Actor
Prakash Raj
Based In
Bengaluru, India
Origin
Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Years Active
1988 – Present
Prakash Raj Biography
Prakash Raj Basic Information
- Full Name: Prakash Rai (later changed to Prakash Raj)
- Nick Name: Prakash Raj
- Date of Birth: March 26, 1965
- Age Range: Around 60 years (as of 2025)
- Birthplace: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
- Nationality: Indian
- Religion: Hindu (later became atheist)
- Zodiac Sign: Aries
Physical Appearance
- Height: Approx. 5 feet 9 inches (175 cm)
- Weight: Approx. 75 kg
- Eye Color: Dark Brown
- Hair Color: Black (now salt & pepper)
Family Details
- Father: Manjunath Rai
- Mother: Swarnalatha
- Brother: Prasad Rai
- First Wife: Lalitha Kumari (Divorced)
- Second Wife: Pony Verma
Children:
- Meghana Raj (Daughter)
- Pooja Raj (Daughter)
- Sidhu (Son, deceased)
- Vedant (Son)
Education
- Schooling: St. Joseph’s Boys’ High School, Bengaluru
- College: St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru
- Qualification: Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
Career Highlight
| Year | Career Highlight / Achievement |
|---|---|
| 1988 | Film debut with Mithileya Seetheyaru (Kannada) |
| 1994 | Breakthrough in Tamil cinema with Duet |
| 1995 | Gained recognition with Bombay |
| 1996 | Won Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain (Kalki) |
| 1997 | Won National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor (Iruvar) |
| 1998 | Won National Film Award (Special Jury) for Anthapuram |
| 2000 | Completed 75th film (Sammakka Sarakka) |
| 2001 | Completed 100th film (Dosth) |
| 2002 | Won National Film Award (Special Jury) for Dhaya |
| 2002 | Won Filmfare Award (Telugu) for Nuvve Nuvve |
| 2003 | Major villain success with Okkadu |
| 2003 | Won Nandi Award for Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi |
| 2004 | Won Filmfare Award for Best Villain (Ghilli) |
| 2004 | Completed 150th film (Shart: The Challenge) |
| 2005 | Won Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Villain (Anniyan) |
| 2005 | Completed 175th film (Ponniyin Selvan) |
| 2006 | Won Nandi Award for Bommarillu |
| 2006 | Completed 200th film (Sainikudu) |
| 2008 | Won National Film Award for Best Actor (Kanchivaram) |
| 2008 | Won Filmfare Best Tamil Actor (Kanchivaram) |
| 2008 | Completed 225th film (Alibhabha) |
| 2010 | Directed film Naanu Nanna Kanasu |
| 2010 | Completed 250th film (Elektra) |
| 2011 | Won SIIMA Award (Dookudu) |
| 2011 | Completed 275th film (Dookudu) |
| 2013 | Completed 300th film (Rajjo) |
| 2015 | Completed 325th film (Inji Iduppazhagi) |
| 2017 | Completed 350th film (Achayans) |
| 2018 | Completed 375th film (Odiyan) |
| 2022 | Completed 400th film (Shekar) |
| 2022 | Appeared in blockbuster K.G.F: Chapter 2 |
| 2023 | Featured in Varisu and Ponniyin Selvan II |
| 2024 | Appeared in Guntur Kaaram |
| 2025 | Continued active roles in Telugu & Tamil cinema |
| 2026 | Working on upcoming films (Jana Nayagan, G2, Dacoit) |
Recent Activity
- Actively involved in theatre direction, recently directing the play “Can’t Pay Won’t Pay” for the theatre group Nirdigantha
- Continues to engage in social and political discussions through his popular #justasking campaign on social media
- Participates in theatrical education initiatives, including projects related to puppetry and performance arts
- Frequently appears at literary and cultural events, where he shares insights on technology, society, and contemporary issues
- Maintains a strong presence as a public speaker and thought leader, addressing various social topics
Awards List
| Year | Award | Category | Award Name | Film | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1996 | Nandi Awards | Best Villain | Nandi Award | Gunshot | Won |
| 1996 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Villain | Tamil Nadu State Film Award | Kalki | Won |
| 1997 | National Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | National Film Award | Iruvar | Won |
| 1998 | Nandi Awards | Best Character Actor | Nandi Award | Anthahpuram | Won |
| 1998 | National Film Awards | Special Mention | National Film Award | Anthapuram | Won |
| 2000 | Nandi Awards | Best Character Actor | Nandi Award | Azad | Won |
| 2000 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Villain | Tamil Nadu State Film Award | Vaanavil | Won |
| 2002 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Supporting Actor | Filmfare Award South | Nuvve Nuvve | Won |
| 2002 | Nandi Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nandi Award | Khadgam | Won |
| 2002 | National Film Awards | Special Jury Award | National Film Award | Dhaya | Won |
| 2003 | CineMAA Awards | Best Supporting Actor | CineMAA Award | Khadgam | Won |
| 2003 | Santosham Film Awards | Best Villain | Santosham Award | Okkadu | Won |
| 2003 | Nandi Awards | Best Character Actor | Nandi Award | Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi | Won |
| 2003 | Nandi Awards | Best Villain | Nandi Award | Gangotri | Won |
| 2003 | International Tamil Film Awards | Best Supporting Actor | ITFA Award | Kannathil Muthamittal | Won |
| 2004 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Villain | Filmfare Award South | Ghilli | Won |
| 2004 | CineMAA Awards | Best Supporting Actor | CineMAA Award | Amma Nanna O Tamila Ammayi | Won |
| 2005 | Filmfare Awards South | Best Villain | Filmfare Award South | Sivakasi | Won |
| 2005 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Villain | Tamil Nadu State Film Award | Anniyan | Won |
| 2006 | Vijay Awards | Best Villain | Vijay Award | Sivakasi | Won |
| 2006 | Nandi Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nandi Award | Bommarillu | Won |
| 2007 | Vijay Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Vijay Award | Mozhi | Won |
| 2007 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Film Second Prize | Tamil Nadu State Film Award | Mozhi | Won |
| 2007 | National Film Awards | Best Actor | National Film Award | Kanchivaram | Won |
| 2008 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Character Artiste | Tamil Nadu State Film Award | Abhiyum Naanum | Won |
| 2009 | Vijay Awards | Best Actor | Vijay Award | Kanchivaram | Won |
| 2009 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Villain | Tamil Nadu State Film Award | Villu | Won |
| 2010 | National Film Awards | Best Feature Film Kannada | National Film Award | Puttakkana Highway | Won |
| 2011 | Nandi Awards | Best Supporting Actor | Nandi Award | Dookudu | Won |
| 2012 | SIIMA Awards | Best Supporting Actor Telugu | SIIMA Award | Dookudu | Won |
| 2012 | IIFA Awards | Best Performance in Negative Role | IIFA Award | Singham | Won |
| 2012 | Zee Cine Awards | Best Actor in Negative Role | Zee Cine Award | Singham | Won |
| 2012 | Tamil Nadu State Film Awards | Best Film Third Prize | Tamil Nadu State Film Award | Dhoni | Won |
| 2013 | SIIMA Awards | Best Supporting Actor | SIIMA Award | O Kadhal Kanmani | Won |
| 2016 | SIIMA Awards | Best Supporting Actor | SIIMA Award | Manithan | Won |
| 2018 | SIIMA Awards | Best Supporting Actor | SIIMA Award | 60 Vayadu Maaniram | Won |
| 2023 | Filmfare Awards South | Critics Award for Best Actor | Filmfare Award South | Ranga Maarthaanda | Won |
About Prakash Raj
He is a renowned Indian actor known for versatile roles in multiple film industries.
He works in Telugu, Tamil, Kannada, Malayalam, and Hindi films.
Yes, he has won 5 National Film Awards.
He is famous for villain and character roles with strong screen presence.
Yes, he is active in theatre, social campaigns, and public discussions.