New Delhi: Famous South Indian actor and director, Pratap Pothen, was found dead in his Chennai home on Friday, July 15, 2022. According to reports, he passed away in his sleep. He was 69 years old.
This shocking news jolted the entire Malayalam film industry, with several artists and celebrities taking to social media to pay condolences and tribute to the late actor-director.
Condoling the death of Pothen, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said, “He will always be remembered for his style and the way he carried his way forward in the industry. Even when in the years he remained aloof from the industry, he was always remembered for his performance and now that he has passed away, his name will always be etched in the memory of all.”
Pothen made his debut in the Malayalam film industry with film, Aaravaram in 1978, before he featured in popular romantic drama, Thakar in 1979 and also won a Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Malayalam in the lead role for the film.
His success knew no bounds as he immediately had a strong fan base and gave one hits after another. Pothen acted in over 100 films in Malayalam, Tamil, Telegu, and Hindi and directed a dozen films besides writing script and producing films in a career spanning over four decades.
The actor was married twice. He fell in love with actor Raadhika Sarathkumar on the sets of film, Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai which he was directing in 1985. However, the two parted ways within a year of marriage.
Pothen remarried a corporate professional, Amala Satyanath in the year 1990 but got divorced after being together for more than two decades, in 2012. The ex-couple had a daughter. He is survived by daughter, Keya Pothen.
(Avya Mathur)