Kochi: Popular actor Pratap Pothen, 70, was found dead in his flat in Kilpauk in Chennai today.
A successful filmmaker, director and scriptwriter, Pratap had contributed immensely to Malayalam, Tamil, Telugu and Hindi film industry.
Born in 1952 in Thiruvananthapuram, Pratap was influenced by his elder brother Hari Pothen, who was a film producer.
Not interested in family business, Pratap plunged into the film world when he got an offer from Bharatan in Aaravam.
Then followed his films Thakara, chamaram, in Malayalam.
Other language films of Prathap Pothen are Nenjathe Killathe, Panineer Pushpangal. K Balachander’s Tamil film Varumayin Niram Sivappu brought him to the height of popularity.
His other notable Malayalam films are Onnu Muthal Poojyam Varey, Thanmatra, 22 Female Kottayam.
His last venture was Mohan Lal directed film Barroz.
Prathap Pothen directed 12 films including Daisy, Rithubhedam, Oru Yatra Mozhi. Pratap Pothen Married actor Radhika in 1985 and separated in one year. Later he married Amala Sathyanath in 1990 and divorced in 2012. He had a daughter Keya through her.
Prathap had won Kerala State special jury award in 2014. He had won filmfare award for Thakara in 1979 and Chamaram in 1980.
