Prakash Raj





Prakash Rai/Prakash Raj
Born Prakash Rai/Prakash Raj
March 26, 1965 (1965-03-26) (age 45)
Mangalore, Karnataka, India
Occupation Film actor, producer
Years active 1986-present
Spouse(s) Lalitha Kumari (1994-2009)[1]

Prakash Raj (Kannada/Tulu: ಪ್ರಕಾಶ್ ರೈ), originally Prakash Rai, is a National Film Award-winning Indian method actor and producer in Kannada, Telugu, Malayalam and Tamil 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.


Early life

Prakash Rai was born to a Tuluva 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 President's 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.

Film career

He has acted in Kannada,Telugu, Tamil, Malayalam, and Hindi films. His original name 'Prakash Rai' in Kannada screen was rechristened to 'Prakash Raj' by K. Balachander for Prakash Raj's debut movie 'Duet'.

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 and 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. 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 Rai is a very famous actor in South India for a wide variety of roles he has performed, most notably as a villain in Teluguand 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, alongside Superstar Mohanlal. The movie was about the relationship between politicians M.G. Ramachandran and M. Karunanidhi, which he won the best supporting actor award alongside Mohanlal, who won the best actor award.

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. After Okkadu, 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 in Venkat 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. Unfortunately, he has been banned from Telugu Film Awards

  • 2008 - Best Actor for the Tamil movie Kanchivaram.".[2] 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".[2]
  • 1998 - Best Supporting Actor for the Tamil Movie Iruvar.[4]
  • 2010 -Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut -Wanted

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."

Director

Prakash Raj has directed 'Naanu Nanna Kanasu' in Kannada (2010). This is the remake of his own production 'Abhiyum Naanum' .[5]

Interview

A recent interview to a Tamil 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, and Tamil . He considers K. Balachander as his guru and mentor.

As actor

Year Film Role Language Notes
1990 Muthina Haara
Kannada
1991 Ramachari
Kannada
1993 Harikeya Kuri
Kannada
1994 Duet
Tamil
Nishkarsha
Kannada

Nila
Tamil
1995 Bombay
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
Indraprastham Mohan George Malayalam
Viswanath
Tamil
Poomani
Tamil
1997 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
Pathini
Tamil
Vidukadhai
Tamil
1998 Santhosam
Tamil
Sornamugi
Tamil
Choodalani Vundi
Telugu
Yaare Neenu Cheluve
Kannada
Sandhippoma
Tamil
Sollamalae
Tamil
Gurupaarvai Gurumurthy Tamil
1999 Sneham Kosam
Telugu
En Swaasa Kaatrae Guru Tamil
Padayappa
Tamil
Rajasthan
Tamil
Z
Kannada
2000 Appu Maharani Tamil
Chinna Chinna Kannile Sabesan Tamil
Vaanavil Prakash Tamil Winner, Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain
2001 Vanchinathan
Tamil
Rishi
Tamil
Little John Kala Bhairava Tamil
Dosth Neelakanda Bhramachari Tamil
Badri Nandha Telugu
Alli Thandha Vaanam
Tamil
Preethsod Thappa
Kannada
2002 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
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 Daa
Tamil
2003 Chokkathangam Sundaram Tamil
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
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
Khakee ACP Naidu Hindi
Thekkekara Super Fast Jonnykutty Malayalam
Ghilli Muthu Pandi Tamil Winner, Filmfare Award for Best Tamil Villain
Rakshak
Telugu
Samba Pasupathi Naidu Telugu
Yagnam
Telugu
Sri Anjaneyam
Telugu
Bimba
Kannada
Shart: The Challenge Nandu Hindi
Naa Autograph Prakash 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
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
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
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
Varudu
Telugu
Naanu Nanna Kanasu Raj Uthappa Kannada Also director
Singam Mayil Vaaganam Tamil
Hoo
Kannada
Kadhalagi AK Tamil Guest appearance
Dhool
Kannada Filming
Kalavadiya Pozhudugal
Tamil Filming
Kotta Bandham
Telugu Filming
Kulasekaranum Koolipadaiyum
Tamil Filming
Magizhchi
Tamil Guest appearance
Filming
Anwar
Malayalam Filming
Elektra
Malayalam Filming
Kaleja
Telugu Filming
Vaanam
Tamil Filming
Payanangal
Tamil
Telugu
Filming
Vidiyum Varai Kathiru
Tamil Filming
Malaiyoor Mambattiyaan
Tamil Filming
Brindavanam
Telugu Filming
Pulan Visaranai II
Tamil Delayed
Zamaanat
Hindi Delayed
Rajadhani
Kannada Upcoming

Telugu

Year Film Role Notes
2001 Nuvvu Naaku Nachav Nandini's dad
Murari
Cameo Appearance
Mruga Raju

Bhalevadivi Basu

Sadduku Podam Randi Soundarya's Realative
2000 Sanchalanam

Azad Inspector Salim
Badri Nanda
Adavi Chukka Baba
Real Story

Manoharam Srinivasamurthy
Mudu Mukkalata

1999 Avide Shyamala
aka Kshemamga Velli Labhamgaa Randi
Raja Kumarudu Dhanunjay/Dhanraj
Anthah Puram Narasimham
Samudram Havaldar Lokraj Verma
Seenu

Sneham Kosam Peddabbayi
Veedu Samanyudu Kadu

Premaku Velayaraa

Chirunavu Tho

1998 Choodalani Vundi Mahendra
1997 Hitler

Suswagatham Vasudeva Rao
1996 Vinodam

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

References

  1. ^ The film was considered a 2009 film by the Filmfare Jury and gained nominations for the 2009 South Filmfare Awards, since it had a nationwide release in India in 2009 only.

[edit] As producer

Year Film Notes

Andhapuram
2002 Dhaya

Naam
2004 Azhagiya Theeye
2005 Kanda Naal Mudhal
2006 Poi
2007 Mozhi
2008 Velli Thirai
2008 Abhiyum Naanum
2009 Inidhu Inidhu Post-production
2009 Mayilu Filming
2010 Payanam Filming

As Director

Year Film Notes
2010 Naanu Nanna Kanasu Released

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