Prakash Varma, 52, one of India’s most celebrated advertising filmmakers, is known for creating unforgettable campaigns such as Vodafone’s ZooZoos, Hutch’s pug, Kerala Tourism’s Your Moment is Waiting, and Dubai Tourism with Shah Rukh Khan. The co-founder of Nirvana Films sees himself as a boundary-pusher and risk-taker. In 2025, he ventured into acting with Tharun Moorthy’s Thudarum, playing the menacing antagonist “George Sir” opposite Mohanlal — a performance that won critical acclaim and opened doors to Malayalam cinema.
In an interview, Varma admitted he never aspired to act, though he had once explored becoming an assistant director. He felt nervous about sharing screen space with Mohanlal but was reassured by the director and welcomed warmly on set. “I’ll act if I find the time and feel the challenge is worth it,” he noted, while affirming his long-term dream of directing a feature film. A project is tentatively planned for 2026.
Known for taking creative risks, Varma believes pushing limits makes the process exciting. “What’s there to fear? You try, sometimes it fails, but you try again,” he said. For him, storytelling remains timeless, even as ad filmmaking today faces new challenges like shrinking budgets and emerging technology.
Reflecting on creativity, he said the key lies in balancing work and personal passions, exploring culture, and enjoying every process of filmmaking. Admiring the bold new generation of Malayalam directors, Varma insists the state’s evolved audience and film culture ensure continuous innovation despite modest budgets.