Prashanth

Prashanth Thiagarajan (born 6 April 1973), known professionally as Prashanth, is an Indian actor and businessman, known for his works predominantly in Tamil cinema. Besides Tamil films, he has also appeared in few Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam films. At the peak of his career in the late 1990s, Prashanth was one of the popular actors in South India. He has won a Kalaimamani Award from the Government of Tamil Nadu.
The son of actor-director Thiagarajan, Prashanth began his career at 17 by appearing in '' Vaigasi Poranthachu'' (1990) and went on to feature in other films including Balu Mahendra's '' Vanna Vanna Pookkal'' (1992), R. K. Selvamani's '' Chembaruthi'' (1992), K. Rushendra Reddy's '' Tholi Muddhu'' (1993), and Mani Ratnam's action-comedy '' Thiruda Thiruda'' (1993). Prashanth rose to stardom with Shankar's romantic comedy ''Jeans'' (1998) in which he played a dual role alongside Aishwarya Rai. The success of this film saw him garner opportunities to work in bigger film projects and in the late 1990s, he featured in a series of breakthrough films such as '' Kannedhirey Thondrinal'' (1998), '' Kaadhal Kavithai'' (1998), '' Jodi'' (1999), '' Parthen Rasithen'' (2000) and '' Piriyadha Varam Vendum'' (2001).

Early life

Prashanth was born on 6 April 1973 in Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. He is the son of Thiagarajan (actor and director) in Tamil films while his maternal grandfather Peketi Sivaram was an actor and an acclaimed director of Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films. His paternal cousin is fellow film actor Vikram. His mother tongue is Tamil.

He studied Computer Graphics and Multimedia and went to Trinity College of Music in London before embarking on an acting career. He completed his 12th grade and was enlisted in two medical colleges. His first intention was to be a doctor, but finally he decided to be an actor, like his father T. Thiagarajan, also producer and film director.

Prashanth owns a multi-storeyed jewelry mart in Panagal Park. He is also a trained pianist.

Career

Early roles (1990–1997)

Prashanth started off as a leading romantic hero in the 1990 film '' Vaigasi Poranthachu''. He then appeared in the Malayalam film '' Perumthachan'' written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair where he played the son of the title character. He also acted in '' Tholi Muddhu'' alongside Divya Bharti which was the remake of the Bollywood film '' Dil''.

Prashanth focused on Tamil and acted in '' Thiruda Thiruda'' (1993) directed by Mani Ratnam and music by A. R. Rahman. Prashanth used to be the chocolate boy of Tamil cinema during the 1990s and he plays a variation of that stereotype in portraying Azhagu. This is the most adventurous of Mani Ratnam's movies. The film also won National Film Award for Best Special Effects. At the end of the year, he play in the film '' Kizhakke Varum Paattu'' (1993). In 1994, he released three films like ''Rasa Magan'', '' Kanmani'' and '' Senthamizh Selvan''. These films had an average success. '' Aanazhagan'' (1995), his only movie of the year was directed by Prashanth's father and actor Thiagarajan. In the film, Prashanth disguises himself as a woman in order convince the landlady. The film revolves around Prashanth and his friends who search for a new house after being kicked out from the previous place. Prashanth is forced to dress in the drag after the landlady insists that the house only for a family man and not bachelors. ''Aanazhagan'' was very successful at the box-office. The comedy tracks are still remembered today, and a stellar performance of Prashanth as Lakshmi. In 1996, he co-starred in '' Kalloori Vaasal'' with Ajith Kumar. The film opened on 18 February 1996 to mixed reviews. ''Krishna'' (1996) and ''Mannava'' (1997) are also two medium success films.

Breakthrough and success (1998–1999)

Prashanth appeared in dual roles in the 1998 film, ''Jeans'' under the direction of S. Shankar. It was quite the commercial enterprise. It featured Aishwarya Rai as the lead actress. The role of the male lead was declined by Abbas and Ajith Kumar, before it ended with the chocolate boy. The film was a modern-day ''Twelfth Night'' adaptation. The film has been nominated several awards in the country. The film opened to Indian audiences on 24 April 1998 and was the most expensive film to be made in Indian cinema at that time. ''Jeans'' has been shot all over the world. One particular song ''Poovukkul'', says Shankar, has been filmed at the "seven wonders of the world", with Rai being referred to as "the eighth wonder of the world", with her beauty being no less than those wonders. It was later dubbed into Hindi and Telugu languages. He acted in two other romantic films that year, namely '' Kannedhirey Thondrinal'' and '' Kaadhal Kavithai''. In 1999, he acted in romantic family dramas movies, '' Poomagal Oorvalam'', '' Jodi'', '' Hello'' and '' Aasaiyil Oru Kaditham''.

At the peak of his career in the late 1990s, Prashanth appeared in stage events across the world for the Tamil diaspora titled "Prashanth Star Nite". Featuring him alongside actresses and comedians, the show was held in Singapore and then at Wembley Arena in London.

Career consolidation (2000–2005)

In 2000, he acted films in '' Good Luck'', '' Appu'', and '' Parthen Rasithen''. Parthen Rasithen was a commercial success. In 2001, he starred in '' Piriyadha Varam Vendum'' directed by Kamal which had a delayed release but was a success. He followed this with ''Star'', ''Chocolate'' and '' Majunu''.

Prashanth then collaborated with director Hari, making his debut, for the action drama film, '' Thamizh'' (2002). For this role, Prashanth worked out a lot, grew a beard and began smoking cigarettes to get into character. The film gained positive reviews upon release, with a critic noting the "Prashanth has matured into a performer of merit" and that "the transformation of a fun-loving, cheerful young man into a thug has been conceived well by director Hari and creditably executed by Prashanth".
The film became a box office success despite opening with little publicity, with positive word of mouth significantly helping the film's prospects. The success of the film prompted Prashanth to move away from romantic films and strive to work on more action drama films. His next release, Susi Ganesan's '' Virumbugiren'' had a delayed release in 2002, and won p