Prakash Raj is an Indian actor, producer, director and television presenter known for a long career in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi cinema. Celebrated for depth in supporting and lead roles, he moves between unsettling antagonists, humour and emotionally complex characters. His multilingual ability has made him a familiar figure across several Indian film industries.
Profile
Name: Prakash Raj
Real name: Prakash Rai
Nickname: No widely verified personal nickname
Profession: Actor, producer, director, television presenter
Date of birth: 1965-03-26
Birthplace: Bengaluru, Karnataka, India
Zodiac sign: Aries
Nationality: Indian
Gender: Male
Hometown: Bengaluru, Karnataka
Education: Studied commerce and participated in theatre during school years
School/college: St. Joseph’s Indian High School and St. Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru
Height: Approximately 1.75 m (reported)
Weight: Not reliably verified
Eye colour: Dark brown
Hair colour: Black, now often grey
Marital status: Married
Spouse: Pony Verma
Family: Parents Manjunath Rai and Swarnalatha Raj are named in public biographies; actor Prasad Raj is his brother. He has children from his relationships.
Net worth: No verified public figure; online estimates vary
Hobbies/interests: Theatre, filmmaking and social engagement
Biography and career
Born in Bengaluru as Prakash Rai, he began performing in theatre and television before building a film career. Director K. Balachander is widely credited with encouraging the professional surname “Raj.” This change became part of his public identity as he moved into Tamil cinema and expanded across South Indian film industries.
His career gained momentum with films including Duet, and he became known for performances that combine intensity with emotional detail. He has worked in Kannada, Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi and English-language productions. Across decades, he has portrayed police officers, family figures, politicians, comic characters and memorable antagonists.
Alongside acting, Prakash Raj has produced and directed films and appeared as a television presenter. He has received multiple national and regional awards, including National Film Awards and major South Indian cinema honours. He has also been outspoken on social and political subjects, making him a notable figure beyond the screen.
Unknown facts
- His birth name is Prakash Rai, and his professional surname became Raj following advice from filmmaker K. Balachander.
- He began with theatre and television before becoming a major film actor.
- He has acted in multiple Indian languages as well as English-language projects.
- He has worked as a producer and director in addition to acting.
- He has won several National Film Awards and regional cinema awards.
Editorial note: Weight and net-worth figures circulating online are not official disclosures and are not presented as verified.
