RIP Prathap Pothen: From Moodu Pani to Ponmagal Vandhal, here are some of the memorable Tamil films of the actor-director

Prathap Pothen, who died on Friday at the age of 69 in Chennai, was a gifted actor who appeared in numerous landmark films in Malayalam and Tamil during his four-decade career. He was also an excellent director. Prathap made his acting debut in the 1978 film Aaravam, directed by Bharathan. With the director's later films Thakara and Chamaram, he established himself as a serious performer.

In Thakara, he excelled as a mentally handicapped young man, and in Chamaram, he excelled as a college student in love with his instructor. Around the same period, he earned a name for himself in Tamil cinema with performances in films such as Azhiyatha Kolangal, Varumayin Niram Sivappu, and Nenjathai Killathe. Those films were directed by some of Tamil cinema's best directors, including Balu Mahendra, K Balachander, and Mahendran. It was not unexpected that Prathap aspired to be a director after working with such filmmakers. His debut film, Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai, was directed by him and featured as the hero. The film won him the National Award for best rookie director in 1985.

Let's take a look at some of Prathap Pothen's memorable films in Tamil, as an actor and a filmmaker:

Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai: This was his directorial debut, and was produced by Raadika. Both of them featured in lead roles. The script was co-written by Pothen along with Soma Sundareswarar. The film has music by Ilaiyaraaja and revolves around the relationship between two mentally challenged people. This one fetched the National Award for the late actor.

Azhiyatha Kolangal: The Balu Mahendra movie deals with three adolescents, their infatuation for Indumathi (Shoba), a school teacher, and circumstances that lead to the death of one of the three friends. Kamal Haasan played a guest role in the film. Notably, the music was composed by Salil Chowdhury, with lyrics by Gangai Amaran. Along with Uthiripookkal, Azhiyatha Kolangal was the only Tamil film to be shown at the International Film Festival of India in 1980.

Nenjathai Killathe: This was another film with a subtle tale telling about relationships. Mahendran's characters appear to be derived from actual life. They are never over-the-top. That might explain why Mahendran's women are so distinct from Tamil cinema's screen women. The film stars Suhasini, Sarath Babu, Prathap and Mohan. Nenjathai... focuses on a girl who is torn between the man she loved, and the man she married.

Moodu Pani: Written, directed and filmed by Balu Mahendra, the film featured Shoba, Prathap, Mohan and Bhanu Chander, in crucial roles. The film follows the story of Chandru (Pratap), who has a strong hatred toward sex workers and would kill any such woman he encounters. He falls in love with Rekha (Shoba) and believes marrying her will end his psychological distress. Moodu Pani also marked Mohan's debut in Tamil cinema.

Varumayin Niram Sivappu: Written and directed by K Balachander, this one featured Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, Prathap Pothen, Dilip and S Ve Shekher in pivotal roles. The film revolves around a group of Tamils in Delhi struggling with poverty and unemployment. It was remade in Hindi as Zara Si Zindagi (1983) with Haasan reprising his role, and Balachander again directing the same.

Kudumbam Oru Kadambam: Directed by SP Muthuraman, the film is based on Visu's play, bearing the same name. Kudumbam Oru Kadambam featured Prathap, Suhasini, Sumalatha, S Ve Shekher in key roles. It was remade in Kannada as Ananda Sagara, in Telugu as Manishiko Charithra and Malayalam as Oru Sandesam Koodi that same year.

Vazhvey Maayam: Directed by R Krishnamoorthy starring Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, Prathap Pothen and Sripriya in lead roles, this one is a remake of the 1981 Telugu film Premabhishekam. With Gangai Amaran scoring music and Vaali penning the lyrics, the film went on to become a blockbuster and completed a 260-day run at the box office.

Sindhu Bhairavi: A musical drama written and directed by K Balachander, the film featured Sivakumar, Suhasini, Sulakshana, Delhi Ganesh and Prathap Pothen. It revolves around the three lead characters: a Carnatic singer JKB, his wife Bhairavi, and his girlfriend Sindhu. At the peak of his career, JKB gets addicted to alcohol, following complications with his affair, and his career goes into a downward spiral. The film's theme is based on extramarital affairs interwoven with Carnatic music. The soundtrack was composed by Ilaiyaraaja and the film is Balachander's first collaboration with the maestro.

Pesum Padam/Pushpaka Vimana: An unemployed youth (Kamal) dreams of living well. One evening, he finds a drunken industrialist (Sameer Khakkar) passed out in a gutter and takes the opportunity to switch places with him. He finds love, intrigue, and a good life in his new home, Pushpak, a hotel where the industrialist was booked in. A silent masterpiece! Written and directed by Singeetam Srinivasa Rao, the film, which has no dialogue, features Kamal Haasan, leading an ensemble cast that includes Samir Khakhar, Tinu Anand, and KS. Ramesh, Amala, Farida Jalal, Prathap Pothan and Ramya.

Vetri Vizha: Directed by Prathap Pothen, the film featured Kamal Haasan, and Prabhu, pairing with Sasikala and Khushbu, along with Amala as a guest appearance. The film was a blockbuster and completed a 175-day run at the box office. It is loosely based on the novel The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum. Bollywood actor Salim Ghouse made his Tamil debut with this film, portraying the antagonist! This music and background score was composed by Ilaiyaraaja.

Ponmagal Vandhal: Written and directed by JJ Fredrick, the film follows a lawyer's fight to defend a wrongfully-convicted woman. In this legal drama, Jyotika plays the role of a fearless lawyer fighting for justice in children's abduction. After facing much outrage from theatre owners for releasing the film directly on OTT instead of theatres, Ponmagal Vandhal premiered on Prime Video on May 29, 2020. It has music scored by Govind Vasantha. The film has veteran directors K Bhagyaraj, Parthiban, Pandiarajan and Prathap Pothen playing important roles.