Venkat Prabhu
Encyclopedia
Venkat Kumar Gangai Amaren (born on 7 November 1975), better known by his stage name Venkat Prabhu is an Indian filmmaker, who has worked as an actor, director
and playback singer
in the Tamil film industry
. 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 hogged 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) and Mankatha
(2011).
After completing his music degree from Trinity College of Music
, London
, Venkat Prabhu had the ambition to became a successful music director, however he could not achieve that target and instead started his career as a playback singer
in the film industry. He later became an actor and played the lead role in a film titled Poonjolai directed by his father Gangai Amaren, in 1997 alongside Sangeetha
, but the film was cancelled in the midst 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 his brother 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
-directorial Sivakasi
, featuring Vijay in the lead role.
In 2007, he ventured into film directing with the sports comedy 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 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, following the journey of four young men who, by taking a diversion off the main road, land into the hands of a kidnapper gang, received positive response from critics and at the box office as well. He followed it up with Goa
(2010) which received lukewarm response. He then signed on to direct Mankatha
, starring Ajith Kumar
in the lead role. now he have announced "Godha" as his new projcet which include the team of Chennai 600028.
and older brother to actor, singer and music director Premji 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 annur higher school in Chennai. On 10 September 2001, Venkat Prabhu married Rajalakshmi, the foster daughter of dance teacher K. J. Sarasa, and has a daughter named Shivani.
, Jai
, Shiva
, Vaibhav
and Sampath Raj
are among his most frequent acting collaborators.
Venkat's cousin, Yuvan Shankar Raja
, has composed the music for all his films, whilst another cousin, Vasuki Bhaskar, contributes as the costume designer. Duo Praveen and Srikanth have been Venkat's editors and Sakthi Saravanan
has served as cinematographer for all of Venkat's films.
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! class="collapsible" |Saroja
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! class="collapsible" |Mankatha
(2011)>
Premji Amaren
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Jai
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Shiva
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Vaibhav
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Aravind Akash
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Nithin Sathya
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Vijay Vasanth
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Film director
A film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
and playback singer
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
in the Tamil film industry
Tamil cinema
Tamil cinema is the film industry based in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India, dedicated to the production of films in the Tamil language. It is based in Chennai's Kodambakkam district, where several South Indian film production companies are headquartered...
. 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 hogged spotlight for the first time when he turned director with the summer hit Chennai 600028
Chennai 600028
Chennai 600028 is a 2007 Tamil sports comedy film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu, making his directorial debut. The film stars Shiva, Jai, Premji Amaran, Aravind Akash, Nithin Sathya and newcomers Ajay Raj, Ranjith, Vijay Vasanth, Prasanna, Karthik and Arun in the lead along with...
(2007). He achieved further commercial successes with his subsequent directorials Saroja (2008) and Mankatha
Mankatha
Mankatha is a 2011 Tamil action thriller film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu. It features Ajith Kumar in the lead role, starring in his 50th film, along with an ensemble cast including Arjun, Trisha Krishnan, Vaibhav Reddy, Lakshmi Rai, Andrea Jeremiah, Premji Amaren and Anjali...
(2011).
Career
After completing his music degree from Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music
Trinity College of Music is one of the London music conservatories, based in Greenwich. It is part of Trinity Laban.The conservatoire is inheritor of elegant riverside buildings of the former Greenwich Hospital, designed in part by Sir Christopher Wren...
, London
London
London is the capital city of :England and the :United Kingdom, the largest metropolitan area in the United Kingdom, and the largest urban zone in the European Union by most measures. Located on the River Thames, London has been a major settlement for two millennia, its history going back to its...
, Venkat Prabhu had the ambition to became a successful music director, however he could not achieve that target and instead started his career as a playback singer
Playback singer
A playback singer is a singer whose singing is prerecorded for use in movies. Playback singers record songs for soundtracks, and actors or actresses lip-sync the songs for cameras, while the actual singer does not appear on screen.-South Asia:...
in the film industry. He later became an actor and played the lead role in a film titled Poonjolai directed by his father Gangai Amaren, in 1997 alongside Sangeetha
Sangeetha
Sangeetha Arvind-Krish is an Indian film actress. Making her acting debut in the mid-90s, she is probably best known for her performances in the films Khadgam, Pithamagan, Uyir and Dhanam.-Early life:...
, but the film was cancelled in the midst 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
S. P. B. Charan
Charan Sripathi Panditharadhyula Balasubrahmanyam, better known and creditted as S. P. B. Charan , is an Indian actor, producer and a playback singer. Son of popular Indian singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam, he first worked as a playback singer in the Tamil and Telugu film industries...
and Yugendran
Yugendran
Yugendran is an Indian film actor and singer, who has sung more than 600 songs. He is also an occasional music director and host.- Personal life :...
, Wanted, directed by his brother Premgi Amaren, and Agathiyan
Agathiyan
Agathiyan is an acclaimed Tamil film director. He has won National Film Award for Best Directing as well as National Film Award for Best Screenplay in 1996 for the Tamil film Kaadhal Kottai...
's Kadhal Samrajyam
Kadhal Samrajyam
Kadhal Samrajyam is an unreleased Tamil comedy film which was shot from 2001 onwards. The film, directed by Agathiyan and produced by Panchu Arunachalam's son, Subbu Panchu, starred an array of children of famous actors and technicians...
, 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
N. Linguswamy
N. Linguswamy is an Indian film director, screenwriter and film producer, working primarily in Tamil cinema based in Chennai. He made his directorial debut with the family-drama Aanandham in 2001 and followed it up with the highly successful action films Run , Sandakozhi , Bheema and Paiyaa...
's Ji
Ji (film)
Ji is a 2005 Tamil action film directed by Linguswamy and produced by S. S. Chakravarthy. The film stars Ajith Kumar and Trisha Krishnan in the lead roles, while the score and soundtrack are composed by Vidyasagar...
, starring Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He began his career as a supporting actor in a Telugu film before gaining critical recognition in the Tamil thriller Aasai . A succession of high-grossing films followed where Ajith was usually depicted as a romantic hero, with...
, and the Perarasu
Perarasu
Perarasu is a Tamil film director. He has also been credited as an actor, music director, singer and lyricist in some of his ventures. He has mentioned that all his movies will be named after cities in Tamil Nadu, India. He is from Nattarasankottai, near Sivaganga in Tamil...
-directorial Sivakasi
Sivakasi (film)
Sivakasi is a Tamil action-masala film directed by Perarasu, starring Vijay, Asin and Prakash Raj in lead roles. Nayantara perform in an item number. The film's music is composed by Srikanth Deva. The film released during Diwali 2005 and was declared a "blockbuster". It was leter remade into...
, featuring Vijay in the lead role.
In 2007, he ventured into film directing with the sports comedy Chennai 600028
Chennai 600028
Chennai 600028 is a 2007 Tamil sports comedy film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu, making his directorial debut. The film stars Shiva, Jai, Premji Amaran, Aravind Akash, Nithin Sathya and newcomers Ajay Raj, Ranjith, Vijay Vasanth, Prasanna, Karthik and Arun in the lead along with...
, produced by S. P. B. Charan that revolved around a street cricket
Street cricket
Street cricket or gali cricket is a stripped-down version of the international sport of cricket, popular across the South Asia and in other cricket-playing nations. In the countryside, dried lakes and river beds are often used as playgrounds for cricket. In cities, it is played in apartment...
team from a suburban area in Chennai, with its players being portrayed by 11 newcomers, including his brother Premgi. The film emerged a sleeper hit
Sleeper hit
A sleeper hit, a.k.a. surprise hit , refers to a film, book, single, album, TV show, or video game that gains unexpected success or recognition...
, garnering high critical acclaim and becoming labelled a "cult classic
Cult Classic
Cult Classic is a Blue Öyster Cult studio recording released in 1994, containing remakes of many of the band's previous hits.-Track listing:# " The Reaper" - 5:05# "E.T.I...
" 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
Ensemble cast
An ensemble cast is made up of cast members in which the principal actors and performers are assigned roughly equal amounts of importance and screen time in a dramatic production. This kind of casting became more popular in television series because it allows flexibility for writers to focus on...
including Charan and Premgi. The film, following the journey of four young men who, by taking a diversion off the main road, land into the hands of a kidnapper gang, received positive response from critics and at the box office as well. He followed it up with Goa
Goa (film)
Goa is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu, who with the project, directed his third film following two previous successes...
(2010) which received lukewarm response. He then signed on to direct Mankatha
Mankatha
Mankatha is a 2011 Tamil action thriller film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu. It features Ajith Kumar in the lead role, starring in his 50th film, along with an ensemble cast including Arjun, Trisha Krishnan, Vaibhav Reddy, Lakshmi Rai, Andrea Jeremiah, Premji Amaren and Anjali...
, starring Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar
Ajith Kumar is an Indian film actor who works mainly in Tamil cinema. He began his career as a supporting actor in a Telugu film before gaining critical recognition in the Tamil thriller Aasai . A succession of high-grossing films followed where Ajith was usually depicted as a romantic hero, with...
in the lead role. now he have announced "Godha" as his new projcet which include the team of Chennai 600028.
Personal life
Venkat Prabhu is the son of director-cum-music-director Gangai AmaranGangai Amaran
Gangai Amaran is a Music director, Lyricist, Script writer, Actor and Film director in Tamil films. He is the younger brother of noted music director Ilayaraaja and father of actors Venkat Prabhu and Premji Amaren.-As script writer:...
and older brother to actor, singer and music director Premji Amaran. His uncle is the music director Ilayaraaja and his cousins are the music composers Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja is an Indian film score and soundtrack composer, singer and occasional lyricist. He has predominantly scored music for Tamil as well as several Telugu films. His musical career began in 1996, at age 16, as he composed the film score for Aravindhan...
, Karthik Raja
Karthik Raja
Karthik Raja is a Tamil musician from Chennai, India. He made his debut as music composer in the Tamil film Alexander.-Personal life:Karthik Raja is the eldest son of musician Ilaiyaraaja and Jeeva. His brother Yuvan Shankar Raja and sister Bhavatharini, who are also Kollywood music directors and...
and singer Bhavatharini
Bhavatharini
Bhavatharani is an Indian Tamil singer and music director. She is the daughter of film composer Ilaiyaraaja and her brothers are the noted film composers Karthik Raja and Yuvan Shankar Raja and has mostly sung songs under her father and her brothers' direction...
. S. P. B. Charan, producer of Prabhu's first directorial venture Chennai 600028
Chennai 600028
Chennai 600028 is a 2007 Tamil sports comedy film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu, making his directorial debut. The film stars Shiva, Jai, Premji Amaran, Aravind Akash, Nithin Sathya and newcomers Ajay Raj, Ranjith, Vijay Vasanth, Prasanna, Karthik and Arun in the lead along with...
, is his very close friend and they both have worked together on several projects.
He did his schooling at annur higher school in Chennai. On 10 September 2001, Venkat Prabhu married Rajalakshmi, the foster daughter of dance teacher K. J. Sarasa, and has a daughter named Shivani.
Recurring collaborators
Venkat Prabhu often casts certain actors more than once in his films. His younger brother PremjiPremji Amaren
Premji Amaren is a Tamil playback singer, film composer, songwriter and actor. Son of veteran film composer and singer Gangai Amaran, he often composes rap songs in Tamil cinema and is known for his comical performances in the Venkat Prabhu films Chennai 28, Saroja and Goa...
, Jai
Jai (actor)
Jai is a Tamil film actor. He is best known for his performances and appearances in the films Chennai 600028, Subramaniapuram and Engeyum Eppodhum. He is the nephew of music director Deva. Srikanth Deva is his cousin....
, Shiva
Shiva (actor)
Shiva is an Indian film actor, starring in Tamil films, and a radio jockey with the radio station Radio Mirchi. Acting mainly as a comedian, he rose to fame following his performances in the Venkat Prabhu directorials Chennai 600028 and Saroja....
, Vaibhav
Vaibhav Reddy
Vaibhav Reddy is an Indian film actor and model. Son of noted Telugu film director A. Kodandarami Reddy, he made his feature film debut with the 2007 Telugu film Godava under his father's direction...
and Sampath Raj
Sampath Raj
Dr.Sampath Raj is an Indian film actor who works primarily in the Tamil film industry. He is best known for appearing in each film of director Venkat Prabhu's comedy trilogy, consisting of Chennai 600028, Saroja and Goa. He has also acted in supporting roles in various other films. He is mostly...
are among his most frequent acting collaborators.
Venkat's cousin, Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja
Yuvan Shankar Raja is an Indian film score and soundtrack composer, singer and occasional lyricist. He has predominantly scored music for Tamil as well as several Telugu films. His musical career began in 1996, at age 16, as he composed the film score for Aravindhan...
, has composed the music for all his films, whilst another cousin, Vasuki Bhaskar, contributes as the costume designer. Duo Praveen and Srikanth have been Venkat's editors and Sakthi Saravanan
Sakthi Saravanan
Sakthi Saravanan is an Indian cinematographer, who works in the Tamil film industry. He is best known for his work in Venkat Prabhu directorials. He has done many Hit movies and became a Popular director like Chennai 600028,Saroja, Siva Manasula Sakthi, and Boss Engira Bhaskaran...
has served as cinematographer for all of Venkat's films.
! Actor
! class="collapsible" |Chennai 600028
Chennai 600028
Chennai 600028 is a 2007 Tamil sports comedy film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu, making his directorial debut. The film stars Shiva, Jai, Premji Amaran, Aravind Akash, Nithin Sathya and newcomers Ajay Raj, Ranjith, Vijay Vasanth, Prasanna, Karthik and Arun in the lead along with...
(2007)
! class="collapsible" |Saroja
(2008)
! class="collapsible" |Goa
Goa (film)
Goa is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu, who with the project, directed his third film following two previous successes...
(2010)
! class="collapsible" |Mankatha
Mankatha
Mankatha is a 2011 Tamil action thriller film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu. It features Ajith Kumar in the lead role, starring in his 50th film, along with an ensemble cast including Arjun, Trisha Krishnan, Vaibhav Reddy, Lakshmi Rai, Andrea Jeremiah, Premji Amaren and Anjali...
(2011)>
Premji Amaren
Premji Amaren is a Tamil playback singer, film composer, songwriter and actor. Son of veteran film composer and singer Gangai Amaran, he often composes rap songs in Tamil cinema and is known for his comical performances in the Venkat Prabhu films Chennai 28, Saroja and Goa...
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Jai (actor)
Jai is a Tamil film actor. He is best known for his performances and appearances in the films Chennai 600028, Subramaniapuram and Engeyum Eppodhum. He is the nephew of music director Deva. Srikanth Deva is his cousin....
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Shiva (actor)
Shiva is an Indian film actor, starring in Tamil films, and a radio jockey with the radio station Radio Mirchi. Acting mainly as a comedian, he rose to fame following his performances in the Venkat Prabhu directorials Chennai 600028 and Saroja....
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Vaibhav Reddy
Vaibhav Reddy is an Indian film actor and model. Son of noted Telugu film director A. Kodandarami Reddy, he made his feature film debut with the 2007 Telugu film Godava under his father's direction...
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Sampath Raj
Dr.Sampath Raj is an Indian film actor who works primarily in the Tamil film industry. He is best known for appearing in each film of director Venkat Prabhu's comedy trilogy, consisting of Chennai 600028, Saroja and Goa. He has also acted in supporting roles in various other films. He is mostly...
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Aravind Akash
Aravind Akash is an Indian actor who has acted in TV shows as well as Tamil and Malayalam films.-Career:...
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Nithin Sathya
Nithin Sathya , is a Tamil film actor from Chennai. His first notable role was in Chennai 600028 . Since then he has been cast as a villain in Satham Podathey and in supporting roles in films like Raman Thediya Seethai. He has played the lead role in Pandhayam and Muthirai .- Filmography :-...
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Vijay Vasanth
Vijay Vasanth is an Tamil film actor and model. He is the son of entrepreneur H. Vasanthakumar.-Filmography:-External links:...
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Direction
| Year | Film | Language | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | Chennai 600028 Chennai 600028 Chennai 600028 is a 2007 Tamil sports comedy film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu, making his directorial debut. The film stars Shiva, Jai, Premji Amaran, Aravind Akash, Nithin Sathya and newcomers Ajay Raj, Ranjith, Vijay Vasanth, Prasanna, Karthik and Arun in the lead along with... |
Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
Vijay Award for Best Find of the Year Vijay Award for Best Find of the Year The Vijay for Best Find of the Year is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won.-Nominations:... Vijay Award for Best Crew Vijay Award for Best Crew The Vijay for Best Crew is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won.... Nominated—Vijay Award for Best Director Vijay Award for Best Director The Vijay for Best Director is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil films.-The list:Here is a list of the award winners and the films for which they won.-Nominations:*2007 Vetrimaaran - Polladhavan... Nominated—Vijay Award for Best Story, Screenplay Writer |
| 2008 | Saroja | Tamil Tamil language Tamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... |
Nominated—Vijay Award for Favourite Director Vijay Award for Favourite Director The Vijay Award for Favorite Director is given by STAR Vijay as part of its annual Vijay Awards ceremony for Tamil films.-Winners and nominations:*2006 K. S. Ravikumar-Varalaru*2007 Prabhu Deva - Pokkiri... |
| 2010 | Goa Goa (film) Goa is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu, who with the project, directed his third film following two previous successes... |
Tamil | Edison Award for Best Romantic Film |
| 2011 | Mankatha Mankatha Mankatha is a 2011 Tamil action thriller film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu. It features Ajith Kumar in the lead role, starring in his 50th film, along with an ensemble cast including Arjun, Trisha Krishnan, Vaibhav Reddy, Lakshmi Rai, Andrea Jeremiah, Premji Amaren and Anjali... |
Tamil | |
| 2011 | Godha Godha The Godha are Hindu caste found in the state of Gujarat in India. They are also known as Gondha and Gonda. The Godha use Dengar as a community surname.-History and origin:... |
Tamil | planing |
Acting
| Year | Movie | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | April Maadhathil | Kadhir's friend | |
| Vikatan | Harish's friend | ||
| 2003 | Unnai Saranadainthaen | Tamil | |
| 2004 | Neranja Manasu | ||
| 2005 | Ji Ji (film) Ji is a 2005 Tamil action film directed by Linguswamy and produced by S. S. Chakravarthy. The film stars Ajith Kumar and Trisha Krishnan in the lead roles, while the score and soundtrack are composed by Vidyasagar... |
Uma | |
| Sivakasi Sivakasi (film) Sivakasi is a Tamil action-masala film directed by Perarasu, starring Vijay, Asin and Prakash Raj in lead roles. Nayantara perform in an item number. The film's music is composed by Srikanth Deva. The film released during Diwali 2005 and was declared a "blockbuster". It was leter remade into... |
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| Mazhai Mazhai Mazhai is a Tamil film directed by S.Rajkumar. It is a remake of the multi award-winning Telugu film Varsham starring Prabhas, Trisha and Gopichand. The remake stars Jayam Ravi, Shriya, Vadivelu, Kalabhavan Mani, Venkat Prabhu and Rahul Dev... |
Kasi | ||
| 2007 | Vasantham Vandhachu | Kumaresan | |
| Gnabagam Varuthey | Ramu | ||
| 2008 | Vaazhthugal Vaazhthugal Vaazhthugal is a 2008 Indian Tamil drama film written and directed by Seeman of Thambi fame. The film stars Madhavan and Bhavana in lead roles along with Venkat Prabhu, Ilavarasu, Na. Muthusamy and R. K, who play supporting roles. Produced by Siva for Amma Creations and with music scored by Yuvan... |
Kalai | |
| Saroja | Cameo appearance | ||
| 2010 | Goa Goa (film) Goa is a 2010 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Venkat Prabhu, who with the project, directed his third film following two previous successes... |
Cameo appearance |