'Jagalappan' was my hero and guide, says Prakash Varma on his uncle Jagannatha Varma

'Thudarum', starring screen icon Mohanlal, has broken all box office records in the history of Malayalam cinema. Directed by Tharun Moorthy, the film is running successfully in packed theatres across the globe. Among its standout performances is that of Prakash Varma, who played the antagonist George Sir, surprising audiences with his layered portrayal.

Not many know that Prakash is the nephew of the late actor Jagannatha Varma, known for his many patriarchal roles in Malayalam films. With his thick moustache and receding hairline, viewers couldn't help but be reminded of Jagannatha Varma. For Prakash, however, he was always 'Jagalappan'.

Memories of 'Jagalappan'
Prakash recalls how Jagannatha Varma used to sneak him onto film sets without the knowledge of his father, Prof. Ravindranatha Varma. These secret visits allowed him to observe filmmaking up close and ignited his passion for cinema. When Prakash didn’t land any assistant director roles, Jagannatha Varma even offered to introduce him to his son-in-law, filmmaker Viji Thampi.
A prominent ad filmmaker today, Prakash speaks to Manorama Online about his journey and the people who shaped it.

A family of intellectuals and artists
Actor Jagannatha Varma was Prakash’s uncle, the third of five siblings. Prakash’s father, Prof. Ravindranatha Varma, was the eldest and a physics professor at SD College in Alappuzha. The family’s ancestral home, ‘Kattunkal Kovilakam’, is located in Cherthala. The second brother, K.N. Mallinathan, was a doctor; the fourth, K.N. Surendranatha Varma, was also a physics professor. Their youngest sibling, Prabha Varma (Mani Chittamma), still lives at the family home.

‘We called him Jagalappan,’ says Prakash. ‘He had a towering presence and was a Kathakali and percussion artist too. Everyone in our family was drawn to the arts. Though he was a DySP and principal at a training college, we shared a very close bond. He used to kiss me on the cheek affectionately, and we joked around a lot.’

Skipping school for cinema
Despite growing up in an academically inclined household — his father was a professor and his mother, a college principal — Prakash didn’t enjoy studying. His elder brother, Praveen Varma, was a top student and a mathematics postgraduate. ‘I used to bunk classes to watch films. Whenever Jagalappan had a shoot in Alappuzha, he’d secretly inform me so I could visit the set without my father knowing,’ he recalls.

A brother’s quiet support
‘I’ve loved cinema since I was a child. It’s the art of storytelling,’ says Prakash. ‘Jagalappan was always kind to me on set. My brother Praveen also believed in me, even when my academic record disappointed my father. He’s the one who kept all my sports certificates, press clippings, and awards. He always said, "Your time will come." That kind of faith is powerful. He still says I have more to achieve.’

The path to cinema
Being Jagannatha Varma’s nephew gave Prakash rare access to film sets. He never took it for granted. He later became close with Manu Varma (Jagannatha Varma’s son), whom he calls Pradeep Chettan. After college, Prakash met numerous directors hoping to become an assistant, but most already had large teams. ‘I never used Jagalappan’s name while asking for work. I didn’t want to be an actor either — I just wanted to tell stories.’

Entry through Viji Thampi
With no luck elsewhere, Prakash turned to his beloved Jagalappan, who spoke to Viji Thampi. The couple agreed to recommend Prakash, though everyone feared his father's reaction. ‘Thanks to Jagalappan, I became Viji Chettan’s assistant. I worked on two films with him and was about to start a third with Lohithadas sir when my father passed away. After that, I moved to advertising.’

During this period, cinematographer Salu George’s assistant, Ismail, asked him to assist on 'Siamese Irattakal'. That project opened doors for him to work again with Lohithadas. He also assisted V.K. Prakash on 'Punaradhivasam' and even had a cameo in an airport scene. As advertising took over his time, film work gradually receded, but his bond with Jagannatha Varma remained strong until the latter’s passing.

A life of serendipity
‘You can’t plan everything in life. I wanted to make movies but ended up in advertising. Now, after 27 years, I love it,’ says Prakash. ‘I never imagined this would be my profession, but storytelling is at its core. In advertising, we use story, script, and dialogue to grab attention — not just sell. And 'Thudarum'? That came as a complete surprise.’

Learning from legends
‘Lalettan is always positive. He somehow twists negative things into positive thoughts. That mindset really influenced me. Tharun is another calm, confident director. Watching him execute scenes at the last minute with such ease was inspiring. I relate to his organic filmmaking style. If we give our best, the audience will respond. I don’t obsess over results. I just ask myself — did I enjoy doing it?’