Understanding Santhosh Varkey Aka Arattannan
Santhosh Varkey, known more prominently as Arattannan, is a unique and complex figure in the Malayalam social media and entertainment world. He is claiming to be a PhD student with engineering background who once had chance to get into IIT after clearing GATE, but did not go. Arattannan has also announced a startup with the name of KSOPM for creating self-directed learners. He is part of the daily of many Malayali movie goers and social media users as paparazzi follow him when he is in a theatre or the antics he creates while in public glare and also the movie and social criticism he broadcast through his social media handles. Both his Instagram and Facebook handles have more than 41K followers.
With a combination of polarising statements, a penchant for self-promotion, and controversial actions, Arattannan has carved a niche for himself as a viral personality.
To better understand him, let us delve into his psyche, personal philosophy, and the events that have shaped his public persona.
The Self-Proclaimed Intellectual Celebrity
Santhosh Varkey or Arattannan identifies himself as an intellectual, striving to emulate the legacies of great thinkers like Einstein and Bertrand Russell. His statement, “I like to be known as a professor, as an intellectual celebrity like Einstein or Russell and not a glamour celebrity,” reflects his desire to be acknowledged for his intellectual pursuits rather than superficial fame, obviously if we take his claims seriously. However, his approach to achieving this recognition often veers into contradictions.
On the one hand, he emphasizes his academic background, claiming to be an engineer pursuing a Ph.D. in philosophy. His CV also boasts a Master of Arts. On the other, he courts controversy and engages in inflammatory rhetoric, which has garnered criticism from both the general public and social media users on a regular basis.
He is seen expressing his fascination with Marxism and figures like Marx, Engels, and Lenin underscoring his (wannabe) engagement with socio-political thought. In his social media posts, Arattannan laments the dilution of Marxist ideals in Kerala, expressing concern about the rise of idealism over materialism. His detailed Facebook posts are a window into his intellectual inclinations, as he asserts:
“Scientific knowledge for each generation is a combination of observation, research, and experimentation. Marx and Engels gave us the science of social revolution.”
The Contradictions of Public Persona
Despite his claim of intellectual rigour, Santhosh often displays a thin-skinned reaction to criticism. For instance, his response to negative comments online reveals a deep-seated insecurity: “You goons, those who insult my post have no intelligence. I feel pity for those who make fun of me.”
This duality between his desire for recognition and his sensitivity to criticism creates an enigmatic image. He portrays himself as a misunderstood genius, comparing himself to Robin Hood and Mohanlal:
“Me and Mohanlal are intelligent people who act like fools. Do not underestimate anyone.” Mohanlal and Santhosh’s opinions on his movies are part of public discussions mostly. And most interestingly, the creation of identity of ‘Arattannan’ also has a Mohanlal connection.
Santhosh and His Relationship with ‘Cinema’
Cinema (in fact his engagements surrounding cinema halls) central to Santhosh Varkey’s identity. His YouTube channel and social media presence revolve around film reviews, where his commentary ranges from humorous to offensive. His breakout moment came during a review of Mohanlal’s film Aarattu, earning him the moniker Arattannan.
However, his journey as a reviewer has not been without controversy. He has been accused of making personal attacks on actors and providing reviews without even watching the films. Producers and actors have called him out, alleging defamation, with one incident leading to an assault. Yet, Santhosh remains unapologetic, asserting that his opinions are authentic and unmotivated by financial gain:
“I didn’t take money from anyone. If I had taken money like that, I would have become a millionaire.”
His public and private behaviour have also led to allegations of harassment. Actress Nithya Menon publicly accused him of stalking her and her family for over six years. She described his actions as relentless, stating:
“He has been giving us a lot of trouble for years. I’ve blocked about thirty of his numbers.”
Similarly, actress Anarkali Marikar revealed that Santhosh frequently calls her, although she appears to tolerate his behaviour with a mix of amusement and pity.
Recently, he was in news when actress Aishwarya Lakshmi refused to shake hands with him as he approached her during a public event.
Apart from this, some recent videos emerged, in which he was seen calling actors and asking about their movies. The purpose of this action, shot as reels and posted by paparazzi, seems to be to place himself in public as someone who has connections in the film industry.
The Pursuit of Validation
One recurring theme in Santhosh’s statements is his yearning for validation. He laments the lack of romantic attention in his life despite his internet fame:
“What I do not understand is that I am such a viral person, but even after everything, not a single girl told me ‘I love you.’”
“This confession reflects a deep sense of loneliness and a craving for connection, which perhaps drives his controversial behaviour,” a social commentator told Timeline. He openly expresses admiration for actresses, often crossing boundaries, as seen in his remarks about Aishwarya Lakshmi and his controversial marriage proposal to Nithya Menon.
And at the same time, Santhosh is also seen denouncing opportunities he may have got from the public attention. When the rumours were rife that he may be part of Malayalam Big Boss this season, he was seen telling that he does not want to be part of such a show and that is not his cup of tea.
Controversies and Allegations
Santhosh Varkey’s public life after he emerged as “Arattannan”has been marred by several controversies:
Harassment Allegations: His comments and actions toward actresses have often been deemed inappropriate. Nithya Menon’s allegations highlight a disturbing pattern of behavior.
Obscene Remarks: He faced police warnings for making vulgar comments about actresses under the guise of film reviews.
Assault Incident: He was physically attacked for allegedly reviewing a film without watching it, which he later clarified was a misunderstanding.
Criminal Allegations: A serious accusation of involvement in the sexual assault of a transgender woman has recently come to light, casting a shadow over his public persona. However, Santhosh had denied the charges.
The Outsider Complex
“Santhosh often portrays himself as a victim of systemic corruption and societal misunderstanding, which is visible in his social media posts and allegations he makes when things go south,” said the commentator. Recently, he has expressed frustration over being unable to attain a teaching position due to perceived nepotism and corruption:
“Here all the wives of the comrades are assistant professors. I cannot become an assistant professor with merit like NET, JRF, GATE. Everything here is corruption.”
This sense of being an outsider fuels his defiance, as he likens himself to historical figures like Socrates and Bruno, who were persecuted for their beliefs:
“Socrates, Bruno, etc., were killed for telling the truth. I am also ready to die. But I will tell the truth.”
Critics, including actor Sabumon Abdusamad, who had recently warned Santhosh of physical violence, have described him as “not mentally okay,” pointing to his invasive actions as evidence.
Santhosh Varkey’s life is a study in contradictions. He is at once a self-styled intellectual and a social media provocateur, a seeker of validation and a polarising public figure. His quotes, such as “No matter what, my world is cinema. Watching films, commenting, and seeing stars is the joy of my life,” reveal a man deeply passionate about his interests yet unable to navigate the boundaries of appropriate behaviour, or many feels like that.
While his intellectual aspirations and love for cinema resonate with his followers, his controversial actions and statements alienate many. His story is a cautionary tale of how the quest for fame, when combined with personal insecurities, can create a fractured public image.
Santhosh Varkey, aka Arattannan, remains an enigmatic figure. He is both admired and ridiculed, a man who embodies the extremes of social media culture. His journey reflects the challenges of reconciling personal ambition with public perception, a struggle that continues to define his life.
However, Santhosh Varkey is clear about what he is doing: “No matter what, my world is cinema. Watching films, commenting, and seeing stars is the joy of my life.”
