Prakash Raj
Prakash Raj is an Indian actor, best known for Tamil cinema. Prakash Raj began their career in 1997 and has been a prominent figure in the industry for over 29 years. With over 330 credits to their name and an average audience rating of 6.6, Prakash Raj remains one of the most prolific and celebrated talents in the industry. Prakash Raj's influence on Tamil cinema is generational — their work continues to define the standard for the industry.
- Born
Biography
Prakash Raj is an Indian film actor, film director, producer and television presenter who mainly works in the South Indian film industry. He acted in back-to-back stage shows for INR300 a month in the initial stages of his career when he joined Kalakshetra, Bengaluru, and he has 2,000 street theatre performances to his credit.\r\n\r\nAfter working in the Kannada television industry and Kannada cinema for a few years, he made his debut in Tamil cinema through Duet (1994) by K. Balachander and has since been a commercially successful film star in Tamil. In remembrance, he named his production company Duet Movies. Prakash has also worked in a number of Bollywood films.\r\nApart from his mother tongue Kannada, Prakash's fluency in Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Marathi, Hindi and English has placed him among the most sought after actors in Indian cinema.\r\n\r\nHe has played a variety of roles, most notably as the antagonist and, of late, as a character actor. Prakash, as an actor has won a National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor in 1998 for Mani Ratnam's Iruvar and a National Film Award for Best Actor in 2009 for his role in Kanchivaram, a Tamil film directed by Priyadarshan, and as a producer has won a National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Kannada for Puttakkana Highway directed by his long-time theatre friend B. Suresh in 2011. Prakash was also the host of Neengalum Vellalam Oru Kodi during the shows second season.
Personal Info
Career Milestones
Film debut
View film →50th film
View film →100th film
View film →150th film
View film →200th film
View film →250th film
View film →Highest rated: Sita Ramam (8.3)
View film →Iconic Roles
Kanchivaram
A poignant portrayal of a silk weaver in pre-independence India, earning him a National Film Award.
Iruvar
A powerful performance as a political figure in Mani Ratnam's critically acclaimed film.
Kannathil Muthamittal
A memorable role as a Sri Lankan Tamil militant in another Mani Ratnam classic.
Defining Moments
Breakthrough in 'Iruvar'
His critically acclaimed performance in Mani Ratnam's 'Iruvar' established him as a serious actor in Tamil cinema.
Debut as Producer
Founded his production house 'Duet Movies' and produced the successful film 'Naanu Nanna Kanasu' in Kannada.
National Award for 'Kanchivaram'
Won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his leading role in the period drama 'Kanchivaram'.
Filmography
See all 330 credits →
Career Analytics
Genre Breakdown
Language Distribution
Films by Decade
Top Co-Actors
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Did You Know?
Prakash Raj is a five-time National Film Award winner, receiving awards for his performances in films like 'Iruvar' and 'Kanchivaram'.
He is a polyglot, acting in Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films.
He founded the production company 'Duet Movies' and has produced several successful films.
He is known for his powerful portrayals of antagonists, especially in Telugu and Tamil cinema.
He is an active television presenter, having hosted the Tamil reality show 'Naalaya Iyakkunar'.
Signature Dialogues
Naan solrathaiye seiven. Adhu dhan enakku periya aasthiram.
Police Commissioner·Pokkiri
Idhu dhan unga logic-a? Naan oru thadava sonnen, neenga oru thadava ketta, aprom enna logic?
Mayil Vaaganam·Singam
Photos
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News & Stories
Prakash Raj ventures as director to Bollywood
5/4/2016
Prakash Raj becomes father again at 50 !!
3/2/2016
Prakash Raj takes down Sarathkumar in the interest of Nadigar Sangam
28/9/2015
Prakash Raj adopts Telangana village
8/9/2015
Prakash Raj with Priyadarshan - Crew getting ready
7/7/2015
Legacy & Influence
Prakash Raj is a towering figure in Indian cinema, renowned for his exceptional versatility and powerful screen presence across multiple languages, primarily Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi. His career trajectory is a testament to his artistic dedication, beginning with humble roots in Kannada theatre and television before his breakthrough in Tamil cinema with character roles that showcased his remarkable depth. He rose to prominence by mastering the portrayal of complex antagonists, bringing a chilling credibility and psychological nuance to villainous roles that redefined the archetype in South Indian films during the late 1990s and 2000s. However, his true contribution lies in his refusal to be typecast. Prakash Raj has delivered equally compelling performances in sympathetic, comic, and tragic roles, proving his mastery over a vast emotional spectrum. His work in critically acclaimed films like 'Iruvar', 'Kannathil Muthamittal', and the National Award-winning 'Kanchivaram' demonstrates his commitment to substantive, art-house cinema alongside commercial projects. As a producer and director, primarily in Kannada and Telugu, he has championed meaningful storytelling. His production house has backed films with strong social messages, further solidifying his role as a serious creative force beyond acting. His fluency in multiple Indian languages and consistent high-caliber work have made him a rare pan-Indian character actor long before the term became commonplace, bridging cinematic cultures and earning the respect of audiences and critics nationwide. Prakash Raj's legacy is that of an actor's actor—a performer who elevates every narrative with his impeccable craft, integrity, and unwavering dedication to the art of cinema.