In a fiery and candid response, filmmaker Akhil Sathyan has come out swinging against the rising tide of online criticism and trolling directed at his father, the legendary Malayalam director Sathyan Anthikad. Akhil, known for his own work in films like 'Paachuvum Albhuthavilakkum' (2023) and the upcoming 'Sarvam Maya' (2025), has labelled the attacks as "lazy judgment" aimed at unfairly diminishing a career spanning decades.
Challenging The 'Prime Time' Narrative And Gramapadam Tag
Akhil Sathyan did not hold back in a recent interview with Club FM, directly challenging the popular notion that his father's best creative years were confined to the 1990s. He urged critics to verify facts before making sweeping statements.
"People often say the 1990s were his prime time. Films like Manassinakkare, Vinodayathra, Oru Indian Pranayakadha, Njan Prakashan, and Achuvinte Amma were all made after 2000," Akhil pointed out, listing several beloved and successful films.
He also took aim at the reductive branding of Sathyan Anthikad as a routine director of 'Gramapadam' (village-themed) films. "It has been 15 years since my father made anything like that. What I want to say is, go look at Wikipedia," he stated, emphasizing that this critique is based on outdated perceptions.
Highlighting Evolution And Blockbuster Success
Akhil passionately defended his father's ability to evolve with the changing landscape of Malayalam cinema. He noted that Sathyan Anthikad began his career when films were still in black and white and has adapted throughout.
To counter claims of a lack of contemporary relevance, Akhil cited a major recent commercial achievement. He revealed that 'Hridayapoorvam', one of the rare Malayalam films to enter the prestigious Rs 100-crore club this year, was directed by his father. "That is rare," he added, underlining the filmmaker's ongoing impact.
He expressed a sense of irony, noting that the industry often celebrates filmmakers with limited success while overlooking the consistent scale of his father's work. "My father has made three times more films than they have, many of them blockbusters," Akhil asserted.
The Emotional Weight Of A Storied Legacy
Akhil Sathyan also opened up about the personal pressure that comes with being the son of such an iconic figure. He admitted that carrying the Anthikad surname brings with it a heavy burden of expectation and a specific association with 'goodness'.
"If my name were something else, like Praful Kumar, I wouldn't have carried this baggage of 'goodness.' People associate Anoop and me with the veteran who has directed 58 films, most of them hits," he shared, referring to himself and his brother, actor Anoop Sathyan.
This heartfelt defense from Akhil Sathyan serves as a powerful reminder of Sathyan Anthikad's vast and enduring contribution to Malayalam cinema, urging audiences and critics alike to look beyond superficial trends and appreciate a legacy built on storytelling and consistent success.
