Akhil Sathyan slams trolls targeting his father, Sathyan Anthikad: 'Go look at Wikipedia before passing judgment'

Akhil Sathyan, known for his movies like ‘Paachuvum Albhuthavilakkum’ (2023) and ‘Sarvam Maya’ (2025), has countered the growing criticism against his father, veteran filmmaker Sathyan Anthikad. In a recent interview, Akhil Sathyan spoke candidly about the controversy, calling out what he described as lazy judgment and unfair trolling aimed at diminishing his father’s decades-long contribution to Malayalam cinema.Akhil did not mince words while responding to those who label Sathyan Anthikad as a dated filmmaker. He urged critics to check facts before commenting. He challenged the popular notion that his father’s best work ended in the 1990s. In an interview with Club FM “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. He added that branding Sathyan Anthikad as a routine “Gramapadam” director shows careless thinking, especially since, as he stressed, “It has been 15 years since my father made anything like that. What I want to say is, go look at Wikipedia.”Akhil also reflected on his father’s cinematic journey and adaptability. He highlighted how Sathyan Anthikad belongs to a generation that evolved alongside Malayalam cinema itself. “When my father entered films, Malayalam cinema was still in black and white. He evolved with the medium,” he said.Addressing claims that his father lacks contemporary relevance, Akhil cited recent successes. He also shared that 'Hridayapoorvam,' one of the year’s Rs 100-crore Malayalam films, was directed by Sathyan Anthikad. “That is rare,” he added, underlining the filmmaker’s continued impact.He noted the irony of the industry celebrating filmmakers with limited success while overlooking his father’s scale. “My father has made three times more films than they have, many of them blockbusters,” Akhil said.Akhil also opened up about the emotional weight of legacy. He admitted that carrying the Anthikad surname comes with expectations. “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 said.