# Venkat Prabhu

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. In addition, he also worked in Telugu Cinema. 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). 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.

## Early life and career
### 1996-2007

Following his return to India, Prabhu began singing for demos by his cousins, Yuvan Shankar Raja and Karthik Raja, 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, 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, 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, and Agathiyan's Kadhal Samrajyam, 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.

### 2007-2011

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, garnering high critical acclaim and becoming labelled a "cult classic" in the following years, 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, 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.

### 2013-2024

His next project, Biriyani (2013), starred Karthi and Hansika Motwani. After, Venkat Prabhu directed Massu Engira Masilamani (2015), with Suriya and Nayanthara in the lead role.He directed Chennai 600028 II, the sequel of the 2007 blockbuster Chennai 600028, and it was released on 9 December 2016 to positive reviews.Two years later he began working on Maanaadu (2021) starring Silambarasan and S. J. Suryah in lead roles. The film was released on the 25th November 2021 to positive reviews from critics.The action thriller 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. The Film was released on 5th September to mixed reviews from critics.

## Personal life

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. 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 11 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.

## Frequent collaborators

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.
Only people that have worked in three or more of his films are listed.
| Collaborator | Saroja(2008) | Goa(2010) | Mankatha(2011) | Biriyani(2013) | Massu Engira Masilamani(2015) | Maanaadu(2021) | Manmadha Leelai(2022) | Custody(2023) | The Greatest of All Time(2024) | Party(Unreleased) |
| Ajay Raj | (Cameo) | (Cameo) | | | | | | | | |
| Anjena Kirti | | | | | | | (Cameo) | | | |
| Aravind Akash | (Cameo) | | | (Cameo) | | | (Cameo) | | | |
| Ashwin Kakumanu | | | | (Cameo) | | | | | | |
| Badava Gopi | (cameo) | | | | | | | | | |
| Jai | (Cameo) | | | (Cameo) | (Cameo) | | | | | |
| Jayaprakash | | | | | | | | | | |
| Jayaram | | | | | | | | | | |
| Mahat Raghavendra | | | | (Cameo) | | (Cameo) | | | | |
| 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) | | | | | | | | | |
| Y. G. Mahendran | | | | | | | | | (Cameo) | |
| Yuvan Shankar Raja | | | | | | | | (1 song & score) | | |

## Filmography
### As director

List of Venkat Prabhu film directing credits :
| Year | Title | 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 on Disney+Hotstar |
| 2021 | Maanaadu | |
| 2022 | Manmadha Leelai | |
| 2022 | Victim | Anthology web series; segment: Confession |
| 2023 | Custody | Simultaneously shot in Telugu |
| 2024 | The Greatest of All Time | |
| TBA | Party † | Unreleased |

### As producer

List of Venkat Prabhu film credits as producer :
| Year | Title |
| 2016 | Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings |
| 2019 | RK Nagar |
| 2021 | Kasada Tabara |
| 2024 | Nanban Oruvan Vantha Piragu |

### As actor

List of Venkat Prabhu film acting credits :
| Year | Title | Role | Note |
| 1982 | Payanangal Mudivathillai | Himself | Uncredited appearance in the song "Thogai Ilamayil" |
| 2002 | April Maadhathil | Venkat | |
| 2003 | Vikadan | Rammohan's friend | |
| 2003 | Unnai Saranadainthaen | Kannan | |
| 2004 | Neranja Manasu | Machakaalai | |
| 2005 | Ji | Uma Shankar | |
| 2005 | Sivakasi | Ramalingam | |
| 2005 | Mazhai | Kasi | |
| 2007 | Vasantham Vanthachu | Kumaresan | |
| 2007 | Gnabagam Varuthey | Ramu | |
| 2008 | Vaazhthugal | Kalai | |
| 2008 | 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 |
| 2014 | Vadacurry | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2014 | Nalanum Nandhiniyum | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2014 | Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2014 | Theriyama Unna Kadhalichitten | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2016 | Ennama Katha Vudranunga | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2017 | Mupparimanam | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2017 | Vizhithiru | Dhileepan |
| 2018 | Tamizh Padam 2 | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2019 | Kalavu | Inspector | direct-to-video on ZEE5 |
| 2020 | Lock Up | Moorthi | Released on ZEE5 |
| 2021 | Kasada Thapara | Samyuthan | Also co-producer |
| 2023 | Custody | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2023 | Let's Get Married | Company Managing Director | |
| 2023 | Adiyae | GK, Gautham Vasudev Menon | Dual roles |
| 2023 | Shot Boot Three | Swaminathan |
| 2024 | Ranam Aram Thavarel | Himself | Guest Appearance |
| 2024 | Nanban Oruvan Vantha Piragu | Anand’s co-passenger in flight | |
| TBA | Kadhal Conditions Apply | TBA | |

### Music videos

| Year | Title | Role | Actors | Ref(s) |
| 2023 | High On Yuvan - ( Theme Song) | Music Video Director | Yuvan Shankar Raja, Premgi Amaren | |

### As singer

List of Venkat Prabhu film singing credits :
| Year | Title | Song | Composer |
| 1990 | Anjali | "Something Something", "Iravu Nilavu", "Motta Maadi", "Vaanam Namakku", "Anjali Anjali" | Ilaiyaraaja |
| 1996 | Alexander | "Koothadichu" | Karthik Raja |
| 1997 | Ullasam | "Cholare" | Karthik Raja |
| 1998 | Kalyana Galatta | "Aadham Evaal" | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| 2002 | Thulluvadho Ilamai | "Neruppu Kootadikkuthu" | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| 2002 | 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 |
| 2009 | Adhe Neram Adhe Idam | "Nammooru Chennaiyile" | Premgi Amaren |
| 2010 | Pugaippadam | "Oru Kudaiyil" | Gangai Amaran |
| 2010 | Thunichal | "Katikalama" | Premji Amaren |
| 2010 | Goa | "Yezhezhu Thalaimuraikkum" | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| 2010 | Siddu +2 | "Naan Aalana Thamarai" | Dharan |
| 2012 | Veyilodu Vilayadu | "Kattukadanga" | Karthik Raja |
| 2014 | Vanavarayan Vallavarayan | "Kongunattu Thendralukkum" | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| 2016 | Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings | "Soppanasundari" | Yuvan Shankar Raja |
| 2023 | Mathimaran | "Ithu Nyayamo Iraiva" | Karthik Raja |
| 2024 | The Greatest of All Time | "Whistle podu theatrical" | Yuvan Shankar Raja |

### As lyricist

List of Venkat Prabhu film credits as lyricist :
| Year | Film | Song | Composer | Notes |
| 2016 | Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings | "Soppanasundari" | Yuvan Shankar Raja | |

### Television

* Idho Boopalaam
* Kundakka Mandakka
* Thedathey Tholaindhu Povai
* Kollywood Kings
* ARUN KUMAR