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.^[1] 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.

Venkat Prabhu
Prabhu in 2025
Born	Venkat Kumar Gangai Amaran (1975-11-07) 7 November 1975 (age 49) Madras, Tamil Nadu, India
Occupations	Film director Actor Playback singer
Years active	1997–present
Spouse	Rajalakshmi ​ (m. 2001)​
Children	2
Father	Gangai Amaren
Relatives	Premgi Amaren (brother) Ilaiyaraaja (uncle) Yuvan Shankar Raja (cousin) Bhavatharini (cousin) Karthik Raja (cousin)

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]

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,^[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,^[2] 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.

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,^[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]

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.^[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]Two years later he began working on Maanaadu (2021) starring Silambarasan and S. J. Suryah in lead roles. The film was released on 25 November 2021 to positive reviews from critics.^[19][20]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.^[21] The Film was released on 5 September to mixed reviews from critics.^[22]

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.^[23] 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 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.^{[citation needed]}

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.^[24][25][26]

Only people that have worked in three or more of his films are listed.

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)	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"
	Live Telecast	Web series on Disney+Hotstar
	Maanaadu
2022	Manmadha Leelai
	Victim	Anthology web series; segment: Confession[27]
2023	Custody	Simultaneously shot in Telugu
2024	The Greatest of All Time
TBA	Party †	Unreleased[28][29]

As producer

List of Venkat Prabhu film credits as producer

Year	Title	Notes
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"[30]
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[31]
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
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	[32]

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"
1998	Kalyana Galatta	"Aadham Evaal"	Yuvan Shankar Raja
2002	Thulluvadho Ilamai	"Neruppu Kootadikkuthu"
	Kadhal Samrajyam	"Mullai Poo"
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)"
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	Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings	"Soppanasundari"
2023	Mathimaran	"Ithu Nyayamo Iraiva"	Karthik Raja
2024	The Greatest of All Time	"Whistle podu theatrical"	Yuvan Shankar Raja
2025	Vallamai	"Magale En Magale"	GKV

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	[citation needed]

Television

• Idho Boopalaam
• Kundakka Mandakka
• Thedathey Tholaindhu Povai
• Kollywood Kings^[33]
• ARUN KUMAR