| Venkat Prabhu | |
| Birthname: | Venkat Kumar Gangai Amaran |
| Birth Date: | 1975 11, df=yes |
| Birth Place: | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India |
| Years Active: | 1997–present |
| Children: | 2 |
| Father: | Gangai Amaren |
Venkat Kumar Gangai Amaren (born 7 November 1975), better known by his stage name Venkat Prabhu, is an Indian film director, actor and playback singer in Tamil cinema.[1] After completing his education, he began pursuing an acting career, with his first three ventures featuring him in a starring role, failing to release, following which he began appearing in character roles.
He entered the spotlight for the first time when he turned director with the summer hit Chennai 600028 (2007).[2] He achieved further commercial successes with his subsequent directorials Saroja (2008), Goa (2010), Mankatha (2011), Biriyani (2013), Masss (2015) and Maanaadu (2021). His father Gangai Amaren is a film director and music director.[3] He is currently working on his film The Greatest of All Time (2024).
Following his return to India, Prabhu began singing for demos by his cousins, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Karthik Raja,[4] and started his career as a playback singer in the film industry. In 1996, he, his brother Premgi Amaren and his childhood friend S. P. B. Charan set up a music band called Next Generation, which also featured Yugendran and Thaman as members,[5] [6] and did several stage performances. The following year, Prabhu played the lead role opposite Sangeetha in a film titled Poonjolai directed by his father Gangai Amaren,[7] but the film was cancelled in mid-production and attempts to revive and release the film by the late-2000s were unsuccessful. Prabhu starred in two more ventures, alongside his friends S. P. B. Charan and Yugendran; Wanted, directed by Premgi Amaren,[8] [9] and Agathiyan's Kadhal Samrajyam,[10] [11] both failing to release as well. Venkat Prabhu was then approached to essay supporting roles, with April Maadhathil (2002) becoming his first release. He went on to play character roles in nearly ten films, the most notable ventures being N. Linguswamy's Ji, starring Ajith Kumar, and the Perarasu-directed Sivakasi, featuring Vijay in the lead role. In 2008, he worked in Seeman's Vaazhthugal alongside Madhavan in his last credited appearance to date. He also played lead roles in Samuthirakani's directorial debut Unnai Charanadaindhen and Gnabagam Varuthey (2007), both co-starring Charan.
In 2007, Venkat Prabhu ventured into film directing with the sports comedy film Chennai 600028, produced by S. P. B. Charan, that revolved around a street cricket team from a suburban area in Chennai, with its players being portrayed by 11 newcomers, including his brother Premgi. The film emerged as a sleeper hit,[12] [13] garnering high critical acclaim and becoming labelled a "cult classic" in the following years,[14] which led to the lead cast growing in popularity. He next directed the comedy thriller film Saroja (2008), the title being derived from a hit number from Chennai 600028,[15] which also featured an ensemble cast including Charan and Premgi. The film followed the journey of four young men who, by taking a diversion off the main road, land into the hands of a kidnapper gang; it received positive response from critics and at the box office as well. He followed it up with Goa (2010), a full-length comedy film, which received mixed response and did fairly well at the box office. In 2011, he directed his biggest project to date, the action thriller Mankatha, featuring Ajith Kumar in the lead role and was later a blockbuster.[16]
His next project, Biriyani (2013), starred Karthi and Hansika Motwani. After Venkat Prabhu directed Massu Engira Masilamani, with Suriya and Nayanthara in the lead role.[17]
He directed Chennai 600028 II, the sequel of the 2007 blockbuster Chennai 600028, and it was released on 9 December 2016 to positive reviews.[18]
His upcoming film, The Greatest of All Time, starring Vijay and music by Yuvan Shankar Raja, was officially announced in May 2023. The film is bankrolled by AGS Entertainment, which marks their second collaboration with Vijay and the #TheGoat film will also have an English dubbed theatrical release and other Indian languages dubbed release using Vijay's voice in AI technology.[19] Whistle Podu song remix alternative version will be released along with film release rather than the original version.[20]
Venkat Prabhu is the son of director-turned-music-director Gangai Amaran and older brother to actor, singer and music director Premgi Amaran. His uncle is the music director Ilayaraaja and his cousins are the music composers Yuvan Shankar Raja, Karthik Raja and singer Bhavatharini.[21] S. P. B. Charan, producer of Prabhu's first directorial venture Chennai 600028, is his very close friend and they both have worked together on several projects.
He did his schooling at St. Bede's school in Chennai. On 10 September 2001, Venkat Prabhu married Rajalakshmi, the daughter of dance teacher K. J. Sarasa, and now has a daughter named Shivani. Shivani has already sung a song for the album Thaaaii when she was 5 years old.
Venkat Prabhu frequently works with the same actors and crew members, most prominently Premgi Amaren, Yuvan Shankar Raja, cinematographer Sakthi Saravanan, and editor Praveen K. L.[22] [23] [24]
Only people that have worked in three or more of his films are listed.
| Collaborator | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ajay Raj | (Cameo) | (Cameo) | |||||||||||
| Aravind Akash | (Cameo) | (Cameo) | (Cameo) | ||||||||||
| Ashwin Kakumanu | (Cameo) | ||||||||||||
| Badava Gopi | (cameo) | ||||||||||||
| Jai | (Cameo) | (Cameo) | (Cameo) | ||||||||||
| Jayaprakash | |||||||||||||
| Jayaram | |||||||||||||
| Nithin Sathya | (Cameo) | ||||||||||||
| Praveen K. L. | |||||||||||||
| Premgi Amaren | (as a music composer) | (as a music composer) | |||||||||||
| Ravikanth | |||||||||||||
| Sakthi Saravanan | |||||||||||||
| Sampath Raj | |||||||||||||
| Shanmugasundaram | (Cameo) | ||||||||||||
| Shiva | |||||||||||||
| Subbu Panchu | (Cameo) | ||||||||||||
| Vaibhav | (Cameo) | (Cameo) | (Cameo) | (cameo) | |||||||||
| Vijay Vasanth | (Cameo) | (Cameo) | (Cameo) | (Cameo) | |||||||||
| Vijayalakshmi | (Cameo) | ||||||||||||
| Yuvan Shankar Raja | (1 song) | ||||||||||||
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Chennai 600028 | |
| 2008 | Saroja | |
| 2010 | Goa | Edison Award for Best Romantic Film |
| 2011 | Mankatha | |
| 2013 | Biriyani | |
| 2015 | Massu Engira Masilamani | |
| 2016 | Chennai 600028 II | |
| 2021 | Kutty Story | Anthology film; segment : "Logam" |
| Live Telecast | Web series on Disney+Hotstar | |
| Maanaadu | ||
| 2022 | Manmadha Leelai | |
| Victim | Anthology web series; segment: Confession[25] | |
| 2023 | Custody | Simultaneously shot in Telugu |
| 2024 | Filming[26] | |
| Unreleased[27] [28] | ||
| Year | Title | Notes | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | |||
| 2019 | RK Nagar | ||
| 2021 | Kasada Thapara |
| Year | Title | Role | Note | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1982 | Payanangal Mudivathillai | Himself | Uncredited appearance in the song "Thogai Ilamayil"[29] | |||
| 2002 | April Maadhathil | Venkat | ||||
| 2003 | Vikadan | Rammohan's friend | ||||
| Unnai Saranadainthaen | Kannan | |||||
| 2004 | Neranja Manasu | Machakaalai | ||||
| 2005 | Ji | Uma Shankar | ||||
| Sivakasi | Ramalingam | |||||
| Mazhai | Kasi | |||||
| 2007 | Vasantham Vanthachu | Kumaresan | ||||
| Gnabagam Varuthey | Ramu | |||||
| 2008 | Vaazhthugal | Kalai | ||||
| Saroja | Special appearance | |||||
| 2010 | Goa | Himself | Special appearance | |||
| 2011 | Mankatha | Uncredited appearance | 2013 | Rendavathu Padam | --> | |
| 2013 | Naveena Saraswathi Sabatham | Himself | Special appearance | |||
| 2014 | Ninaithathu Yaaro | Himself | Special appearance | |||
| Vadacurry | Himself | Special appearance | ||||
| Nalanum Nandhiniyum | Himself | Special appearance | ||||
| Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam | Himself | Special appearance | ||||
| Theriyama Unna Kadhalichitten | Himself | Special appearance | ||||
| 2016 | Ennama Katha Vudranunga | Himself | Special appearance | |||
| 2017 | Mupparimanam | Himself | Special appearance | |||
| Vizhithiru | Dhileepan | |||||
| 2018 | Tamizh Padam 2 | Himself | Special appearance | |||
| 2019 | Kalavu | Inspector | direct-to-video on ZEE5 | |||
| 2020 | Lock Up | Moorthi | Released on ZEE5[30] | |||
| 2021 | Kasada Thapara | Samyuthan | Also co-producer | |||
| 2023 | Custody | Himself | Special appearance | |||
| Let's Get Married | Company Managing Director | |||||
| Adiyae | GK, Gautham Vasudev Menon | Dual roles | ||||
| Shot Boot Three | Swaminathan | |||||
| 2024 | Ranam Aram Thavarel | Himself | Guest Appearance | |||
| Nanban Oruvan Vantha Piragu | Anand’s co-passenger in flight | |||||
| Kadhal Conditions Apply | ||||||
| Year | Title | Song | Composer | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Anjali | Ilaiyaraaja | ||
| 1997 | Ullasam | "Cholare" | Karthik Raja | |
| 1998 | Kalyana Galatta | "Aadham Evaal" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| 2002 | Thulluvadho Ilamai | "Neruppu Kootadikkuthu" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| Kadhal Samrajyam | "Mullai Poo" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | ||
| 2003 | Enakku 20 Unakku 18 | "Oru Nanban Irundhal" | A. R. Rahman | |
| 2004 | Samba | "Nandamuri Chandamama" | Mani Sharma | |
| 2005 | Daas | "Ennoda Raasi" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| 2007 | Chennai 600028 | "Yaaro (Friendship)" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| 2008 | Thozha | "Oru Nayagan" | Premji Amaren | |
| 2009 | Kunguma Poovum Konjum Puravum | "Muthathu Pakkathile" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| Adhe Neram Adhe Idam | "Nammooru Chennaiyile" | Premgi Amaren | ||
| 2010 | Pugaippadam | "Oru Kudaiyil" | Gangai Amaran | |
| Thunichal | "Katikalama" | Premji Amaren | ||
| Goa | "Yezhezhu Thalaimuraikkum" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | ||
| Siddu +2 | "Naan Aalana Thamarai" | Dharan | ||
| 2012 | Veyilodu Vilayadu | "Kattukadanga" | Karthik Raja | |
| 2014 | Vanavarayan Vallavarayan | "Kongunattu Thendralukkum" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |
| 2016 | "Soppanasundari" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | ||
| 2023 | Mathimaran | "Ithu Nyayamo Iraiva" | Karthik Raja |