Sangeeth Prathap reveals how he landed a key role in blockbuster Mohanlal-starrer Thudarum: ‘The only reason I said yes to the film was…'

Indian Express

13-05-2025

Actor-editor Sangeeth Prathap is currently on cloud nine. It's not just that his career has taken off since the blockbuster success of Premalu (2024), with back-to-back film offers and a Kerala State Film Award for Best Editor for his work in Little Miss Rawther (2023). He's also, since then, had the chance to share the screen with Malayalam superstar Mohanlal; not just once, but twice. Although his role in director Tharun Moorthy's revenge thriller Thudarum was small, it was crucial to the narrative, and in most of his scenes, he shared the screen with Mohanlal himself. In addition to Thudarum, Sangeeth also worked alongside the legendary actor in Sathyan Anthikad's upcoming film Hridayapoorvam.
Dubbing the experience of working with him as 'great', Sangeeth said during an exclusive chat with SCREEN, 'Recently, when we went to watch Thudarum, an assistant director from our team posted a video showing Lalettan (Mohanlal) holding my hand and helping me go up the stairs. So, that was the same day the shoot for Thudarum had started. Such coincidences happen often in my life. It turns out that it was exactly a year ago, on that very day, that I saw Mohanlal for the first time. It was my wife who reminded me of it.'
He continued, 'I was telling someone recently that over the past year, it's with Lalettan that I've been spending my time, from morning till evening. For a while now, I have been right next to Lalettan, shoulder to shoulder. It's something I never imagined would happen in my life.'
Recalling how he landed a role in Thudarum, Sangeeth Prathap said: 'A year ago, when I agreed to do a cameo in Thudarum, my only goal was to see Lalettan up close. That was the only reason I committed to that film; along with my affection for director Tharun Moorthy. When I saw the announcement for the Mohanlal–Shobana movie, I messaged Tharun myself, asking him to let me know if there was any character in it for me. He called me that day or the next, saying there's a small cameo role. His movies, including the previous two — Operation Java (2021) and Saudi Vellakka (2022) — also pique excitement in us. So, it was certain, whether it's one scene or two, I had to do it.'
'He only narrated that particular event (in the story) to me. Usually, we hear many scripts, sort them, filter them, etc, right? But in this case, it was simply their names (Mohanlal, Tharum Moorthy and Shobana) that prompted me to take it up. It's the time I get to spend with them that I value above everything else,' he added.
Sangeeth Prathap continued, 'I think I had combination scenes with Lalettan for only three days. Initially, he was somewhere far away; just being able to see him was enough. But now, he's very close, both emotionally and in terms of presence; it's as if he's right beside me. He shows so much affection to all of us. He has treated me both like a son and like a friend, always talking and joking. Those moments are emotionally very special.'
Anandu Suresh is a Senior sub-editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at [e-mail]. ... Read More