Prakash Raj: The greatest movie villain, comedian, character artist and storyteller

Sai Pallavi and Prakash Raj in Oor Iravu.Also, let’s not forget he is not only known for subtle acting, he is also commercially the most successful villain that the south Indian film industry has produced yet. He has acted in all four south Indian languages as well as in Hindi. He can be realistic and flamboyant at the same time. Who can forget Muthu Pandi from Ghilli? Or Gowri Shankar in Dil? You can’t help but crack-up looking at the way he reacts when he finds out the truth about his wife’s “distant relatives” at the end of Dil. Then there are Pokiri, Sivakasi, Ayya, Businessman and more?

It would also be a grave injustice to classify Prakash Raj as just a screen villains. While he is a pro at that, he can also tickle your funny bone. Think of his performances in the commercial potboilers, especially in the scenes where he begs the hero to spare his life. These climactic scenes have become a staple in mindless entertainers he does in Telugu cinema. Even if you see such scenes for the 100th time, his acting still gets you.

And he is the main comedian in Mozhi. Mind you, the film also had Brahmanandam in it and yet Prakash steals the show as a happy-go-lucky guy named Viji, who makes you grin and occasionally burst out laughing with his antics. He is not just one of the all-time greatest movie villains but also a brilliant comedian. And that’s just barely scratching the surface of his talent.

There’s more to him as an artist and storyteller.

Besides wickedness and humour, he can also make you feel a gamut of other emotions. He can leave you inspired as Tamizhselvan in Mani Ratnam’s Iruvar. He can show you how to be a good father and come to terms with the midlife crisis in Abhiyum Naanum. At the same time, he can make you ridicule him and admire him at once as a doting father in Bommarillu. He can make you feel the pain of a father, who’s worried about the dignity and safety of his daughter in Parugu. He can also show you how to be a better husband in O Kadhal Kanmani.

Some may call it a premature comment but we will stick our neck out and say it — Prakash Raj is a legend.