Prakash Varma’s fascinating connection with ‘Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam’ | WATCH

Prakash Varma has been basking in the spotlight ever since the release of Thudarum, thanks to his stellar performance that emerged as a delightful surprise in the film.

Thudarum, featuring Mohanlal and Shobana in the lead roles and directed by Tharun Moorthy, has garnered significant attention—mainly due to the remarkable performances of its actors, including Mohanlal, Shobana, Prakash Varma, Binu Pappu, and Thomas Mathew.

However, what has truly captivated fans now is a recent revelation made by Prakash Varma during a session at the MBIFL 2025, held earlier this year at Kanakakunnu Palace.

For those unfamiliar, Prakash Varma has long been recognised for his visionary work behind the camera. As the creative force behind some of India’s most iconic advertising campaigns—most notably the beloved Vodafone ZooZoo commercials—Varma has firmly established himself as a powerhouse in the world of advertising. He leads Nirvana Films, one of India’s premier production houses specialising in television adverts, and has directed campaigns for numerous global brands.

A curious link to Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam

Speaking at the literature festival, Prakash amusingly recalled how a plywood advertisement he directed years ago—just a 60-second endeavour—contained a core idea strikingly similar to the one explored in Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, the 2022 film directed by Lijo Jose Pellissery and headlined by Mammootty.

The film won two major accolades: Best Film (awarded to Lijo Jose Pellissery and George Sebastian) and Best Actor for Mammootty. At its heart, the story follows a group of Malayali pilgrims returning to Kerala after visiting the revered Basilica of Our Lady of Good Health in Velankanni, Tamil Nadu. While the rest of the group sleeps, their tour leader, James, stops the bus in a remote Tamil village. He steps off, wanders into the village, enters a local home, and suddenly begins behaving like a native Tamilian—speaking the language fluently and assuming the role of a family member, as though he belongs.

Echoes from an old advertisement

In Prakash Varma’s plywood advertisement, a young Punjabi boy travelling with his parents suddenly hops out of their vehicle and runs into a Tamil household. There, past memories seem to reignite within him. He starts speaking in Tamil, to the astonishment of those around him. The narrative delicately blurs the boundaries between identity, memory, and belonging—offering a transient yet evocative journey that mirrors the thematic depth of Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam.

During his talk, Prakash Varma emphasised the power of themes and the beauty of visual storytelling. He praised Lijo Jose Pellissery, Mammootty, and the entire team for their masterful execution of a novel concept.

Prakash Varma continues to inspire with his creativity—both behind the camera and now, increasingly, on screen.