Final journey of a genius

The artist in Prathap Pothen was a combination of a universal outlook on life and a personality that matches it. Prathap Pothen, who made his mark as an actor and director, passed away at the age of 70. However, one thing can be said for sure. His approach to cinema and style of acting was inimitable.

Prathap Pothen was born as the son of prominent industrialist Kulathunkal Pothen in the famous and wealthy Kulathunkal family of Thiruvananthapuram. He did his schooling at Lawrence School, Ooty. After graduating from Madras Christian College with a degree in Economics, he made his way into cinema while working in an advertising company. He also ran his own advertising company. Film producer Hari Pothen was his elder brother.

Prathap Pothen displayed a flamboyant charm both in life and in films. Prathap Pothen initially gained popularity through Bharathan's Thakara, written by Padmarajan. He created a wave in college campuses through Chamaram in which he played a rich college student who fell in love with a teacher. These two characters are enough to recognize his range as an actor. It was Bharathan who introduced Prathap Pothen through his film Aaravam in 1978. Bharathan, who was also a friend of Prathap, decided to cast him in his film after realizing that Prathap, who was doing modern plays in the theater troupe Madras Players, was the right face for his cinema. Later, different characters came to Prathap in Malayalam and Tamil. Audiences never seem to forget Prathap Pothen's roles in films by K Balachander, Balu Mahendra, Mahendran and Padmarajan. Prathap Pothen, who was part of the 1980s, a period which is described as the spring of Malayalam cinema, became a part of the new wave in Tamil cinema as well.

His Tamil films such as Azhiyaatha Kolangal, Nenjathai Killathe, Varumayin Niram Sigappu, Madhumalar, Kadhal Kathai, etc. and Malayalam films such as Novemberinte Nashtam, Lorry, Onnu Muthal Poojyam Vare and Thanmathra were notable. Prathap, who made a comeback as an actor with Ashiq Abu's 22 Female Kottayam and Idukki Gold, was still active. He was also seen in the fifth part of the CBI series.

His transition from an actor to a director was also fascinating. Prathap Pothen made his mark as a director in various languages through the films Rithubhedam, Daisy, Vetri Vizha, Oru Yathramozhi, Meendum Oru Kadhal Kathai.

Prathap's proficiency in English led him to the big world of reading. He was able to understand even modern movements in literature. Some of the last posts of Prathap Pothen, who was active on social media, had references to English poets and singers about death. Perhaps he may have felt like death was near. Like his dear friend Padmarajan, Prathap Pothen too left in his sleep. May he rest in peace.