Prakash Raj

Prakash Raj is a multi faceted talented, national award winning actor who marked his presence in all the film industries like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam and Hindi. Prakash Raj used to be a prominent face of the Kannada film industry, but he did not get much success there. The versatile actor got the name and fame after entering into the Tamil film industry with the film 'Duet'.

Prakash Raj was born as Prakash Rai on 26th March 1965 in Puttur, Karnataka. He hails from an ethnic Bunt family. Prakash did schooling from the prestigious St. Joseph's High School in Bengaluru. After finishing school education, he went to St. Joseph's College of Commerce to pursue his graduation. During his college days, he started participating in many plays.

Prakash Raj commenced his acting journey by acting in Kannada serials like 'Bisilu Kudure' and 'Guddada Bhootha'. After receiving some experience of the industry, he started doing supporting roles in Kannada films. Some of the Kannada films in which Prakash Raj was seen in supporting roles are 'Lockup Death', 'Nishkarsha' and 'Raamachari'. He got his first breakthrough in K.S.L. Swamy's film 'Harakeya Kuri' with Vishnuvardhan and Geetha. Geetha got very influenced with the acting talent of Prakash and hence she introduced Prakash to K. Balachandra who was a famous Tamil film director and Geetha's mentor. Prakash initially used to appear as Prakash Rai but then K. Balachandra modified his name as Prakash Raj for his film 'Duet' which went on to become successful at the box office.

In 1997, Prakash Raj made his comeback to Kannada films with T. S. Nagabharana's movie 'Nagamandala'. He also played a key role in various stage shows like Netru, Nalaai, Indru etc, by Mani Ratnam. In 1997, he played a key role in Mani Ratnam's blockbuster film 'Iruvar'. The film was a biopic which was inspired by the real life relationship of two famous politicians M. Karunanidhi and M. G. Ramachandran.

Prakash Raj gained a lot of publicity and critical appreciation with the film 'Okkadu'. After this film, Prakash Raj got flooded with various film offers. The film 'Okkadu' got remade in various languages like Kannada and Tamil. The versatile actor also got into the limelight after performing well in the film 'Mozhi' which was directed by Raja Mohan. The film went on to become a huge success at the box office. Later, he was seen in 'Saroja' by Venkat Prabhu.

Prakash Raj later went on to become a successful producer as well. He produced mostly Tamil films which proved to be hit at the box office. Prakash Raj's films are considered as pure family entertainers. He produced and essayed a lead role in the film 'Dhaya' which was a superhit film. Prakash Raj received a special jury award for this film. But his next film 'Poi' could not do much at the box office. Prakash Raj has produced films like , 'Naanu Nanna Kanasu' , 'Akasmaath' and 'Puttakkana Highway'. The film 'Naanu Nanna Kanasu' was directed by Prakash Raj. His production venture 'Puttakkana Highway' was received the National award for best feature film in Kannada in 2011. His recent venture was 'Dhoni' which was a bilingual film. The film was named after the Indian Cricket Team Captain , Mahendra Singh Dhoni.

The talented actor ventured in the Hindi film industry through the film 'Khakee'. He played a role of ACP Naidu in this film. Later he was seen as Nandu in 'Shart - The Challenge'. In 2009, he was seen in Salman Khan starer 'Wanted' as Gani Bhai. The film was a blockbuster hit. Later, Prakash Raj essayed a role of Kabir Bhai in 'Bbuddah - Hoga Terra Baap' with Amitabh Bachchan. The talented actor enlivened the role Jaikant Shikre in Ajay Devgn starer 'Singham'.

Prakash Raj was later seen as Thakur Bachcha in Salman Khan's 'Dabangg 2'. He was also seen as Shetty in 'Mumbai Mirror'. The talented actor is currently busy with many of his south Indian projects. He will showcase his acting talent in the upcoming Bollywood flicks like 'Zanjeer' , 'Singh Sahab The Great' and in an untitled rom-com directed by himself.

The talented actor has won several prestigious awards for his outstanding performances in the south Indian and Hindi films. He has received the Filmfare South Awards for many times. The actor got many nominations and awards for the best negative role in the film 'Singham'. The actor has won the International Tamil Film Award , Nani Award, National Film Award, Santosham Film Award, Tamil Nadu State Film award, the prestigious Vijay Award, three CineMAA Best Supporting Actor Awards, for numerous times. He has also got the South Indian International Movie Award and International Indian Film Academy Award for his outstanding performances in the films.

The actor tied a knot with actress Lalitha Kumari in 1994. The couple had three children, one son named Sidhu and two daughters named Pooja and Meghana. Their son Sidhu passed away in 2004 sustaining in a fall. After that the couple got a divorce in 2009. Prakash Raj then remarried choreographer Pony Verma in 2010.