Meet Prakash Varma, 52-year-old ad filmmaker turned villain in Mohanlal blockbuster Thudarum

It’s not easy to be in front of the camera after so many years behind it—especially when you're sharing screen space with a legend and a brilliant actor like Lalettan. The space and confidence he gave me were incredible. He has a way of saying things that really lift your confidence. And more than that, the way the character arc was written by Sunil and Tarun was absolutely brilliant. That foundation helped me. When you perform opposite someone with Lalettan’s aura, it gives the scene power. It would’ve been a completely different experience playing the same role opposite a junior actor. I thoroughly enjoyed the process. I love Tarun’s way of directing.

Absolutely. The character is written that way. When Tarun came to my office, he was very clear he wanted me for George. Sunil had shown him my picture, and he said, “I found my George.” I asked for more clarity, and Tarun gave one of the best narrations I’ve heard in recent times—three and a half hours of incredible detail. I spoke to my wife Sneha, and she said, “What a brilliant director.” So I took the leap. It was risky because George’s character was as important as Lalettan’s. But I believe you must take risks in life to understand yourself and stay focused. You’re walking a very thin line—either it works or it doesn’t.

Exactly. Even in advertising, I’ve always looked for the unfamiliar. I get bored doing the same kind of emotion. So I search for things that are risky, where I don’t have references. This was a similar situation—just on a bigger scale. M Renjith is a brilliant producer, and then you have legends like Mohanlal, Shobhana, and Maniyanpilla Raju. But I love that kind of space. When an opportunity like that comes, I always press the button, no matter what.

It was quite interesting. Once I committed, I told Tarun, “Now I’m yours—just play with me.” Being a filmmaker for so long, I understand roles and boundaries. I never cross into someone else’s space—be it a costume designer, editor, or music director. I give my team the space to explore. So on set, I was just a tool. I told them, treat me like a prop, move me left or right. And Tarun is brilliant. He’s very content-driven and instinctive. The first night I had a heavy scene and he started changing lines right before the take. I understood quickly that he thrives on improvisation. That’s his process—and I adapted.

He constantly distracted me before takes. Just before a heavy scene, he’d show me videos or talk about something random. At first, I was confused. But later I realised it was brilliant. It kept things organic and unplanned. I’ve never rehearsed too much with my actors either, so I relate. Now, I have a deeper appreciation for what actors go through. I think I’ve become a softer, better person because of this experience.

Yes, when I heard the narration, I thought, “What an interesting character.” It’s a mass film, but with strong emotional and story elements—very Malayalam in that sense. George is fun, sings, dances, and slowly shifts. That shift is crucial. It’s not in-your-face villainy—it’s subtle. And then he becomes a complete psycho. It gave me so much to do, especially for a debut. I could’ve easily stayed in my comfort zone. I’m glad I didn’t.

We expected a good film and hoped people would like it. But this is something else. I believe beyond talent and hard work, some divine blessings were at play. Some scenes just happened organically and changed the film. The reactions, the social media buzz—none of us expected it to be this big.

Definitely. Even small-town theatres were full. The celebrations, the first-day madness, the screaming—it’s like the old days. Theatre owners were thrilled. I’ve seen videos of people celebrating in remote corners of Kerala. That’s something else.

Thankfully, I’ve been in the industry for 27 years—so I don’t take pressure. I’ve had ups and downs. I only ask: Will I have fun? Will this challenge me? Then I jump in. It’s not about trying to top the last success. That’s for others to decide.

Absolutely. He doesn’t overthink. There’s no “process” he can explain. He just becomes the character. One moment he’s joking, the next he’s in the zone. It’s effortless. And it’s all inner discipline and years of training. But he never makes it seem like hard work.

Honestly, I barely stepped out. But one morning in Fort Kochi, I went for breakfast with my wife and son—and it was different. I couldn’t leave my house for two days after. Since then, calls have come in till 3am. I try to answer everyone. It’s overwhelming and beautiful.

Yes. I came into this industry to tell stories. I’m working on writing a feature film right now. I’ll continue with advertising, which I still love. But this acting experience has changed me. You will see more of me on screen—provided I get the right vibe from the filmmaker.