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Venkat Kumar Gangai Amaren (born 7 November 1975), better known by his stage name Venkat Prabhu, is an Indian filmmaker, actor and playback singer in Tamil films.[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]

Venkat Prabhu
Prabhu at Damaal Dumeel Audio Launch
Born	Venkat Kumar Gangai Amaran (1975-11-07) 7 November 1975 (age 47) Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupation	Actor, filmmaker, playback singer, lyricist
Years active	1997–present
Spouse(s)	Rajalakshmi (2001–present)
Children	2
Relatives	Premgi Amaren (Brother) Gangai Amaren (Father) Karthik Raja (Cousin) Yuvan Shankar Raja (Cousin) Bhavatharini (Cousin) Ilaiyaraaja (Paternal Uncle)

Early life and career

[4] Following his return to India, Prabhu began singing for demos by his cousins, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Karthik Raja,[5] 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,[2] which also featured Yugendran and Thaman as members,[6][7] 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,[8] 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,[9][10] and Agathiyan's Kadhal Samrajyam,[11][12] 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,[13][14] garnering high critical acclaim and becoming labelled a "cult classic" in the following years,[15] 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,[16] 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.[17]

His next project, Biriyani (2013), starred Karthi and Hansika Motwani.[18] After Venkat Prabhu directed Massu Engira Masilamani, with Suriya and Nayanthara in the lead role.[19]

He directed Chennai 600028 II, the sequel of the 2007 blockbuster Chennai 600028, and it was released on 9 December 2016 to positive reviews.[20]

Personal life

Venkat Prabhu is the son of director-turned-music-director Gangai Amaran and elder 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

Frequent collaborators

Venkat Prabhu frequently works with the same actors and crew members, most prominently Premji, composer Yuvan and editor Praveen.[22][23][24]

Collaborator	Chennai 600028 (2007)	Saroja (2008)	Goa (2010)	Mankatha (2011)	Biriyani (2013)	Massu Engira Masilamani (2015)	Chennai 600028 II (2016)	Live Telecast (2021)	Maanaadu (2021)	Manmadha Leelai (2022)	Party (TBA)	NC22 (2023)
Ajay Raj		(Cameo)	(Cameo)
Aravind Akash		(Cameo)			(Cameo)					(Cameo)
Ashwin Kakumanu					(Cameo)
Imman Ravikant
Jai		(Cameo)			(Cameo)	(Cameo)
Nithin Sathya		(Cameo)
Premgi Amaren										(as a music composer)	(as a music composer)
Shiva
Sampath Raj
Shanmugasundaram		(Cameo)
Silambarasan			(Cameo)
Subbu Panchu		(Cameo)
Vaibhav Reddy					(Cameo)	(Cameo)				(Cameo)
Vijay Vasanth		(Cameo)		(Cameo)	(Cameo)	(Cameo)
Vijayalakshmi		(Cameo)				(Cameo)

Filmography

As director and producer

Year	Film	Notes
2007	Chennai 600028	Vijay Award for Best Crew Vijay Award for Best Find of the Year Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Family Film
2008	Saroja
2010	Goa	Edison Award for Best Romantic Film
2011	Mankatha	ITFA Best Director Award Edison Awards – Best Director of the Year
2013	Biriyani
2015	Massu Engira Masilamani
2016	Chennai 600028 II
2021	Kutty Story	Anthology film; segment : "Logam"
2021	Live Telecast	Web Series
2021	Maanaadu
2022	Manmadha Leelai
2022	Victim	Anthology web series; segment: Confession[25]
2023	Party	Unreleased film
TBA	NC22	Shot simultaneously in Telugu; Tamil film debut

As an actor

Year	Film	Role	Note
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	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[26]
2021	Kasada Thapara	Samyuthan	Also co-producer

As singer

Film	Song	Composer	Notes
Anjali	"Something Something", "Iravu Nilavu", "Motta Maadi", "Vaanam Namakku", "Anjali Anjali"	Ilaiyaraaja
Kalyana Galatta	"Aadham Evaal"	Yuvan Shankar Raja
Ullasam	"Cholare"	Karthik Raja
Thulluvadho Ilamai	"Neruppu Kootadikkuthu"	Yuvan Shankar Raja
Samba	"Nandamuri Chandamama"	Mani Sharma
Daas	"Ennoda Raasi"	Yuvan Shankar Raja
Thunichal	"Katikalama"	Premji Amaren
Veyilodu Vilayadu	"Kattukadanga"	Karthik Raja
Kadhal Samrajyam	"Mullai Poo"	Yuvan Shankar Raja
Enakku 20 Unakku 18	"Oru Nanban Irundhal"	A. R. Rahman
Chennai 600028	"Yaaro (Friendship)"	Yuvan Shankar Raja
Kunguma Poovum Konjum Puravum	"Muthathu Pakkathile"	Yuvan Shankar Raja
Siddu +2	"Naan Aalana Thamarai"	Dharan
Adhe Neram Adhe Idam	"Nammooru Chennaiyile"	Premgi Amaren
Goa	"Yezhezhu Thalaimuraikkum"	Yuvan Shankar Raja
Pugaippadam	"Oru Kudaiyil"	Gangai Amaran
Thozha	"Oru Nayagan"	Premji Amaren
Vanavarayan Vallavarayan	"Kongunattu thendralukkum"	Yuvan Shankar Raja
Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings	"Soppanasundari"	Yuvan Shankar Raja

As lyricist

Film	Song	Composer	Notes
Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings	Soppanasundari	Yuvan Shankar Raja

Productions

Year	Film	Language	Notes
2016	Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings	Tamil
2019	RK Nagar	Tamil
2021	Kasada Thapara	Tamil

Television

• Idho Boopalaam[27]
• Kundakka Mandakka
• Thedathey Tholaindhu Povai[28]
• Kollywood Kings

References

External links

• Venkat Prabhu at IMDb

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