Hey Jude’s success is bittersweet for me: Prathap Pothan

Nivin Pauly starrer Hey Jude is going strong even in its second successful week of theatrical run. Releasing on February 2, the movie opened to highly positive reviews from the critics. Soon the positive word of mouth spread and common audience also lapped up the movie. The Shyamaprasad directorial continues to get good response from the viewers.

Recently, actor Prathap Pothan posted a note on his Facebook page congratulating the Hey Jude team for their success. The veteran has mentioned that he feels bittersweet about the movie as he was initially part of the cast. According to him, he had a ‘role of a lifetime’ in the movie but unfortunately missed out on it as he fell sick during shoot. Here’s what he has written,

Congratulations are in order for Shyamaprasad and the whole cast and crew of Hey Jude …its bittersweet for me …..Sweet because i knew this film would work and i had a role of a lifetime in it ….thats precisely why its bitter …i was in goa with the unit when i fell sick …that was a blow for me i was so looking forward to doing my best in it and be back in malayalam ….but then it was not to be …..ii feel honored that i was called upon by shyamaprasad to act in the film …well then again you win some you lose some …..but heart of hearts i am so glad the film is doing extremely well

Hey Jude, scripted by newcomers Nirmal Sahadev and George Kanatt is a simple feel good entertainer. It is basically a coming-of-age story of Jude, an oddball. How love and understanding transforms Jude (Nivin Pauly) after befriending with his neighbor Crystal (Trisha) and her father Sebastian, a neuropsychologist, forms the crux of the story. It is all about love, healing and self discovery.

Presumably, Prathap Pothan must have been Shyamaprasad’s first option for playing Dr Sebastian’s character. After Prathap opted out due to illness, the role eventually reached Vijay Menon, who grabbed it with both hands and gave his career best performance.