Pratap Pothen (1952-2022) was an Indian actor, director, screenwriter, producer, and filmmaker. He worked in more than 100 South Indian films. On 15 July 2022, he died of natural health reasons at his apartment in Chennai.
Wiki/Biography
Pratap Pothan was born on Wednesday, 13 August 1952 (age 69 years; at death) in Trivandrum, Kerala. He attended The Lawrence School, Lovedale, Tamil Nadu.
Childhood photo of Pratap Pothen
In 1972, he completed his BA in Economics from Madras Christian College, Chennai. He once participated in a drawing competition at school. While he was studying in college, he joined a theater group and from there he began to develop an interest in acting.
Physical appearance
Height (approx): 5′ 7″
Eye Color: Black
Hair Color: Black
Family
Parents & Siblings
His father, Kolathinkal Pothan, is a businessman. Pratap has five siblings. His brothers’ names are Hari Pothen (film producer) and Mohan Pothen. One of her sister’s names is Devi Pothen.
Childhood photo of Pratap Pothen with his parents
Pratap Pothen with his mother
Pratap Pothen’s brother, Mohan Pothan
Brother Pratap Pothen Hari Pothan
Pratap Pothen with his sister
Wife & Children
In 1985, he married the famous South Indian actress, producer Raadhika Sarathkumar, but the couple divorced in 1986.
Pratap Pothen with his first wife, Radhika
In 1990, he married Amala Satyanath, the general manager of the Tata group in Mumbai. The couple has a daughter named Keya. In 2012, Pratap divorced his second wife Amala.
Pratap Pothen with his second wife, Amala, and daughter
Pratap Pothen with his daughter
religious views
According to his Facebook account, he is an agnostic.
Career
After completing his studies, he worked as a copywriter with several advertising agencies such as Sistas and Hindustan Thomson advertising agencies. He started his career as a theater artist. He joined a theater group called The Madras Players and performed in many theatres. While he was performing in the theater play Androcles and the Lion, he was noticed by 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 Tamil film debut with ‘Azhiyadha Kolangal’ (1979) as Indumathi’s husband.
Azhiyadha Kolangal
He acted in various Tamil films such as ‘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 started his career as a writer with the Tamil film ‘Solla Thudikuthu Manasu.’ His debut Tamil film as a director was ‘Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai’ (1985), and after almost two years, he directed his debut Malayalam film Rithubhedam (1987). Some of his films as 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 Tires and Nippo. In 2007, he played the role of KR Menon IAS in the Hindi film ‘Guru.’ He acted in the Kalaignar TV series ‘Naalaya Iyakkunar’ in 2009.
Award
- 1979: Filmfare South Award for Best Actor (Malayalam) for Thakara
- 1980: Filmfare South Award for Best Actor (Malayalam) for Chamaram
Pratap Pothen receives Filmfare award
- 1984: National Film Award for Best Director’s Debut for Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai (Tamil)
- 1987: Filmfare South Award for Best Director (Malayalam) for Rithubhedam
- 2012: South Indian International Film Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role (Malayalam) for 22 Kottayam Women
- 2012: Vanitha Film Award for Best Supporting Actor for Ayalum Njanum Thammil (Malayalam)
- 2013: Asianet Film Award for Jury Special Mention for acting for Idukki Gold (Malayalam)
- 2014: Kerala State Film Award for Special Jury Award for acting for Once Upon a Time There was a Kallan (Malayalam)
Pratap Pothen with his award
Death
On July 15, 2022, he breathed his last at his residence in Chennai. He died of natural health causes. On his death, famous Indian actor Kamal Hassan said,
I have seen how he is also good at directing fast films when he directed ‘Vetrivizha’. My condolences.”
Facts/Trivia
- Pratap used to smoke and drink alcohol.
Pratap Pothen holding a cigarette
Pratap Pothen holds a glass of alcohol
- He is a dog lover and has a pet dog.
Pratap Pothen with his pet dog
- According to his Facebook account, his favorite quote is,
Where there is no wind. Line up!!!”
- Pratap used to follow a non-vegetarian diet.
Categories: Biography
Source: SCHOOL TRANG DAI
