Prakash Raj
Prakash Raj is the screen name of Prakash Rai (Tulu: ಪ್ರಕಾಶ್ ರೈ),a National Film Award-winning Indianmethod actor and producer in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, and Malayalam language films. He won the National Film Award for Best Actor in 2009 for his role in Kanchivaram,[2] a Tamil film directed by Priyadarshan[3] and won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1998 for the Mani Ratnam film Iruvar. As of 2011, he has acted in 264 Movies.
Early Life
Prakash Raj was born to a Tulu speaking Bunt family in Puttur (near Mangalore), Karnataka,on Mar 26,1965. He studied in St.Joseph’s Indian High School in Bangalore. He won the Scout award in 1982. He later joined St. Josephs College of commerce, Brigade road, Bangalore, where he participated in many plays, most of which were in Kannada .And also he is a talented actor
Film Career
He has acted in , Tamil, Hindi, Kannada, Telugu and Malayalam films. His original name ‘Prakash Rai’ in Kannada screen was rechristened to ‘Prakash Raj’ by K. Balachander for Prakash Raj’s debut movie ‘Duet’. His first major role was in the 1993 film Duet, directed by veteran director K. Balachander. He achieved fame through Tamil films, where he did most of his films.
Prakash Rai began his acting career with Kannada Doordarshan serials like Bisilu Kudure and Guddada Bhootha. He later took up small supporting roles in kannada films like Raamachari, Nishkarsha, Lockup Death etc. and was noticed for his dialogue delivery and histrionics. His breakthrough role came in form of Harakeya Kuri starring Vishnuvardhan and Geetha, directed by K S L Swamy. His performance in the movie was noticed by Geetha and she in turn introduced him to her mentor, the noted director K. Balachander a Tamil film director. Prakash Raj re-entered Kannada films with a bang through Nagamandala in 1997, directed by T.S. Nagabharana which was selected for Indian Panorama in the International Film Festival 1997.
Prakash Raj is a very famous actor in South India for a wide variety of roles he has performed, most notably as a villain in Tamil and Telugu and of late, as a character artiste. He is considered to be one of the most natural actors in the film industry, and has a good reputation for his acting skills. He is also the highest paid villain in Indian cinema. He was also a part of Mani Ratnam’s stage show, Netru, Indru, Naalai. In 1997, he acted in Mani Ratnam’s Iruvar. The movie was about the relationship between politicians M.G. Ramachandran and M. Karunanidhi, which he won the best supporting actor award,where he had a chance to act with the malayalam superstar and one of the most natural actors of Indian film industryMohanlal. One of Prakash Raj’s greatest hits was his role of Villain in Telugu film Okkadu, where he plays the role of factionist, a gangster who is in love with Bhoomika Chawla. AfterOkkadu, Prakash Raj was flooded with offers. The film was remade in Tamil as Ghilli. The same movie got remade in Kannada as Ajay starring Puneet Rajkumar. The versatile actor then co-starred with major stars and also acted in movies with newcomers. His 2007 production Mozhi, where he played an important role, was a box office hit and praised by critics proving that he can play a comedy role just as good as playing a negative character. Prakash Raj has already had four releases this year, all in which he plays a prominent role. He is acting in more than half a dozen films at the moment including his own production, Abhiyum Naanum.
His production venture in Tamil Mozhi, directed by Radhamohan, starring himself, Jyothika, Prithviraj and Swarnamalya was a blockbuster. He recently acted as a rich businessman inVenkat Prabhu’s second film Saroja, a box-office hit. His latest movie is Abiyum Naanum in Tamil. He made the same movie in Kannada as ‘Naanu Nanna Kanasu’ which was very well appreciated by kannada audience.
Awards
National Film Awards
- 2008 – Best Actor for the Tamil movie Kanchivaram.”. NDTV
- 2003 – Special Jury Mention for exemplary performance. “The Special Jury award (instituted for the first time it is said) goes to Prakash Raj for doing a commendable job in the 12 films (in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada) he had worked in, in the past one year”.
- 2002 – National Film Award for Best Actor (Special Jury) Dhaya(Tamil)
- 1999 – National Film Award for Best Actor (Special Jury) Anthahpuram(Telugu)
- 1998 – Best Supporting Actor for the Tamil Movie Iruvar.
Filmfare Awards
- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award (Telugu) – Nuvve Nuvve (2002)
- Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award (Telugu) – Tagore (2003)
- Filmfare Best Villain Award (Tamil) – Ghilli (2004)
- Filmfare Best Villain Award (Tamil) – Sivakasi (2005)
- Filmfare Best Actor Award (Tamil) – Kanchivaram (2009)
Nandi Awards
- Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor – Khadgam (2002)
- Nandi Award for Best Character Actor – Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi (2003)
- Nandi Award for Best Villain – Gangotri (2003)
- Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor – Bommarillu (2006)
Personal Life
Prakash divorced his first wife actress, Lalita Kumari. He married Pony Verma, a choreographer on August 24, 2010 in Punjabi style wedding. He has two daughters from his previous marriage, Meghna and Pooja.
Producer
Recently he took on the mantle of producer and has produced several movies in Tamil (Kollywood). Most of the movies he produced are box-office hits and also are critically acclaimed.[citation needed] His movies are generally acclaimed by the audience as good quality movies and are also considered as family entertainers. He produced the movie Dhaya in which he acted as the hero with actress Meena which was a hit and earned him a special jury award (a prestigious national award) for his performance. Also as a producer his selection of movies typically have natural storylines. His movie Poi (lie in English) which is directed by his mentor, veteran director K. Balachander, was a non grosser. It has Uday Kiran as the hero. Both the director (K. Balachander) and producer (Prakash Raj) acted in this movie as Good and Bad.
Prakash Raj had danced in a whole song for his film Vellithirai, a folk song named “Kanchi Paanaiyin Maela.”
His Last kannada production naanu nanna kanasu completed 100 days successfully across karanataka and his next production venture titled “AKASMAATH” is a remake of his Telugu hit “Aithe” and stars himself along with new actors.The movie is scheduled to go on floors September 2010 and is Directed by Dayal Padmanabhan.
Director
Prakash Raj has directed ‘Naanu Nanna Kanasu’ in Kannada (2010). This is the remake of his own production ‘Abhiyum Naanum’
Interview
A recent interview to a Telugu Satellite Channel he said he is Agnostic. He dubs for his characters in various languages he plays. He is well versed in Kannada, Telugu, Tulu, English,Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi . He considers K. Balachander as his guru and mentor.
Prakash Raj Profile
Prakash Raj |
Born |
Prakash Rai
March 26, 1965 (age 46)
Puttur, Karnataka, India |
Occupation |
Film actor, producer |
Years active |
1986-present |
Spouse |
Lalitha Kumari (1994-2009)
Pony Verma (2010-present) |
Prakash Raj Movies List
As Actor
Year |
Film |
Role |
Language |
Notes |
1988 |
Mithileya Seetheyaru |
|
Kannada |
|
1990 |
Muthina Haara |
|
Kannada |
|
1991 |
Ramachari |
|
Kannada |
|
1992 |
Chamatkara |
|
Kannada |
|
1993 |
Harikeya Kuri |
|
Kannada |
|
1994 |
Duet |
|
Tamil |
|
Nishkarsha |
|
Kannada |
|
Nila |
|
Tamil |
|
1995 |
Bombay |
Prakash |
Tamil |
|
Pulakuttikaran |
|
Tamil |
|
Aasai |
Madhavan |
Tamil |
|
Seethanam |
|
Tamil |
|
1996 |
Kalki |
Prakash |
Tamil |
Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain |
The Prince |
|
Malayalam |
|
Priyam |
|
Tamil |
|
Subhash |
|
Tamil |
|
Gunshot |
|
Telugu |
|
Vinodam |
|
Telugu |
|
Indraprastham |
Mohan George |
Malayalam |
|
Viswanath |
|
Tamil |
|
Poomani |
|
Tamil |
|
1997 |
Suswagatham |
Vasudeva Rao |
Telugu |
|
Hitler |
Prakash Raj |
Telugu |
|
Iruvar |
Tamilzhchelvan |
Tamil |
Winner, National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor |
Minsara Kanavu |
|
Tamil |
|
Aravindhan |
|
Tamil |
|
Oru Yatramozhi |
|
Malayalam |
|
Raasi |
|
Tamil |
|
Dhinamum Ennai Gavani |
|
Tamil |
|
V.I.P. |
|
Tamil |
|
Nandhini |
|
Tamil |
|
Nagamandala |
|
Kannada |
|
Nerruku Ner |
|
Tamil |
|
Pavithra Bandham |
|
Telugu |
|
Pathini |
|
Tamil |
|
Vidukadhai |
|
Tamil |
|
1998 |
Anthapuram |
Narasimham |
Telugu |
Winner, National Film Award for Best Actor (Special Jury) |
Santhosam |
|
Tamil |
|
Sornamugi |
|
Tamil |
|
Choodalani Vundi |
Mahendra |
Telugu |
|
Yaare Neenu Cheluve |
|
Kannada |
|
Sandhippoma |
|
Tamil |
|
Sollamalae |
|
Tamil |
|
Gurupaarvai |
Gurumurthy |
Tamil |
|
1999 |
Sneham Kosam |
Peddabbayi |
Telugu |
|
En Swaasa Kaatrae |
Guru |
Tamil |
|
Padayappa |
|
Tamil |
|
Veedu Samyudu Kaadu |
|
Telugu |
|
Rajakumarudu |
Dhanujay |
Telugu |
|
Premaku Velayera |
|
Telugu |
|
Seenu |
|
Telugu |
|
Rajasthan |
|
Tamil |
|
Preminchedi Endukamma |
Jagan |
Telugu |
|
Samudram |
Nukraju |
Telugu |
|
Z |
|
Kannada |
|
2000 |
Kshemamga Velli Labhamgaa Randi |
|
Telugu |
|
Sanchalanam |
|
Telugu |
|
Appu |
Maharani |
Tamil |
|
Badri |
Nanda |
Telugu |
|
Manoharam |
Srinivasamurthy |
Telugu |
|
Real Story |
|
Telugu |
|
Adavi Chukka |
|
Telugu |
|
Moodu Mukkalata |
Paramahamsa |
Telugu |
|
Chinna Chinna Kannile |
Sabesan |
Tamil |
|
Azad |
Salim |
Telugu |
|
Vaanavil |
Prakash |
Tamil |
Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain |
Bachi |
|
Telugu |
|
Chiru Navvato |
Pratap |
Telugu |
|
Tirumala Tirupathi Venkatesa |
|
Telugu |
|
2001 |
Mrugaraju |
|
Telugu |
|
Vanchinathan |
|
Tamil |
|
Murari |
|
Telugu |
Guest appearance |
Rishi |
|
Tamil |
|
Little John |
Kala Bhairava |
Tamil |
|
Dosth |
Neelakanda Bhramachari |
Tamil |
|
Ammai Kosam |
|
Telugu |
|
Bhalevadivi Basu |
|
Telugu |
|
Nuvvu Naaku Nachav |
Murthy |
Telugu |
|
Alli Thandha Vaanam |
|
Tamil |
|
Preethsod Thappa |
|
Kannada |
|
Sardukupodam Randi |
|
Telugu |
|
2002 |
Premaku Swagatham |
Mahendra |
Telugu |
|
Kannathil Muthamittal |
Wikramesinghe |
Tamil |
Winner, ITFA Best Supporting Actor Award |
Ekangi |
|
Kannada |
|
Dhaya |
Dhaya |
Tamil |
Winner, National Film Award for Best Actor (Special Jury) |
Hai |
|
Telugu |
|
Adrustam |
|
Telugu |
|
Indra |
Chenna Kesava Reddy |
Telugu |
|
Idiot |
Vipra Narayana |
Telugu |
|
Shakti – The Power |
|
Hindi |
|
Atithi |
|
Kannada |
|
Nuvve Nuvve |
Vishwanath |
Telugu |
Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Supporting Actor |
Bobby |
Yadagiri |
Telugu |
|
Kadhal Azhivathillai |
|
Tamil |
|
Khadgam |
Amjad Khan |
Telugu |
Winner, Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor |
I Love You Da |
|
Tamil |
|
Rifles |
|
Telugu |
|
2003 |
Chokkathangam |
Sundaram |
Tamil |
Nominated, Filmfare Best Tamil Supporting Actor Award |
Okkadu |
Obul Reddy |
Telugu |
Winner, Santosham Best Villain Award |
Juniors |
|
Telugu |
|
Fools |
|
Telugu |
|
Gangotri |
Neelakantha Naidu |
Telugu |
Winner, Nandi Award for Best Villain |
Dil |
|
Telugu |
|
Kadhal Sadugudu |
Chidambaram |
Tamil |
|
Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi |
|
Telugu |
Winner, Nandi Award for Best Character Actor |
Nijam |
|
Telugu |
|
Simhachalam |
Dora Swamy Raju |
Telugu |
|
Charminar |
Surendra Babu |
Telugu |
|
Tagore |
Suryam |
Telugu |
Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Supporting Actor |
Naam |
Irfan Khan |
Tamil |
|
Preeti Prema Pranaya |
|
Kannada |
|
Shivamani 9848022338 |
Dattu |
Telugu |
|
2004 |
Varsham |
Ranga Rao |
Telugu |
|
Lakshmi Narasimha |
Dharma Bhiksham |
Telugu |
|
Athade Oka Sainyam |
Prakash Rao |
Telugu |
|
Khakee |
ACP Naidu |
Hindi |
|
Thekkekara Super Fast |
Jonnykutty |
Malayalam |
|
Srinu Vasanti Lakshmi |
Appala Naidu |
Telugu |
|
Ghilli |
Muthu Pandi |
Tamil |
Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Villain |
Rakshak |
|
Telugu |
|
Samba |
Pasupathi Naidu |
Telugu |
|
Koduku |
|
Telugu |
|
Yagnam |
|
Telugu |
|
Sri Anjaneyam |
|
Telugu |
|
Bimba |
|
Kannada |
|
Shart: The Challenge |
Nandu |
Hindi |
|
Naa Autograph |
Prakash |
Telugu |
|
Intlo Srimati Veedhilo Kumari |
Sundara Murthy |
Telugu |
|
Vasool Raja MBBS |
Vishwanathan |
Tamil |
|
Azhagiya Theeye |
Aravind |
Tamil |
|
Arjun |
Bala |
Telugu |
|
Giri |
Suryaprakash |
Tamil |
|
M. Kumaran son of Mahalakshmi |
Eeshwar |
Tamil |
|
Konchem Touchlo Vunte Cheputanu |
|
Telugu |
|
Vidyarti |
|
Telugu |
|
Mass |
Durga Prasad |
Telugu |
|
2005 |
Ayya |
Karuppusamy |
Tamil |
|
Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana |
Prakash |
Telugu |
|
Dhana 51 |
|
Telugu |
|
Sankranthi |
|
Telugu |
|
Chakram |
|
Telugu |
|
Bunny |
Somaraju |
Telugu |
|
Subhash Chandra Bose |
Venkataraman |
Telugu |
|
Athanokkade |
|
Telugu |
|
Bhadra |
Surendra |
Telugu |
|
Amudhey |
Victor |
Tamil |
|
Arinthum Ariyamalum |
Aadhi Narayanan |
Tamil |
|
Andarivaadu |
Veerendra Singh |
Telugu |
|
Anniyan |
Prabhakar |
Tamil |
Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain |
Athadu |
Anjaneya Prasad |
Telugu |
|
Ponniyin Selvan |
Guru |
Tamil |
|
Pandipada |
Pandidurai |
Malayalam |
|
Political Rowdy |
|
Telugu |
|
Allari Pidugu |
|
Telugu |
|
Bhageeratha |
Venkata Ratnam |
Telugu |
|
Sivakasi |
Udhayappa |
Tamil |
Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Villain |
2006 |
Paramasivan |
Nandhakumar |
Tamil |
|
Aadhi |
|
Tamil |
|
Saravana |
Soundarapandi |
Tamil |
|
Idhaya Thirudan |
Mayilravanan |
Tamil |
|
Ajay |
|
Kannada |
|
Illalu Priyurala |
|
Telugu |
|
Pokiri |
Ali Bhai |
Telugu |
|
Veerabhadra |
|
Telugu |
|
Thalainagaram |
|
Tamil |
|
Parijatham |
Santhosh |
Tamil |
|
Vikramarkudu |
|
Telugu |
Guest appearance |
Ashok |
|
Telugu |
|
Bommarillu |
Aravind |
Telugu |
Winner, Nandi Award for Best Supporting Actor |
Aran |
|
Tamil |
|
Vettaiyaadu Vilaiyaadu |
Arokiyaraj |
Tamil |
|
Perarasu |
Elakkyam |
Tamil |
|
Stalin |
Muddu Krishniah |
Telugu |
|
Vathiyar |
Easwara Pandian |
Tamil |
|
Sainikudu |
Mondi Nani |
Telugu |
|
Khatarnak |
|
Telugu |
|
Thiruvilayadal Arambam |
Guru |
Tamil |
|
Rakhi |
|
Telugu |
Guest appearance |
Poi |
Vidhi |
Tamil |
|
2007 |
Pokkiri |
Ali Bhai |
Tamil |
Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Villain |
Lee |
Puthiran |
Tamil |
|
Mozhi |
Vijayakumar |
Tamil |
Winner, Vijay Award for Best Supporting Actor |
Vyapari |
|
Tamil |
|
Aadivaram Adavallaku Selavu |
|
Telugu |
Guest appearance |
Jagadam |
|
Telugu |
Guest appearance |
Munna |
Kakha |
Telugu |
|
Veerappu |
Vedhukannu |
Tamil |
|
Arya |
Kasi |
Tamil |
|
Chirutha |
Karthikeya |
Telugu |
|
Kanna |
Raghunath |
Tamil |
|
2008 |
Bheema |
Chinna |
Tamil |
|
Velli Thirai |
Kanniah |
Tamil |
|
Jalsa |
Ram Mohan Reddy |
Telugu |
|
Santosh Subramaniam |
Subramaniam |
Tamil |
|
Arai En 305-il Kadavul |
Kadavul |
Tamil |
|
Kantri |
Pothu Raju |
Telugu |
|
Parugu |
Neelakanta |
Telugu |
|
Saroja |
Vishwanath |
Tamil |
|
Rainbow |
|
Telugu |
|
Ali Baba |
Subramaniam |
Tamil |
|
Pandhayam |
Masanam |
Tamil |
|
Kotha Bangaru Lokam |
|
Telugu |
Nominated, Filmfare Award for Best Telugu Supporting Actor |
Kanchivaram |
Vengadam |
Tamil |
Winner, National Film Award for Best Actor
Winner, Filmfare Best Tamil Actor Award (2009)[1]
Winner, Vijay Award for Best Actor |
Abhiyum Naanum |
Reghuram |
Tamil |
Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Character Artiste (Male)
Nominated, Filmfare Best Tamil Supporting Actor Award |
Sivamayam |
|
Tamil |
|
Panchamirtham |
Raavana |
Tamil |
|
2009 |
Villu |
J. D. |
Tamil |
|
Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam |
Prakash |
Telugu |
|
Thoranai |
Thamizharasu |
Tamil |
|
Malai Malai |
Essaki |
Tamil |
|
Anjaneyulu |
|
Telugu |
Guest appearance |
Josh |
|
Telugu |
|
Wanted |
Gani Bhai |
Hindi |
|
Solla Solla Inikkum |
Bhadri Narayanan |
Tamil |
|
Mathiya Chennai |
|
Tamil |
Guest appearance |
Katha |
|
Telugu |
|
2010 |
Theeratha Vilaiyatu Pillai |
Anbazhagan |
Tamil |
Guest appearance |
Janani |
|
Kannada |
|
Varudu |
|
Telugu |
|
Naanu Nanna Kanasu |
Raj Uthappa |
Kannada |
Also director |
Singam |
Mayil Vaaganam |
Tamil |
|
Hoo |
Michael |
Kannada |
|
Kadhalagi |
AK |
Tamil |
Guest appearance |
Kaleja |
GK |
Telugu |
|
Brindaavanam |
Bhanuprasad |
Telugu |
|
Anwar |
Stalin Manimaran |
Malayalam |
|
Collector Gaari Bharya |
Gautham |
Telugu |
|
Magizhchi |
|
Tamil |
Guest appearance |
Orange |
|
Telugu |
|
Chutti Chatthan |
|
Tamil |
|
2011 |
Mirapakaay |
Kittu |
Telugu |
|
Payanam |
Vishwanath |
Tamil |
|
Gaganam |
Telugu |
|
Vastadu Naa Raju |
Narasimha |
|
|
Elektra |
|
Malayalam |
Post-production |
Rajadhani |
|
Kannada |
Post-production |
Ko |
|
Tamil |
Post-production |
Vaanam |
|
Tamil |
Post-production |
Dhool |
|
Kannada |
Post-production |
Kalavadiya Pozhudugal |
|
Tamil |
Post-production |
Malaiyoor Mambattiyaan |
|
Tamil |
Post-production |
Prarthane |
|
Kannada |
Filming |
Uma Maheshwaram |
|
Tamil |
Filming |
Dongala Mutha |
|
Telugu |
Filming |
Kulasekaranum Koolipadaiyum |
|
Tamil |
Filming |
Puttakkana Highway |
|
Kannada |
Filming |
Badhrinaadh |
|
Telugu |
Filming |
Dookudu |
|
Telugu |
Filming |
Rowthiram |
|
Tamil |
Filming |
Sethu Samudhiram |
|
Tamil |
Filming |
Jhansi IPS |
|
Kannada |
Filming |
Wanted |
|
Telugu |
Filming |
Vidiyum Varai Kathiru |
|
Tamil |
Filming |
Ponnar Shankar |
|
Tamil |
Filming |
Venghai |
|
Tamil |
Filming |
Mr. Perfect |
|
Telugu |
Filming |
Singam |
|
Hindi |
Pre-production |
Kurchi |
|
Telugu |
Pre-production |
Narkali |
Tamil |
Pre-production |
Pulan Visaranai II |
|
Tamil |
Delayed |
|
Zamaanat |
Hindi |
Delayed |
|
Television
Year |
Serial |
Role |
Language |
1986/87 |
Bisilu Kudure |
|
Kannada |
|
Guddada Bhoota |
|
Kannada |
1987 |
Namma Nammalli |
|
Kannada |
|
Aasegalu Nooraru |
|
Kannada |
|
Kaiyalavu Manasu |
Gururengam |
Tamil |
|
Sahana |
|
Tamil |
As Producer
Year |
Film |
Notes |
Language |
1999 |
Andhappuram |
|
|
2002 |
Dhaya |
|
Tamil |
2003 |
Naam |
|
|
2004 |
Azhagiya Theeye |
|
Tamil |
2005 |
Kanda Naal Mudhal |
|
Tamil |
2006 |
Poi |
|
Tamil |
2007 |
Mozhi |
|
Tamil |
2008 |
Velli Thirai |
|
Tamil |
2008 |
Abhiyum Naanum |
|
Tamil |
2009 |
Inidhu Inidhu |
|
Tamil |
2009 |
Mayilu |
Filming |
|
2011 |
Payanam |
Released |
Tamil |
2011 |
Akasmath (film) |
Pre-production |
Kannada |
As Director
Year |
Film |
Notes |
2010 |
Naanu Nanna Kanasu |
Released |