Prasanna

Prasanna Venkatesan, often credited mononymously as Prasanna, is an Indian actor who works predominantly in the Tamil cinema and alongside appeared in a few Telugu, Malayalam and Kannada films.

He made his first success in Five Star in 2002, which was produced by Mani Ratnam. Some of his other notable films are Azhagiya Theeye (2004), Kasthuri Maan (2005), Kanda Naal Mudhal (2005), Cheena Thaana 001 (2007) and Anjathe (2008). Apart from lead roles, he has also played villain and character roles. His film Achchamundu! Achchamundu!, was screened at many international film festivals.

Early life and background Prasanna was born in Tiruchirappalli. His father was an employee in BHEL and his mother is a homemaker. He completed his schooling from BHEL Matriculation Higher Secondary School, Tiruchirappalli. Prasanna was good at mimicry and acting, when he was in school and college. He had stated that he always wanted to become an actor. He was an EEE student in Saranathan College of Engineering, Tiruchirapalli, when he responded to an open audition for actors in Susi Ganesan's Five Star (2002), although his parents were unhappy with his decision. labelling his "voice modulation in the humorous scenes" as "impressive". Prakash Raj, impressed by his performance in the film, offered him the lead character in his next production Kanda Naal Mudhal, too. The comedy flick Cheena Thaana 001, co-starring Sheela and Vadivelu was his only 2007 release.

In 2008, Prasanna was seen in three films. He starred in Siddique's comedy thriller Sadhu Miranda. His role of a modern-day villain was a huge hit in Mysskin's film Anjathe (2008). His negative role was critically acclaimed and fetched him a nomination at the 56th Filmfare Awards South in the Best Supporting Actor category. Later that year, he starred in G. Marimuthu's Kannum Kannum. Regarding his performance, a critic noted that "Prasanna oozes sincerity and his ability to bring the Sathya and Murthy character to life with all the nuances of love, tenderness, humour and frustrations is one of the highlights of the film". He played the lead in Arun Vaidyanathan's Achchamundu! Achchamundu! (2009) opposite Sneha that dealt with the subject of paedophiles. It received rave reviews, and was very well received internationally, During the period, he also worked as a voice actor, speaking dubbing for Aryan Rajesh in Cheran's Pokkisham on the insistence of the director.

2010–2018

Then, alongside Sibiraj as antagonist, he starred in Shakthi Soundar Rajan's Naanayam as a protagonist produced by S.P.B. Charan's Capital Film Works. In Bale Pandiya, directed by Siddharth Chandrasekhar, Prasanna was replaced by Vishnu Vishal. He was seen in a supporting role as a local gangster in Baana Kaathadi. A review from Times of India wrote that "with his eyes-to-die-for and underplayed violence, Prasanna easily steals the show". In 2011, he performed a lead role alongside director-actor Cheran in the thriller film Muran. His character, a "spoiled brat" and son of a millionaire, again had negative shades. He was also approached for Lucky Jokers, which he could not take due to his busy schedule with Muran. He has been approached to play a vital role in the Malayalam Vellaripravinte Changathi, but eventually did not star in the film. In 2013, he played a doctor in the Chennaiyil Oru Naal, a remake of the Malayalam film Traffic (2011). The film featured an ensemble cast and released to positive reviews. Regarding his performance, a critic stated that "Prasanna deserves special credit for playing a role that most actors would hesitate to take up".

2014 saw the release of Pulivaal and the long delayed Netru Indru; both films featured himself and Vimal in the lead. The former was directed by Marimuthu and was based on the Malayalam film Chaappa Kurishu (2011). While Pulivaal released to positive reviews, Netru Indru released to negative reviews. His subsequent films released to positive reviews: Pa. Pandi, Nibunan, Thupparivaalan, and Thiruttu Payale 2. His performance in Thirittu Payale 2 fetched him the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Tamil. He returned to Telugu cinema with Jawaan, which featured him as the antagonist and released to negative reviews. In 2018, he starred in Kaalakkoothu; he was cast after Shaam left the film. The film received mixed reviews upon release.

2019–present

In 2019, he marks the digital debut in the Television series Thiravam. Prasanna plays the middle-aged, socially awkward, grey-haired scientist. he then starred in the Telugu film Viswamitra and made his Malayalam debut with Brother's Day. Brothers Day released to mixed reviews. In 2020, Mafia: Chapter 1, received mixed reviews upon release followed by Naanga Romba Busy. In 2021, Prasanna is part of Project Agni from Navarasa, a science-fiction story in which he plays an ISRO scientist. In 2022, he appeared successively in television series such as Fingertip season 2, Victim and Mad Company. In 2023, he starred in Kannai Nambathey and the Malayalam film, King of Kotha. In 2024, he was seen in the Television series Cheran's Journey as well as the Hindi Ranneeti: Balakot & Beyond where he plays the role of Indian Air Force Wing Commander. The next, Prasanna joins the cast of Ajith Kumar's Good Bad Ugly (2025).

Personal life During the filming of Achchamundu! Achchamundu! it was reported that he fell in love with Sneha, but he denied the idea of marrying an actress.

Prasanna eventually married Sneha on 11 May 2012. The couple have two children.

Filmography

As actor Note: all films are in Tamil, unless otherwise noted.

As voice over artist

Television series

Television + List of Prasanna television credits Year Show Role Channel2010 Honeymoon Jodigal Host Sun TV 2018 Soppana Sundari Host Sun Life