Chennai: Veteran actor and filmmaker Pratap Pothen dies aged 70

CHENNAI: Pratap Pothen, an actor with inimitable dialogue-delivery skills and demure looks, was found dead in his Kilpauk flat here on Friday morning. Aged 70, Pothen made his film debut in Aarvam (Malayalam) in 1978 after completing economics from Madras Christian College and a stint with theatre groups in Chennai.
He left an indelible mark on Tamil filmdom with movies like Azhiyadha Kolangal, Moodupani, Varumaiyin Niram Sivappu and Nenjathai Killathey.He acted in more than 100 films in at least four languages, including Tamil and Malayalam. Pothen won the national award for his directorial debut 'Meendum Oru Kaadhal Kadhai' in 1985. He later directed films like Vetri Vizha, Jeeva and Seevalaperi Pandi, which were all box-office hits. He has also churned out innumerable jingles for corporates.
As news of his death spread, celebrities including Kamal Haasan, Mani Ratnam, P C Sriram and Santhana Bharathi visited his house and paid homage, as condolences poured in.