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After working in the [[Kannada language|Kannada]] television industry and the [[Kannada cinema]] for a few years, he made his debut in [[Tamil cinema]] through ''[[Duet (1994 film)|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]].<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/06/08/stories/2004060800210100.htm 'I cannot allow love to rule my thoughts'] Metro Plus, 8 June 2004 ''The Hindu''</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article582088.ece Catching them young!], Malathi Rangarajan, 19 August 2010 ''The Hindu''</ref> Prakash has also worked in a number of [[Bollywood|Hindi]] films.
After working in the [[Kannada language|Kannada]] television industry and the [[Kannada cinema]] for a few years, he made his debut in [[Tamil cinema]] through ''[[Duet (1994 film)|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]].<ref>[http://www.hindu.com/mp/2004/06/08/stories/2004060800210100.htm 'I cannot allow love to rule my thoughts'] Metro Plus, 8 June 2004 ''The Hindu''</ref><ref>[http://www.thehindu.com/arts/cinema/article582088.ece Catching them young!], Malathi Rangarajan, 19 August 2010 ''The Hindu''</ref> Prakash has also worked in a number of [[Bollywood|Hindi]] films.


Apart from his mother tongue [[Kannada language|Kannada]], Prakash's fluency in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tulu language|Tulu]], [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]] and English has placed him among the most sought actors in [[Cinema of India|Indian cinema]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://myyearofprakashraj.blogspot.in/2011/05/passion-for-cinema-post-on-prakash-raj.html |title=Passion for Cinema Post on Prakash Rai (2007) |publisher=My Year of Prakash Rai |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.helloandhra.com/storyoftheweek/prakashraj-king-of-action-11.html |title=Story of the week: Prakashrai.. King of action ! |publisher=HelloAndhra.com |date= |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref> He 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]]'', a [[National Film Award – Special Mention (feature film)]] for a Telugu film [[Antahpuram]] directed by [[Krishna Vamsi]] in 1998<ref>{{cite web |title= 46th National Film Festival 1999, pg 82|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/46_nff_1999.pdf|publisher=http://dff.nic.in}}</ref> and a [[National Film Award for Best Actor]] in 2009 for his role in ''[[Kanchivaram]]'', a Tamil film directed by [[Priyadarshan]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pib.nic.in/archieve/others/2009/sep/r2009090707.pdf|title=55th National Film Awards for the Year 2007 |publisher=Press Information Bureau ([[Govt. of India]])}}</ref> and as a producer he 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 show's second season.
Apart from his mother tongue [[Kannada language|Kannada]], Prakash's fluency in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Tulu language|Tulu]], [[Malayalam language|Malayalam]], [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Hindi language|Hindi]] and English has placed him among the most sought actors in [[Cinema of India|Indian cinema]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://myyearofprakashraj.blogspot.in/2011/05/passion-for-cinema-post-on-prakash-raj.html |title=Passion for Cinema Post on Prakash Rai (2007) |publisher=My Year of Prakash Rai |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.helloandhra.com/storyoftheweek/prakashraj-king-of-action-11.html |title=Story of the week: Prakashrai.. King of action ! |publisher=HelloAndhra.com |date= |accessdate=6 December 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131023111636/http://www.helloandhra.com/storyoftheweek/prakashraj-king-of-action-11.html |archivedate=23 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> He 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]]'', a [[National Film Award – Special Mention (feature film)]] for a Telugu film [[Antahpuram]] directed by [[Krishna Vamsi]] in 1998<ref>{{cite web |title= 46th National Film Festival 1999, pg 82|url=http://dff.nic.in/2011/46_nff_1999.pdf|publisher=http://dff.nic.in}}</ref> and a [[National Film Award for Best Actor]] in 2009 for his role in ''[[Kanchivaram]]'', a Tamil film directed by [[Priyadarshan]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://pib.nic.in/archieve/others/2009/sep/r2009090707.pdf|title=55th National Film Awards for the Year 2007 |publisher=Press Information Bureau ([[Govt. of India]])}}</ref> and as a producer he 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 show's second season.


==Personal life==
==Personal life==
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Prakash Raj was born in [[Bengaluru]], Karnataka<ref name="hindu.com"/><ref name="Openheart"/> on 26 March 1965 to a [[Tulu People|Tulu]]-speaking father, Manjunath Rai and a [[Kannadiga]] mother, Swarnalatha,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.m.indiancinemagallery.com/profile/prakash-raj.html|title=Prakash Raj - Profile, Movies, Photos, Filmography, Biography, Wallpapers, Videos, Awards|work=indiancinemagallery.com}}</ref> in a lower-middle-class Family.<ref name="web.archive.org"/> His brother is Prasad Rai who is also an actor.<ref name=Openheart/><ref>[http://www.indiaglitz.com/prakash-raj-s-brother-debuts-in-kollywood-tamil-news-60295 Prakash Raj's brother debuts in Kollywood&nbsp;– Tamil Movie News]. Indiaglitz.com (23 September 2010). Retrieved on 10 June 2014.</ref> He completed schooling at [[St. Joseph's Boys' High School, Bangalore]] and joined [[St. Joseph's College of Commerce]], Bangalore. Prakash Rai changed his name to Prakash Raj based on prominent Tamil film director [[K. Balachander]]'s advice; he is still called Prakash Rai in his home state, [[Karnataka]].
Prakash Raj was born in [[Bengaluru]], Karnataka<ref name="hindu.com"/><ref name="Openheart"/> on 26 March 1965 to a [[Tulu People|Tulu]]-speaking father, Manjunath Rai and a [[Kannadiga]] mother, Swarnalatha,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.m.indiancinemagallery.com/profile/prakash-raj.html|title=Prakash Raj - Profile, Movies, Photos, Filmography, Biography, Wallpapers, Videos, Awards|work=indiancinemagallery.com}}</ref> in a lower-middle-class Family.<ref name="web.archive.org"/> His brother is Prasad Rai who is also an actor.<ref name=Openheart/><ref>[http://www.indiaglitz.com/prakash-raj-s-brother-debuts-in-kollywood-tamil-news-60295 Prakash Raj's brother debuts in Kollywood&nbsp;– Tamil Movie News]. Indiaglitz.com (23 September 2010). Retrieved on 10 June 2014.</ref> He completed schooling at [[St. Joseph's Boys' High School, Bangalore]] and joined [[St. Joseph's College of Commerce]], Bangalore. Prakash Rai changed his name to Prakash Raj based on prominent Tamil film director [[K. Balachander]]'s advice; he is still called Prakash Rai in his home state, [[Karnataka]].


Prakash Raj married actress Lalitha Kumari in 1994. They had two daughters, Meghana and Pooja, and a son Sidhu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/prakashraj-and-pony-verma-get-married_100418359.html|title=Prakashraj and Pony Verma get married|work=Thaindian News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-03-21/hyderabad/28342135_1_sidhu-actor-prakash-raj-chennai |title=Actor Prakash Raj's son dies |newspaper=The Times of India | date=21 March 2004}}</ref> The couple divorced in 2009.<ref name="Prakash Rai Granted Divorce">{{cite news | url=http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/71841/Prakashraj-granted-divorce.html | title= Prakash Rai Granted Divorce | date=19 November 2009 | publisher=Yahoo! India}}</ref> Praksh Raj is an atheist.<ref name=forgranted/>
Prakash Raj married actress Lalitha Kumari in 1994. They had two daughters, Meghana and Pooja, and a son Sidhu.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thaindian.com/newsportal/entertainment/prakashraj-and-pony-verma-get-married_100418359.html|title=Prakashraj and Pony Verma get married|work=Thaindian News}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2004-03-21/hyderabad/28342135_1_sidhu-actor-prakash-raj-chennai |title=Actor Prakash Raj's son dies |newspaper=The Times of India | date=21 March 2004}}</ref> The couple divorced in 2009.<ref name="Prakash Rai Granted Divorce">{{cite news | url=http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/71841/Prakashraj-granted-divorce.html | title=Prakash Rai Granted Divorce | date=19 November 2009 | publisher=Yahoo! India | deadurl=yes | archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20091123082954/http://in.movies.yahoo.com/news-detail/71841/Prakashraj-granted-divorce.html | archivedate=23 November 2009 | df=dmy-all }}</ref> Praksh Raj is an atheist.<ref name=forgranted/>


He married choreographer [[Pony Verma]] on 24 August 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prakash Rai marriage with Pony Verma |url=http://www.supergoodmovies.com/8001/tollywood/prakash-raj-marriage-with-pony-verma-news-details|publisher=www.supergoodmovies.com|accessdate=20 January 2013}}</ref> They have a son, Vedhanth.<ref>[http://www.indiaglitz.com/little-hero-vedhanth-big-villain-prakash-raj-telugu-news-169056.html]</ref><ref>[http://www.andhraheadlines.com/news/movies/163060/sunday-spl-cute-vedanths-picture]</ref>
He married choreographer [[Pony Verma]] on 24 August 2010.<ref>{{cite web |title=Prakash Rai marriage with Pony Verma |url=http://www.supergoodmovies.com/8001/tollywood/prakash-raj-marriage-with-pony-verma-news-details|publisher=www.supergoodmovies.com|accessdate=20 January 2013}}</ref> They have a son, Vedhanth.<ref>[http://www.indiaglitz.com/little-hero-vedhanth-big-villain-prakash-raj-telugu-news-169056.html]</ref><ref>[http://www.andhraheadlines.com/news/movies/163060/sunday-spl-cute-vedanths-picture]</ref>
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He took on the mantle of director with ''[[Naanu Nanna Kanasu]]'', in Kannada in 2010, for which he was the joint producer. The film completed 125 days successfully in the theatres across [[Karnataka]], becoming the biggest hit of the year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/104809/naanu-nanna-kanasu-hindi.html |title='Naanu Nanna Kanasu' in Hindi |newspaper=Deccan Herald |date=21 May 2013 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref> He was nominated for the Filmfare South "Best Director" category for his very first film.
He took on the mantle of director with ''[[Naanu Nanna Kanasu]]'', in Kannada in 2010, for which he was the joint producer. The film completed 125 days successfully in the theatres across [[Karnataka]], becoming the biggest hit of the year.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.deccanherald.com/content/104809/naanu-nanna-kanasu-hindi.html |title='Naanu Nanna Kanasu' in Hindi |newspaper=Deccan Herald |date=21 May 2013 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref> He was nominated for the Filmfare South "Best Director" category for his very first film.


He then directed the Telugu and Tamil bilingual film ''[[Dhoni (film)|Dhoni]]''. In 2014, he directed a multilingual film ''[[Oggarane (film)|Oggarane]]'' (in Kannada), ''[[Ulavacharu Biryani]]'' (in Telugu) and ''[[Un Samayal Arayil]]'' (in Tamil).<ref name="ibnlive.in.com">{{cite news |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/prakash-raj-set-to-take-kannada-film-industry-by-storm/422738-71-205.html |title=Prakash Raj set to take Kannada film industry by storm |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |date=17 September 2013 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="behindwoods.com">{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/aug-12-03/prakash-raj-duet-movies-18-08-12.html |title=Prakash Raj To Remake Malayalam Hit&nbsp;– Prakash Raj&nbsp;– Duet Movies&nbsp;– Tamil Movie News |publisher=Behindwoods.com |date=18 August 2012 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="indiaglitz.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/kannada/article/97532.html |title='Vaggarane' from Prakash Raj&nbsp;– Kannada Movie News |publisher=Indiaglitz.com |date=14 September 2013 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-16/news-interviews/42113380_1_prakash-raj-salt-pepper |title=Prakash Raj in Kannada version of Salt and Pepper |newspaper=The Times of India |date=16 September 2013 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref> The Tamil and the Telugu versions didn't do any miracles at the box office, while ''Oggarane'', the Kannada version became the runaway blockbuster hit of the year.<ref name="rediff.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/prakash-rajs-oggarane-is-a-huge-success-at-the-box-office-south/20140616.htm|title=Prakash Raj's Oggarane is a huge success at the Box Office|date=16 June 2014|work=Rediff}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/Oggarane-Success-kannada-news-108987|title=Oggarane Success!|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="moviesamachar.com">{{cite web|url=http://moviesamachar.com/news/prakash-raj-s-oggarane-is-a-huge-success-at-the-box-office|title=Prakash Raj S Oggarane Is A Huge Success At The Box Office - Movie News :: MovieSamachar.com|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="veooz.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.veooz.com/news/4HGey6f.html|title=[News] Prakash Raj's Oggarane is a huge success ... - Veooz 360|work=Veooz}}</ref><ref name="kannada.filmyfilmy.com">{{cite web|url=http://kannada.filmyfilmy.com/fn-oggarane-success-7065525.htm|title=Filmy Filmy - Bollywood News - Bollywood ShowBiz and Celebrity photos - Bollywood gossip|work=Filmy Filmy}}</ref><ref name="nthwall.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.nthwall.com/ka/Oggarane-Film-Success-Pressmeet/1000007821 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-06-25 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183712/http://www.nthwall.com/ka/Oggarane-Film-Success-Pressmeet/1000007821 |archivedate=14 July 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
He then directed the Telugu and Tamil bilingual film ''[[Dhoni (film)|Dhoni]]''. In 2014, he directed a multilingual film ''[[Oggarane (film)|Oggarane]]'' (in Kannada), ''[[Ulavacharu Biryani]]'' (in Telugu) and ''[[Un Samayal Arayil]]'' (in Tamil).<ref name="ibnlive.in.com">{{cite news |url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/prakash-raj-set-to-take-kannada-film-industry-by-storm/422738-71-205.html |title=Prakash Raj set to take Kannada film industry by storm |publisher=Ibnlive.in.com |date=17 September 2013 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="behindwoods.com">{{cite web|url=http://behindwoods.com/tamil-movie-news-1/aug-12-03/prakash-raj-duet-movies-18-08-12.html |title=Prakash Raj To Remake Malayalam Hit&nbsp;– Prakash Raj&nbsp;– Duet Movies&nbsp;– Tamil Movie News |publisher=Behindwoods.com |date=18 August 2012 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="indiaglitz.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/kannada/article/97532.html |title='Vaggarane' from Prakash Raj&nbsp;– Kannada Movie News |publisher=Indiaglitz.com |date=14 September 2013 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref name="articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com">{{cite news |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-09-16/news-interviews/42113380_1_prakash-raj-salt-pepper |title=Prakash Raj in Kannada version of Salt and Pepper |newspaper=The Times of India |date=16 September 2013 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref> The Tamil and the Telugu versions didn't do any miracles at the box office, while ''Oggarane'', the Kannada version became the runaway blockbuster hit of the year.<ref name="rediff.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.rediff.com/movies/report/prakash-rajs-oggarane-is-a-huge-success-at-the-box-office-south/20140616.htm|title=Prakash Raj's Oggarane is a huge success at the Box Office|date=16 June 2014|work=Rediff}}</ref><ref name="ReferenceB">{{cite web|url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/Oggarane-Success-kannada-news-108987|title=Oggarane Success!|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="moviesamachar.com">{{cite web|url=http://moviesamachar.com/news/prakash-raj-s-oggarane-is-a-huge-success-at-the-box-office|title=Prakash Raj S Oggarane Is A Huge Success At The Box Office - Movie News :: MovieSamachar.com|publisher=}}</ref><ref name="veooz.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.veooz.com/news/4HGey6f.html|title=[News] Prakash Raj's Oggarane is a huge success ... - Veooz 360|work=Veooz}}</ref><ref name="kannada.filmyfilmy.com">{{cite web|url=http://kannada.filmyfilmy.com/fn-oggarane-success-7065525.htm|title=Filmy Filmy - Bollywood News - Bollywood ShowBiz and Celebrity photos - Bollywood gossip|work=Filmy Filmy|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714151014/http://kannada.filmyfilmy.com/fn-oggarane-success-7065525.htm|archivedate=14 July 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref><ref name="nthwall.com">{{cite web |url=http://www.nthwall.com/ka/Oggarane-Film-Success-Pressmeet/1000007821 |title=Archived copy |accessdate=2014-06-25 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714183712/http://www.nthwall.com/ka/Oggarane-Film-Success-Pressmeet/1000007821 |archivedate=14 July 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>


===As a producer===
===As a producer===
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There was controversy for his naked appearance in a sequence in his latest Telugu release titled ''[[Ongole Githa]]''. The film got an "A Certificate" from the Censor Board. Prakash reacted by saying: "I did not shed my clothes for creating sensation, I had no plans to star in that sequence. The script demanded it; as an actor, I have to abide by the script. Director Bhaskar told me that it would be an 'important' sequence in the context of the film and I just carried out his instructions."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollytalk.com/cinenews/prakash-raj-defends-his-naked-act-in-ongole-githa-81687.html |title=Prakash Raj defends his 'naked' act in Ongole Githa |publisher=Kolly Talk |date=7 February 2013 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/videos/39550.html |title=Videos&nbsp;– Prakash Raj Defends nude scenes in 'Ongolu Gittha' |publisher=Indiaglitz.com |date=27 March 2009 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author= |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/telugu/news/2013/prakash-raj-defend-nudeact-scenes-ongole-gitta-103221.html |title=Prakash Raj defends his nude act scenes in Ongole Gitta&nbsp;– Oneindia Entertainment |publisher=Entertainment.oneindia.in |date=5 February 2013 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref>
There was controversy for his naked appearance in a sequence in his latest Telugu release titled ''[[Ongole Githa]]''. The film got an "A Certificate" from the Censor Board. Prakash reacted by saying: "I did not shed my clothes for creating sensation, I had no plans to star in that sequence. The script demanded it; as an actor, I have to abide by the script. Director Bhaskar told me that it would be an 'important' sequence in the context of the film and I just carried out his instructions."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.kollytalk.com/cinenews/prakash-raj-defends-his-naked-act-in-ongole-githa-81687.html |title=Prakash Raj defends his 'naked' act in Ongole Githa |publisher=Kolly Talk |date=7 February 2013 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiaglitz.com/channels/tamil/videos/39550.html |title=Videos&nbsp;– Prakash Raj Defends nude scenes in 'Ongolu Gittha' |publisher=Indiaglitz.com |date=27 March 2009 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |author= |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/telugu/news/2013/prakash-raj-defend-nudeact-scenes-ongole-gitta-103221.html |title=Prakash Raj defends his nude act scenes in Ongole Gitta&nbsp;– Oneindia Entertainment |publisher=Entertainment.oneindia.in |date=5 February 2013 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref>


Several Kannada organisations staged protests in front of theatres since they felt that some of the dialogue in a scene in the Hindi film ''[[Singham]]'', starring Ajay Devgan and Prakash were derogatory against the Kannadigas. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) had demanded the deletion of all "objectionable" dialogue from the movie. The screening was stopped in major centres of Karnataka. The controversial scene starts off with Prakash threatening Ajay that he would bring 1,000 people from the Karnataka border to thrash him. Ajay (who plays Bhajirao Singham, a Maratha), retorts that one lion would suffice to shoo away a thousand dogs. The controversy assumes significance in the backdrop of the decades-old border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra. Kannada protesters also felt that Prakash, being a [[Kannada people|Kannadiga]] should have told the team that it is not right. Prakash reacted to it to the [[Kannada language|Kannada]] and the [[Telugu language|Telugu]] media by saying: "I am a Kannadiga myself and I love my mother tongue Kannada. I'm very proud of my community and would never deliberately do anything to hurt my people. How would I allow conversations that provide pain to people of Karnataka in any movie in which I am cast? There is nothing controversial about the dialogue. I am a Maratha in the movie, the controversy has started just because I am a Kannadiga and I used the word 'Karnataka border' in the film because the villain in the film stays in Goa, the Karnataka border."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/1568545/report-singham-dialogue-offends-kannadigas |title=Singham dialogue offends Kannadigas&nbsp;– Entertainment&nbsp;– DNA |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date= |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author= |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/remove-derogatory-remarks-from-all-prints-of-singham/article2288183.ece |title='Remove derogatory remarks from all prints of Singham' |newspaper=The Hindu |date=24 July 2011 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://andhravilas.net/movienews/224041/2/PrakashRajsdialoguesinSinghambecomecontroversial.html |title=Prakash Raj's dialogues in Singham become controversial |publisher=Andhravilas |date= |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref> Finally the dialogue was removed, and the whole team of ''Singham'' including the director, Rohit Shetty, the production house "Reliance Big Entertainment" and Prakash apologised to all the Kannadigas; the issue was resolved.<ref>{{cite news |author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-24/bangalore/29809306_1_reliance-big-entertainment-apology-singham |title=We're sorry, says Singham team |newspaper=The Times of India |date=24 July 2011 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hooli |first=Shekhar |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/kannada/news/2011/singham-team-apology-kannadigas-240711-aid0062.html |title=Singham team tenders apology to Kannadigas&nbsp;– Oneindia Entertainment |publisher=Entertainment.oneindia.in |date=24 July 2011 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bLPln8PeIM |title=Tv9&nbsp;– Prakash Raj's dialogues in Singham become controversial |publisher=YouTube |date=25 July 2011 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EWoXfkwOJg |title=TV9&nbsp;– "Prakash Raj" Apologizes Kannadigas |publisher=YouTube |date=23 July 2011 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref>
Several Kannada organisations staged protests in front of theatres since they felt that some of the dialogue in a scene in the Hindi film ''[[Singham]]'', starring Ajay Devgan and Prakash were derogatory against the Kannadigas. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) had demanded the deletion of all "objectionable" dialogue from the movie. The screening was stopped in major centres of Karnataka. The controversial scene starts off with Prakash threatening Ajay that he would bring 1,000 people from the Karnataka border to thrash him. Ajay (who plays Bhajirao Singham, a Maratha), retorts that one lion would suffice to shoo away a thousand dogs. The controversy assumes significance in the backdrop of the decades-old border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra. Kannada protesters also felt that Prakash, being a [[Kannada people|Kannadiga]] should have told the team that it is not right. Prakash reacted to it to the [[Kannada language|Kannada]] and the [[Telugu language|Telugu]] media by saying: "I am a Kannadiga myself and I love my mother tongue Kannada. I'm very proud of my community and would never deliberately do anything to hurt my people. How would I allow conversations that provide pain to people of Karnataka in any movie in which I am cast? There is nothing controversial about the dialogue. I am a Maratha in the movie, the controversy has started just because I am a Kannadiga and I used the word 'Karnataka border' in the film because the villain in the film stays in Goa, the Karnataka border."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnaindia.com/entertainment/1568545/report-singham-dialogue-offends-kannadigas |title=Singham dialogue offends Kannadigas&nbsp;– Entertainment&nbsp;– DNA |publisher=Dnaindia.com |date= |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |author= |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/remove-derogatory-remarks-from-all-prints-of-singham/article2288183.ece |title='Remove derogatory remarks from all prints of Singham' |newspaper=The Hindu |date=24 July 2011 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://andhravilas.net/movienews/224041/2/PrakashRajsdialoguesinSinghambecomecontroversial.html |title=Prakash Raj's dialogues in Singham become controversial |publisher=Andhravilas |date= |accessdate=6 December 2013 |deadurl=yes |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131018015750/http://andhravilas.net/movienews/224041/2/PrakashRajsdialoguesinSinghambecomecontroversial.html |archivedate=18 October 2013 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> Finally the dialogue was removed, and the whole team of ''Singham'' including the director, Rohit Shetty, the production house "Reliance Big Entertainment" and Prakash apologised to all the Kannadigas; the issue was resolved.<ref>{{cite news |author= |url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-24/bangalore/29809306_1_reliance-big-entertainment-apology-singham |title=We're sorry, says Singham team |newspaper=The Times of India |date=24 July 2011 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Hooli |first=Shekhar |url=http://entertainment.oneindia.in/kannada/news/2011/singham-team-apology-kannadigas-240711-aid0062.html |title=Singham team tenders apology to Kannadigas&nbsp;– Oneindia Entertainment |publisher=Entertainment.oneindia.in |date=24 July 2011 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bLPln8PeIM |title=Tv9&nbsp;– Prakash Raj's dialogues in Singham become controversial |publisher=YouTube |date=25 July 2011 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9EWoXfkwOJg |title=TV9&nbsp;– "Prakash Raj" Apologizes Kannadigas |publisher=YouTube |date=23 July 2011 |accessdate=6 December 2013}}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==

Revision as of 06:47, 20 January 2018

Prakash Raj
Born
Prakash Rai

(1965-03-26) 26 March 1965 (age 59)[1]
Bangalore,[2][3] Karnataka, India
NationalityIndian
Occupation(s)Film actor
Producer
Film director
Television presenter
Years active1986–present
Spouse(s)Lalitha Kumari
(1994–2009 divorced)
Pony Verma
(2010–present)
ChildrenMeghana
Pooja
Siddhu
Vedhanth

Prakash Raj (born Prakash Rai on 26 March 1965) is an Indian film actor,[4] film director, producer, thespian and television presenter who is known for his works in the South Indian film industry,[5] and Hindi films.[6] He acted in back-to-back stage shows for ₹300 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.[2]

After working in the Kannada television industry and the 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.[7][8] Prakash has also worked in a number of Hindi films.

Apart from his mother tongue Kannada, Prakash's fluency in Tamil, Telugu, Tulu, Malayalam, Marathi, Hindi and English has placed him among the most sought actors in Indian cinema.[9][10] He 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, a National Film Award – Special Mention (feature film) for a Telugu film Antahpuram directed by Krishna Vamsi in 1998[11] and a National Film Award for Best Actor in 2009 for his role in Kanchivaram, a Tamil film directed by Priyadarshan,[12] and as a producer he 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 show's second season.

Personal life

Prakash Raj was born in Bengaluru, Karnataka[2][3] on 26 March 1965 to a Tulu-speaking father, Manjunath Rai and a Kannadiga mother, Swarnalatha,[13] in a lower-middle-class Family.[1] His brother is Prasad Rai who is also an actor.[3][14] He completed schooling at St. Joseph's Boys' High School, Bangalore and joined St. Joseph's College of Commerce, Bangalore. Prakash Rai changed his name to Prakash Raj based on prominent Tamil film director K. Balachander's advice; he is still called Prakash Rai in his home state, Karnataka.

Prakash Raj married actress Lalitha Kumari in 1994. They had two daughters, Meghana and Pooja, and a son Sidhu.[15][16] The couple divorced in 2009.[17] Praksh Raj is an atheist.[6]

He married choreographer Pony Verma on 24 August 2010.[18] They have a son, Vedhanth.[19][20]

Career

Main article: Prakash Raj filmography

As an actor

Prakash began his acting career with Doordarshan serials such as Bisilu Kudure (Kannada) and Guddada Bhootha (Tulu and Kannada). He later took up supporting roles in Kannada films such as Ramachari, Ranadheera, Nishkarsha and Lockup Death. He was noticed for his dialogue delivery and histrionics. His breakthrough role came in Harakeya Kuri, directed by K. S. L. Swamy starring Vishnuvardhan, with whom he had acted in other films such as Mithileya Seetheyaru, Muthina Haara and Nishkarsha. His performance was noticed by Geetha, the lead heroine of the film, who introduced Prakash to her mentor K. Balachander, a Tamil director. He acted under the screen name "Prakash Rai" in Kannada films and was given the name "Prakash Raj" by K. Balachander for his debut Tamil film Duet,[6] which saw him playing his first major role.

Prakash re-entered Kannada films through Nagamandala in 1997, directed by T. S. Nagabharana, which was selected for the Indian Panorama in the International Film Festival in 1997. He was also a part of Mani Ratnam's stage show Netru, Indru, Naalai. In 1997, he acted in Mani Ratnam's biopic Iruvar. The movie dealt with the relationship between politicians M. G. Ramachandran and M. Karunanidhi, for which he won the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor.

He starred in many Malayalam films in 1996: The Prince, Indraprastham and Oru Yathramozhi, the last released in 1997. He also acted in Pandippada, with Dilip in 2005, Thekkekara Superfast in 2003, Keerthichakra in 2006, Amal Neerad's Anwar and Shyamaprasad's sensational movie Elecktra in 2010. For most of his Mollywood movies, he will render his own voice. He will also be seen in his upcoming movie Achayans.

He acted in many Telugu films, including Antahpuram (1998) which earned him a National Film Award – Special Jury Award / Special Mention.

He played an important role in Venkat Prabhu's Saroja. In 2008, he produced a film titled Abhiyum Naanum and played an important character in it. He remade the movie in Kannada as Naanu Nanna Kanasu.

Since Wanted (2009), Prakash Raj has been a regular villain in Hindi language Bollywood movies, including Singham (2011), as Jaikant Shikre, Dabangg 2, as Bachcha Singh, Mumbai Mirror (2013), as Shetty, and the movie Policegiri, opposite Sanjay Dutt and Prachi Desai, as Nagori.

He acted with actor Kamal Haasan in the film Thoongaa Vanam (2015).

As a director

He took on the mantle of director with Naanu Nanna Kanasu, in Kannada in 2010, for which he was the joint producer. The film completed 125 days successfully in the theatres across Karnataka, becoming the biggest hit of the year.[21] He was nominated for the Filmfare South "Best Director" category for his very first film.

He then directed the Telugu and Tamil bilingual film Dhoni. In 2014, he directed a multilingual film Oggarane (in Kannada), Ulavacharu Biryani (in Telugu) and Un Samayal Arayil (in Tamil).[22][23][24][25] The Tamil and the Telugu versions didn't do any miracles at the box office, while Oggarane, the Kannada version became the runaway blockbuster hit of the year.[26][27][28][29][30][31]

As a producer

Prakash became a producer beginning with the Tamil film Dhaya (2002), in which he was seen in the lead role with actress Meena. It earned him a Special Jury National Award for his performance. He later produced films in Tamil such as Naam (2003), Azhagiya Theeye (2004), Kanda Naal Mudhal (2005), Poi (2006), (starring Uday Kiran, his mentor K. Balachander and himself), Mozhi (2007), Velli Thirai and Abhiyum Naanum, which won many Tamil Nadu State Awards in 2008, and Inidhu Inidhu in 2010.

The first non-Tamil film that he produced was his directorial debut in Kannada Naanu Nanna Kanasu in 2010, a remake of his own Tamil production Abhiyum Naanum, for which he was the joint producer, along with his long-time Bengaluru theatre friend, Kannada director-producer B. Suresh.[32] In 2011, he acted and jointly produced the Kannada film Puttakkana Highway, again with B. Suresh, who directed the film. It was a milestone in Prakash's production career since Puttakkana Highway won him the National Award for Best Regional Film for the year 2010–2011,[33] and an award in the fourth Bengaluru International Film Festival of 2011.[34]

His first Telugu production was the Tamil-Telugu bilingual Payanam (Gaganam) in 2011, starring superstar Nagarjuna Akkineni and himself in the lead role. In 2012, he produced two Tamil films; Mayilu and Dhoni. In 2013, he produced a Telugu-Tamil bilingual film; Gouravam. He produced a multilingual film Oggarane (Kannada), Ulavacharu Biryani (Telugu) and Un Samayal Arayil (Tamil) in 2014.[22][23][24][25] Oggarane became a huge blockbuster hit that year.[26][27][28][29][30][31]

Humanitarian work

Prakash Raj adopted the village Kondareddipalle in Mahabubnagar District, located in Telangana state.[35]

Awards

Main article: List of awards and nominations received by Prakash Raj

Controversies

Prakash has been involved in several controversies.

He was banned by Telugu film producers six times in the past. Prakash reacted to it by saying:

"If people who work with me say that I play hide and seek, why do they repeat me? Why am I in Mahesh's nine films out of his ten. Why don't you judge me with my work? How I go about it is not important. I don't go by the rules. I put my foot down, I don't take mediocrity. There are certain locations where I can come only at 12 in the morning. I don't go by the rules."[36]

It was the first time that an actor was banned by the Telugu industry.[37] Telugu film industry insiders interpret the ban as a conspiracy by several big heroes and producers. Problems started during the shooting of films such as Pavan Kalyan's Jalsa, NTR Jr's Kantri, and Parugu starring Allu Arjun.[37][38][39][40][41]

There was controversy for his naked appearance in a sequence in his latest Telugu release titled Ongole Githa. The film got an "A Certificate" from the Censor Board. Prakash reacted by saying: "I did not shed my clothes for creating sensation, I had no plans to star in that sequence. The script demanded it; as an actor, I have to abide by the script. Director Bhaskar told me that it would be an 'important' sequence in the context of the film and I just carried out his instructions."[42][43][44]

Several Kannada organisations staged protests in front of theatres since they felt that some of the dialogue in a scene in the Hindi film Singham, starring Ajay Devgan and Prakash were derogatory against the Kannadigas. The Karnataka Film Chamber of Commerce (KFCC) had demanded the deletion of all "objectionable" dialogue from the movie. The screening was stopped in major centres of Karnataka. The controversial scene starts off with Prakash threatening Ajay that he would bring 1,000 people from the Karnataka border to thrash him. Ajay (who plays Bhajirao Singham, a Maratha), retorts that one lion would suffice to shoo away a thousand dogs. The controversy assumes significance in the backdrop of the decades-old border dispute between Karnataka and Maharashtra. Kannada protesters also felt that Prakash, being a Kannadiga should have told the team that it is not right. Prakash reacted to it to the Kannada and the Telugu media by saying: "I am a Kannadiga myself and I love my mother tongue Kannada. I'm very proud of my community and would never deliberately do anything to hurt my people. How would I allow conversations that provide pain to people of Karnataka in any movie in which I am cast? There is nothing controversial about the dialogue. I am a Maratha in the movie, the controversy has started just because I am a Kannadiga and I used the word 'Karnataka border' in the film because the villain in the film stays in Goa, the Karnataka border."[45][46][47] Finally the dialogue was removed, and the whole team of Singham including the director, Rohit Shetty, the production house "Reliance Big Entertainment" and Prakash apologised to all the Kannadigas; the issue was resolved.[48][49][50][51]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b dinakaran. Web.archive.org. Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  2. ^ a b c "'I cannot allow love to rule my thoughts'". The Hindu. 8 June 2004. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  3. ^ a b c "Prakash Raj Openheart with RK ABN Andhrajyothy". YouTube. 6 November 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  4. ^ "If artistes become cowards, they make society a coward: Prakash Raj".
  5. ^ "Prakash Raj exclusive: Everyone has the right to differ, but this is orchestrated trolling. And you cannot threaten me with continuous abuse".
  6. ^ a b c "I stopped taking life for granted after my son's death: Prakash Rai". The Times of India. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  7. ^ 'I cannot allow love to rule my thoughts' Metro Plus, 8 June 2004 The Hindu
  8. ^ Catching them young!, Malathi Rangarajan, 19 August 2010 The Hindu
  9. ^ "Passion for Cinema Post on Prakash Rai (2007)". My Year of Prakash Rai. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  10. ^ "Story of the week: Prakashrai.. King of action !". HelloAndhra.com. Archived from the original on 23 October 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  11. ^ "46th National Film Festival 1999, pg 82" (PDF). http://dff.nic.in. {{cite web}}: External link in |publisher= (help)
  12. ^ "55th National Film Awards for the Year 2007" (PDF). Press Information Bureau (Govt. of India).
  13. ^ "Prakash Raj - Profile, Movies, Photos, Filmography, Biography, Wallpapers, Videos, Awards". indiancinemagallery.com.
  14. ^ Prakash Raj's brother debuts in Kollywood – Tamil Movie News. Indiaglitz.com (23 September 2010). Retrieved on 10 June 2014.
  15. ^ "Prakashraj and Pony Verma get married". Thaindian News.
  16. ^ "Actor Prakash Raj's son dies". The Times of India. 21 March 2004.
  17. ^ "Prakash Rai Granted Divorce". Yahoo! India. 19 November 2009. Archived from the original on 23 November 2009. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  18. ^ "Prakash Rai marriage with Pony Verma". www.supergoodmovies.com. Retrieved 20 January 2013.
  19. ^ [1]
  20. ^ [2]
  21. ^ "'Naanu Nanna Kanasu' in Hindi". Deccan Herald. 21 May 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  22. ^ a b "Prakash Raj set to take Kannada film industry by storm". Ibnlive.in.com. 17 September 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  23. ^ a b "Prakash Raj To Remake Malayalam Hit – Prakash Raj – Duet Movies – Tamil Movie News". Behindwoods.com. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  24. ^ a b "'Vaggarane' from Prakash Raj – Kannada Movie News". Indiaglitz.com. 14 September 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  25. ^ a b "Prakash Raj in Kannada version of Salt and Pepper". The Times of India. 16 September 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  26. ^ a b "Prakash Raj's Oggarane is a huge success at the Box Office". Rediff. 16 June 2014.
  27. ^ a b "Oggarane Success!".
  28. ^ a b "Prakash Raj S Oggarane Is A Huge Success At The Box Office - Movie News  :: MovieSamachar.com".
  29. ^ a b "[News] Prakash Raj's Oggarane is a huge success ... - Veooz 360". Veooz.
  30. ^ a b "Filmy Filmy - Bollywood News - Bollywood ShowBiz and Celebrity photos - Bollywood gossip". Filmy Filmy. Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  31. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 14 July 2014. Retrieved 25 June 2014. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  32. ^ "Prakash Raj finalizes". Behindwoods. 11 November 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2009.
  33. ^ "National Film Award for Prakash Raj – Puttakkana Highway | Cine Vedika | Telugu |Film News | Daily Serials | TV Shows | Movies| Music". Cine Vedika. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  34. ^ "'Lucky' wins the Golden Bherunda award at BIFF – IBN South – IBN Bangalore – ibnlive". Ibnlive.in.com. 26 December 2011. Retrieved 6 August 2012.
  35. ^ "Humanity of Prakash Raj Makes tollywood industry proud". TNP. Hyderabad, India. 7 September 2015.
  36. ^ "An Interview With Prakash Raj – Interviews". CineGoer.com. Retrieved 3 April 2009.
  37. ^ a b "Tollywood bans Prakash Raj". The Times of India. 31 May 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  38. ^ "Multifaceted actor Prakash Raj banned in Tollywood". Kollywood Today. 2 June 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  39. ^ "Prakash Raj banned in Tollywood!". Sify.com. 1 June 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  40. ^ "Ban on Prakash Raj – Tamil Movie News". Indiaglitz.com. 31 May 2008. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  41. ^ "Tamil movies : Prakashraj banished from acting". Behindwoods.com. 11 September 2006. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  42. ^ "Prakash Raj defends his 'naked' act in Ongole Githa". Kolly Talk. 7 February 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  43. ^ "Videos – Prakash Raj Defends nude scenes in 'Ongolu Gittha'". Indiaglitz.com. 27 March 2009. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  44. ^ "Prakash Raj defends his nude act scenes in Ongole Gitta – Oneindia Entertainment". Entertainment.oneindia.in. 5 February 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  45. ^ "Singham dialogue offends Kannadigas – Entertainment – DNA". Dnaindia.com. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  46. ^ "'Remove derogatory remarks from all prints of Singham'". The Hindu. 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  47. ^ "Prakash Raj's dialogues in Singham become controversial". Andhravilas. Archived from the original on 18 October 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2013. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  48. ^ "We're sorry, says Singham team". The Times of India. 24 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  49. ^ Hooli, Shekhar (24 July 2011). "Singham team tenders apology to Kannadigas – Oneindia Entertainment". Entertainment.oneindia.in. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  50. ^ "Tv9 – Prakash Raj's dialogues in Singham become controversial". YouTube. 25 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2013.
  51. ^ "TV9 – "Prakash Raj" Apologizes Kannadigas". YouTube. 23 July 2011. Retrieved 6 December 2013.

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