Three-time National award winner multi-lingual actor Prakash Raj is on bouquet gathering spree in Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. For bagging National “best actor” award.
Although Prakash Raj won the “best actor award” of the National Film Awards for 2007 for his performance in the Tamil film “Kanchivaram”, announced last month, he is popular in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh too.
Prakash Raj had earlier won the “best supporting actor” award for his film “Iruvar” (Directed by Mani Ratnam) in 1998 and a “special jury award” (instituted for the first time, it is said) in 2003, for his doing a commendable job in 12 films in Tamil, Telugu and Kannada in one year.
“Kanchivaram” was also chosen as the “best film” for 2007 from among about 102 films and 106 non-feature films considered. Directed by Priyadarshan, the film depicts the lives and times of silk-weavers of Kancheepuram in pre-Independent India.
The actor said when he heard about the story, the role he was asked to play left him shaken, and stirred him up, too. "When Priyadrashan narrated the story, I simply walked out. My hands were trembling, I was in tears. I needed a cup of coffee to return to my composure.” Then he called him and blasted him for keeping the story to himself for 12 long years, said Prakash.
The actor immediately grabbed the role for he loved to play the role so much that he refused to accept any money for the film. He recalled that it was a painful role. It has paid a rich dividend in the form of highest honour.
"Personally, I drifted into nostalgia, thinking of my marriage (it was on the rock, trouble starting at that point of time), and my daughter's birth," he said, adding, "It was mind blowing professionally as well, since I had to unlearn all that I had to learnt as an actor." He came out with the performance in between hot and cold.
The Best Actor Award, according to him, is the faith in "good cinema" that “Kanchivaram” has infused in "all of us, both film-makers and fans."
Actor Prakash Raj has acted in Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu, and Hindi films.
He is currently the darling of Tamil cinema. His leery ‘Chellam' ( an endearment) tone in the Tamil film “Ghilli” is enough to set off hysteria among his fans even today, even five years after the film's release. You find people addressing ‘chellam’ the near and dear ones.
Villain, character actor, and now a tragic-hero in “Kanchivaram,” Prakash Raj never misses a chance to pay his reverence to his mentor director K Balachander, who introduced him to Tamil cinema, in “Duet.”
Re-christened by Balachander
Born Prakash Rai, and also known in Kannada screen as such, he was rechristened as Prakash Raj by K. Balachander, for his Tamil movie “Duet.” It really clicked well.
Prakash Raj’s mother tongue is Kannada. His acting career began with Kannada serials, like “Bisilu Kudure” and “Guddada Bhootha.” He later took up small supporting roles in Kannada films, like “Raamachari,” etc.
Prakash Raj’s breakthrough role came in form of “Harakeya Kuri” starring Vishnuvardhan and Geetha.
His performance in the movie was noticed by Geetha and she in turn introduced Prakash Raj to the Tamil films. His transformation as a character actor in recent years, in films like “Santhosh Subramaniam” and “Abhiyum Naanum” raised his talent bar. Prakash's talent factor skyrocketed with his comic capers in “Mozhi,” a film which he also produced. His role as “Vengadam” like the mountain it peaked his popularity.
Prakash Raj made his debut with ‘Duet’ and continued performing negative roles in more films. Later, he got through a big break of performing prominent roles and gradually as a hero.
His first production was ‘Naam’ that didn’t witness good business and later he succeeded with ‘Azhagiya Theeye’ and ‘Kanda Naal Mudhal’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. Both the director (K. Balachander) and producer (Prakash Raj) acted in this movie as Good and Bad.
Now he is also very busy as a producer for his 3 forthcoming films. Prakash Raj had danced in a whole song for his film “Vellithirai,” a folk song named "Kanchi Paanaiyin Maela."
Considered to be one of the most natural actors in the film industry, he 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 Malayalam 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.”
“Okkadu” makes a turning point
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” in Tamil.. The same movie got remade in Kannada as “Ajay”. 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 Nanum” in Kannada.
Prakash Raj is directing the Kannada version of “Abhiyum Naanum.” Radha Mohan directed the Tamil “Abhiyum Naanum” which had Prakash Raj and Trisha in the cast. The mantle of producer and director also fell on him.
Prakash Raj is producing, directing and acting in this film. This is the first film he is directing. Divya is acting in the role which Trisha did in Tamil. The shooting of the film will commence during the month of November. The title and other details have not been finalized.
He re-entered Kannada films with a bang through “Nagamandala” in 1997, directed by the award winning director T.S Nagabharana and continues to act in a number of Kannada movies every year.
Prakash Raj was born in 1965 in Mangalore, Karnataka. He is well versed in Kannada, Tamil, Malayalam, English and Telugu. He got married to Lalithakumari, an actress (Sister of Disco Shanthi) and gave birth to 3 children (one male child dead). After his marriage with her, dame luck smiled on him; films started streaming towards him. (But they are parting ways, unfortunately. The divorce case in the Family court in Chennai).
Recalling his beginning, he said: “I was never interested in studying; whenever I was told off at school, I would come to Ravindra Kalakshetra and sit here,” he said.
Adding that theatre was one of the reasons he joined college in Bangalore, he said that he began acting with the group Abhinaya Taranga with A.S. Murthy and Vijayamma. “I am not being melodramatic. I truly dedicate my National Award to all those in the theatre,” said Prakash Raj at a function in Bangalore honouring him for the recent award.
Prakash Rai (his name before) studied in St.Joseph's High School in Bangalore. He won the President's Scout award in 1982. At school he was well known for his talents which brought him and the schools numerous honours, he was also an active member and a good leader. He later joined St. Josephs College of commerce, Brigade road, Bangalore, where he participated in many plays, most of which were in Kannada. He was also good at debates.
"He was simply brilliant," says his mentor K. Balachander. "Nothing about Prakash Raj comes as a surprise, but his performance in “Kanchivaram” leaves us with not enough adjectives," says K R G, president, South Indian Film Chamber of Commerce.
- Asian Tribune -
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