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Prakash Raj: From Bengaluru Theatre to Five Film Industries

A Bengaluru boy who began in Kannada theatre and television, became a star villain and character actor in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam cinema, and won several National Film Awards.

QUICK ANSWER

  • Prakash Raj is an actor, director and producer born in Bengaluru in 1965 who began in Kannada theatre and television.
  • He broke through in Tamil with Duet (1994) and won the National Film Award for Best Actor for Kanchivaram.
  • He contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Bangalore Central as an independent.
Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7 Tariq Sallam September 23, 2026 • 2 min read • Updated October 17, 2026
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A theatre stage with red velvet curtains and a footlight that opens into a film set with a camera on dolly tracks, a director's chair, studio lights and a row of hanging clapperboards

Prakash Raj began his career on Bengaluru's stages.

“He can play a villain you hate and a father you cry for, sometimes in the same year.”

• On Prakash Raj's range

Prakash Raj is an actor, director and producer born in Bengaluru in 1965 who began in Kannada theatre and television before becoming one of the most prolific character actors in Indian cinema. He broke through in Tamil with K Balachander's Duet (1994) and has won several National Film Awards, including Best Actor for Kanchivaram (2009). He also produced the award-winning Kannada film Puttakkana Highway and contested the 2019 Lok Sabha election from Bangalore Central.

He has never lost his connection to Bengaluru's theatre and Kannada cinema. This profile keeps to the well-documented record.

Quick Information

A Bengaluru theatre actor who ended up working in five languages and collecting National Awards along the way. The villain roles paid for the art films.

Born
March 26, 1965, Bengaluru
Education
St Joseph's, Bengaluru
Beginnings
Kannada theatre and television
Breakthrough
Duet (1994, Tamil)
Languages
Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam
National Awards
Including Best Actor for Kanchivaram (2009)
Producer
Puttakkana Highway (2011, Kannada)
Politics
Contested Bangalore Central in 2019 as an independent
One memorable fact
He is widely known in Hindi cinema as the villain in Singham

How Did Prakash Raj Start in Bengaluru?

In Kannada theatre and television, including the serial Bisilu Kudure, before moving into films. His early stage work gave him the range he became known for.

What Are Prakash Raj's Best Performances?

Kanchivaram, which won him the National Award for Best Actor, Iruvar, Antahpuram and many Kannada and Tamil films. In Hindi, his villain in Singham is the best known.

A LESSER-KNOWN FACT

He has acted in more than 300 films across several languages.

Why Does Prakash Raj Belong in People of Bangalore?

THEIR BANGALORE CONNECTION

Born and trained in Bengaluru's theatre and Kannada television, he remains a prominent voice in the city's cultural and public life.

FAQs

Is Prakash Raj from Bengaluru?

Yes. He was born in Bengaluru on March 26, 1965.

What National Awards has Prakash Raj won?

Several, including Best Actor for Kanchivaram.

Did Prakash Raj contest elections?

Yes, from Bangalore Central in 2019 as an independent.

A Kannada Film Fan?

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Tariq Sallam, founder of The City 24/7

Tariq Sallam

FOUNDER, THE CITY 24/7

placeBangalore calendar_monthSince 1991 groupsPeople. Places. Possibilities.

Tariq Sallam is the founder of The City 24/7, a platform dedicated to celebrating everything Bangalore. Having lived in the city since 1991, he has witnessed its remarkable journey from a laid-back Garden City to one of India’s most dynamic and innovative cities.

Passionate about its people, businesses, neighbourhoods, food, culture and hidden gems, Tariq believes every corner of Bangalore has a story worth telling. When he’s not writing or interviewing inspiring Bangaloreans, you’ll find him exploring the city. And through The City 24/7, he invites you to discover Bangalore with him, one story at a time.

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