Beyond the screen: Prachi Tehlan’s candid take on Unni Mukundan

Former netball captain Prachi Tehlan reflects on a seven-year bond with Unni Mukundan, revealing the grounded person behind the star persona.

The glitz of a film set often masks the quiet, enduring friendships that form behind the lens. For actress and former Indian netball captain Prachi Tehlan, her acquaintance with Unni Mukundan evolved into a deep personal connection that has spanned seven years. While the public often views the actor through his high-octane roles, Tehlan’s recent original article shared on social media provides a rare, humanizing glimpse into the life of a man who rose through the ranks without a legacy.

The two first crossed paths during the production of Mamangam in 2019. However, the seeds of her curiosity were sown a year earlier. Tehlan recalls being struck by a poster of the actor in a female avatar for Chanakyathantram, wondering who possessed the versatility to pull off such a transformation. When they finally met on the sets of their collaborative project, the language barrier—or lack thereof—solidified their rapport. Finding a co-star with whom she could converse fluently in Hindi turned a professional assignment into a lasting companionship.

A portrait of innocence

Beyond the professional camaraderie, Tehlan paints a picture of a man vastly different from his public perception. She describes a friend who retains a childlike innocence in his eyes, shielded from the cynicism often found in the industry. While critics might label him as stubborn, Tehlan views this trait as his defining strength—a necessary armor for a first-generation actor carving out his own space in a competitive ecosystem.

For the duo, the friendship is anchored in the mundane: long hours of conversation, mutual leg-pulling, and the occasional "tea dates" that serve as a respite from their busy schedules. As Unni Mukundan shifts his focus toward the expansion of his film production house, Tehlan remains a vocal supporter, acknowledging that his path is fraught with challenges.

Why it matters

In an industry where relationships are often transactional and fleeting, the public documentation of such friendships offers a window into the actor’s off-screen grounding. For Prachi Tehlan, highlighting this bond is about more than just celebrity camaraderie; it is a recognition of the grit required for an outsider to thrive in Malayalam cinema.

The discourse surrounding these stars often oscillates between worship and criticism. By framing Mukundan as a human first and a performer second, Tehlan shifts the narrative away from the box office to the resilience of a self-made artist. It serves as a reminder that behind every carefully curated media profile lies a person whose most significant achievements are often the friendships they sustain while navigating the pressures of fame.