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Nagendra Prasad

S. Nagendra PrasadS.Nagendra Prasad

Nagendra Prasad is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Nagendra Prasad began their career in 1995 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 31 years. With 30 credits to their name, Nagendra Prasad remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Spanning 30+ years, Nagendra Prasad's career remains one of the longest and most celebrated in Tamil cinema.

Born
Age
50
30+Known Credits
4.1Avg Rating
veteranCareer Phase

Biography

Nagendra Prasad Sundaram is a Tamil cinema actor, dance choreographer, and director, best known as the younger brother of Prabhu Deva and Raju Sundaram and the son of dance master Mugur Sundar. He has appeared in commercially successful Tamil films including Jeans (1998), Ghilli (2004), Bogan (2017), and Master (2021), often in supporting roles. He notably played Inspector Prasad in Bogan, a supernatural thriller directed by Lakshman K. Krishna starring Jayam Ravi and Arvind Swamy, and appeared in the iconic 'Humma Humma' song sequence from the film Bombay. A multi-hyphenate from a family deeply rooted in South Indian film and dance, he made his lead acting debut in the Kannada film Chitra.

Career Milestones

2001

Film debut as lead actor

2002

Breakthrough role in bilingual romantic comedy

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2004

Supporting role in blockbuster action film alongside Vijay

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2017

Continued career with notable supporting role

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2021

Appearance in major Tamil action film

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Iconic Roles

Chidambaram (Mute)2002

123

Played one of three physically impaired friends — a mute character — alongside real-life brothers Prabhu Deva (blind) and Raju Sundaram (deaf). The casting of all three brothers as differently disabled characters is widely cited as a memorable film trivia highlight.

Prasad2004

Ghilli

Supporting friend role in this blockbuster Vijay-starrer directed by Dharani; Nagendra Prasad also choreographed for the film, making it a dual contribution widely noted by fans.

Inspector Prasad2017

Bogan

Played a police inspector role in this supernatural thriller, one of his more notable character parts in later Tamil cinema.

Defining Moments

1995

Dance performance in the 'Humma Humma' song sequence alongside Sonali Bendre

His most widely cited and iconic moment in Tamil cinema — as youngest brother of Prabhu Deva and Raju Sundaram, his appearance in this landmark A.R. Rahman song became a defining pop-culture touchstone of 1990s Tamil film, showcasing the family's dance lineage and launching his visibility to mainstream audiences

2002

Lead role in the bilingual romantic comedy opposite Jyothika in a mistaken-identity love story

Considered his breakthrough recognition as a lead actor, this role demonstrated his ability to carry a full film and is frequently cited as the peak of his starring career, moving him beyond supporting/dance roles into the mainstream

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2004

Supporting role as Prasad, the hero's friend, in Vijay's blockbuster action film

Appearing in one of the biggest Tamil blockbusters of the 2000s cemented his reputation as a reliable supporting presence in major productions; Ghilli remains a cult classic and his association with it keeps him in public memory

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2017

Playing Inspector Prasad in the supernatural thriller alongside Jayam Ravi and Arvind Swamy

His role as Inspector Prasad in this high-profile supernatural thriller brought him renewed attention in a later career phase, earning notice for his presence in a commercially successful and critically discussed film

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2020

Supporting role in Thalapathy Vijay's pan-India action film

His presence in this massive Vijay-starrer, one of the highest-grossing Tamil films of its era, affirmed his continued relevance in the industry across a career spanning over two decades

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The Numbers

Nagendra Prasad by the Numbers

Total Films0
Back-to-back Watch0 day+ 8h
Hit Ratio0%
Yrs Active0
Versatility0/10
Biggest CollaborationVijay3 films together

If you watched every Nagendra Prasad film back-to-back, you'd be at it for roughly 1 day and 8h. Most-paired with Vijay — 3 films together.

Collaboration Network

Collaboration Network

The Constellation

Top 10 most-paired collaborators. Bubble size and line thickness reflect how many films they share with Nagendra Prasad.

Nagendra Prasadnfilms togetherSee full filmography →

Career Analytics

Genre Breakdown

Crime
50%
Action
25%
Thriller
25%

Language Distribution

Tamil
93%
Telugu
7%

Films by Decade

3
1990s
6
2000s
3
2010s
2
2020s

Top Co-Actors

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Nagendra Prasad has worked most frequently with Vijay (3 films), Nassar (3 films), Janaki Sabesh (3 films), Prakash Raj (2 films), and Arvind Swamy (2 films).

Vijay
VijayActor
Frequent Co-Stars3 films
Nassar
NassarActor
Frequent Co-Stars3 films
Senthil
SenthilActor
Frequent Co-Stars2 films
Pandu
PanduActor
Frequent Co-Stars2 films
Prashanth
PrashanthActor
Frequent Co-Stars2 films
Mumtaj
MumtajActor
Frequent Co-Stars2 films

Legacy & Influence

Nagendra Prasad is a respected character actor in Tamil cinema, known for his reliable and often comedic supporting roles across several decades. His career trajectory showcases a journey through the evolving landscape of South Indian film, from the late 1990s to the present day. While not a leading star, his consistent presence has added texture and familiarity to numerous productions. His contribution lies in his ability to embody specific character archetypes—often the loyal friend, the humorous sidekick, or the relatable everyman—with a natural ease that resonates with audiences. A significant phase of his career was marked by collaborations in the early 2000s, notably with actor Vijay in films like 'Ghilli' (2004) and 'Thirumalai' (2003), where his roles became particularly recognizable. In 'Ghilli', his portrayal of Prasad, the protagonist's supportive friend, became a memorable part of the film's popular fabric. Decades later, his appearance in the blockbuster 'Master' (2020) demonstrated his enduring connection to the industry and its audiences, bridging different eras of Tamil cinema. His filmography, including roles in 'Jeans' (1998), '123' (2002), and 'Bogan' (2017), reflects a steady working actor who has adapted to changing cinematic styles while maintaining his core screen persona. Prasad's impact is subtle yet meaningful; he represents the essential backbone of ensemble casts, providing comic relief, emotional support, and grounding narratives without overshadowing the central plot. His longevity and the audience's recognition of his face and name speak to a quiet, sustained contribution to the ecosystem of Tamil cinema, where character actors like him play a crucial role in building the world of a film and enhancing its relatability.

Frequently Asked Questions