nambiar | |
| 2014 | Bangalore Days | Francis | |
| 2014 | Alice: A True Story | Dr. Sivapanchanathan | |
| 2014 | Munnariyippu | KK | |
| 2014 | Vegam | Benny | |
| 2014 | Once Upon A Time There Was A Kallan | | |
| 2015 | Mariyam Mukku | Father Gabriel | |
| 2015 | Appavum Veenjum | Fernandez | |
| 2015 | Kanal | Raghu | |
| 2017 | Ezra | Col.Nambiar | |
| 2019 | Uyare | Senior Air Traffic Controller | |
| 2020 | Pachamanga | | |
| 2020 | Forensic | Dr. Jayakumar Menon | |
| 2022 | CBI 5: The Brain | Dr. George Abraham | |
| 2022 | Adrishyam | Purushothaman | Posthumous release |
| 2024 | Her | Vijayakumar | Posthumous release |

#### Telugu films

| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
| 1981 | Aakali Rajyam | Pratap | |
| 1984 | Kanchana Ganga | Mohan | |
| 1984 | Justice Chakravarthy | Pratap | |
| 2006 | Chukkallo Chandrudu | Prakash | |
| 2010 | Maro Charitra | Balu's father | |
| 2015 | Yevade Subramanyam | Butterfly Park Worker | |
| 2017 | Veedevadu | Dr. Xavier D'Souza | |
| 2023 | Grey: The Spy Who Loved Me | Sudarshan Reddy | Posthumous release |

#### Other language films

| Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes |
| 1987 | Pushpaka Vimana | | Silent | |
| 2007 | Guru | K. R. Menon I.A.S. | Hindi | |

### As director

| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
| 1985 | Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai | Tamil | Also actor, producer 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

* Solla Thudikuthu Manasu (1988) (Tamil)

### Television

* Naalaya Iyakkunar (2019) (Kalaignar TV) (Tamil)