Prakash Varma: From ZooZoos To The Menacing George Mathan Of Thudarum
In a surprising turn that has caught both audiences and critics off guard, advertising veteran Prakash Varma has emerged as one of the standout performers in Thudarum, the latest Malayalam crime drama directed by Tharun Moorthy. Best known for directing the iconic Vodafone ZooZoo commercials and heading Nirvana Films, Varma’s shift to acting—particularly as the villain George Mathan—marks a dramatic leap into the cinematic spotlight.
Thudarum, which premiered on 25 April 2025, is widely celebrated for Mohanlal’s powerful return to form. But just as compelling is Varma’s performance as the antagonist, a brooding, manipulative police inspector whose presence sends a chill through the story’s emotional undercurrents. In a role that echoes the terrifying gravitas once brought to screen by Malayalam greats like Thilakan, Narendra Prasad, and NF Varghese, Varma’s George Mathan is not just a corrupt officer—he is institutionalised evil with a disturbingly calm demeanour.
Tharun Moorthy took a bold risk in casting a newcomer to play against Mohanlal, and it has paid off in spades. While the veteran actor Shanmughan—an emotionally repressed taxi driver from Ranni—delivers a career-best performance, it’s Varma’s quiet menace that elevates the conflict. He plays George not as a cartoon villain, but as someone chillingly real, almost indifferent in his cruelty. The restraint with which he embodies the role makes the character far more unsettling than a louder, more theatrical performance would have.
Despite being a fresh face in the world of cinema, Varma’s entry is not without precedent. His deep visual understanding, honed through years of advertising work, appears to have guided his performance. The man who once orchestrated charming commercials has now channelled that same sense of precision into something far darker. Critics have applauded his transition, noting that his George is both smug and sadistic, and yet eerily composed—an embodiment of systemic rot that lingers beyond the final scene.
For those familiar with Varma’s advertising work—including his international collaborations with Hollywood director Michael Bay’s production company, The Institute—his foray into acting may seem like a brief creative diversion. But the impact of his performance in Thudarum suggests something more substantial. Many are already calling for a deeper exploration of George Mathan in future spin-offs, a testament to how deeply Varma has etched himself into the viewer’s memory.
Ultimately, Thudarum is more than just a comeback vehicle for Mohanlal—it’s a reaffirmation of storytelling where even supporting roles are cast with purpose and depth. Varma’s entry into this world, though unexpected, feels like a natural evolution for someone with such a keen understanding of narrative and tone. Whether he returns to the screen or not, his portrayal of George Mathan has left a lasting imprint on Malayalam cinema—a reminder that even the most familiar faces from behind the camera can still surprise us when they step in front of it.
