Indian composer and actor (born )
G. V. Prakash Kumar (born 13 June ) is an Indian music composer, playback singer, actor, and film producer known for his work in Tamil cinema.[3][4] His first film was S Pictures' Veyil () and he gained fame in Tamil films by the early s.[5][6] He made his debut in acting on through Darling.[7] He has won one National Award, three Filmfare Awards and three SIIMA Awards in his film career.[8]
Prakash Kumar is the son of G. Venkatesh and playback singer A. R. Reihana, who is the elder sister of music director A. R. Rahman.[9] His sister Bhavani Sre is also in the film industry.[10]
Prakash married his schoolmate, singer Saindhavi, in [11] The couple became parents to a daughter, Anvi, in [12] The couple announced their separation on 13 May [13][14]
He first appeared as a vocalist on the soundtrack of director S. Shankar's Tamil film Gentleman (), composed by his maternal uncle, A. R. Rahman. He has also contributed to some of Rahman's other projects.[15] He had also worked with Harris Jayaraj and sang two songs in Anniyan () and Unnale Unnale ().
G.V. Prakash's introduction as a film composer was in the critically acclaimed Tamil film Veyil () directed by Vasanthabalan and produced by director S. Shankar. His music in the film Madrasapattinam (), directed by A. L. Vijay was appreciated, especially his song "Pookal Pookum Tharunam".
He went on to win critical acclaim for his music in Selvaraghavan's fantasy action adventure film Aayirathil Oruvan (), National award winning Aadukalam () and drama film Mayakkam Enna (), which became his third collaboration that featured Dhanush in the lead role. The album's five songs were written by Selvaraghavan and Dhanush, with the pair also coming together to sing the song "Kadhal En Kadhal". The album also included the song "Pirai Thedum", which Prakash sang himself along with his fiancée, Saindhavi whilst another song "Voda Voda Voda", written and sung by Dhanush, was composed in just 5 minutes and recorded within an hour.[16] reviewed the soundtrack claiming that Prakash had "tried very hard to walk away from his comfort zone and provide the kind of edgy numbers Selvaraghavan demands, and has risen to the challenge".[17] Critics from entertainment portal cited that Prakash "reiterates his talent once again" and gave a verdict that the album is "intoxicating enough".[18]
In late September , a single track "Oru Murai", written by Thamarai and composed and sung by Prakash in R. S. Infotainment's Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal () was released. His subsequent releases include the political satire Saguni () and the background score of the Hindi crime film Gangs of Wasseypur and also composed Sunrisers Hyderabad's first anthem. Songs of the movie Darling () were hits. Especially "Vandha Mala", "Anbe Anbe" and "Sattunu Idi Mazhai".This is also the debut film for Prakash as an actor. Prakash's songs in Kaaka Muttai () were massive hits. "Karuppu Karuppu" song was on charts for a few months. "Karuppu Nerathazhagi" was a huge hit from Komban (). G.V. Prakash signed his 50th film with director Atlee that is Vijay's 59th, which is named Theri ().[19]
He also has compositions such as Vetrimaaran-Dhanush's Asuran () and Sudha Kongara-Suriya's Soorarai Pottru ().[20] G. V. Prakash Kumar wins the Best Music Director of the Year in the Osaka Tamil International Film Festival for Asuran.[21] And later, he won National Film Award for Best Music Direction (Background Music) and Filmfare Award for Best Music Director – Tamil for Soorarai Pottru.[22][23]
In , director A.R. Murugadoss approached Kumar regarding a potential acting venture. Prakash agreed to star in the project, however, the film later failed to take off. He subsequently signed on to appear in three films in quick succession, with the three entering production simultaneously. In order to further his acting ability, he took lessons from actor Aadukalam Naren and has noted that his stage performances as a singer were also helpful in demonstrating his potential as an actor.[24]
In , Prakash Kumar launched his own production house under the name "GV Prakash Kumar Productions". His first film Madha Yaanai Koottam, was directed by Vikram Sugumaran, a former assistant of Balu Mahendra.[25][26]
Prakash was going to make his acting debut in a film titled Pencil, opposite Sri Divya, where he will be playing a school student.[27] However, as Pencil's release was delayed, his first release became the horror film Darling. A remake of the Telugu film Prema Katha Chitram. Thereafter, Trisha Illana Nayanthara (). The film deals with the present day definition of love and the perspective of today's youngsters of both genders about love, relationship, virginity etc.[28] In , he appeared in Pencil and two comedies films Enakku Innoru Per Irukku and Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru. The next is Bruce Lee (). He acted in the climax sequence as cameo appearance with Silambarasan's Anbanavan Asaradhavan Adangadhavan (). In , he starred in Bala's action crime Naachiyaar. He acted in second role next to Jyothika. Then the comedy-drama, Semma released on May. In , he had five releases this year with Sarvam Thaala Mayam, Kuppathu Raja, Watchman, Sivappu Manjal Pachai and % Kadhal.
In , his film Vanakkam Da Mappilei was a direct to OTT release.[29] It was marks the second collaboration of G. V. Prakash and Rajesh after 's Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru.[30] Following Bachelor and Jail were released in December.[31] Later, films such as Selfie (), Ayngaran () and Adiyae () was released to positive reviews.[32][33][34]
| Year | Film | Channel | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Appanum Aathalum | Kalaignar TV |
| Year | Film | Song(s) | Lyrics | Co-Singer(s) | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Donga Donga | "Aakathayi Okkadanta" | Telugu song; composed by A. R. Rahman | |||
| Gentleman | "Chikku Bukku Rayile" | Composed by A. R. Rahman | |||
| Uzhavan | "Kaathu Kaathu Dinam Kaathu" | Composed by A. R. Rahman | |||
| "Maari Mazhai Peyaadho" | |||||
| May Madham | "Madrasai Suthi", "Palakkattu Machanukku" | Composed by A. R. Rahman | |||
| Bombay | "Kuchi Kuchi" | Composed by A. R. Rahman | |||
| Indira | "Ini Achamillai" | Composed by A. R. Rahman | |||
| Aasai | "Shockkadikuthu Sona" | Composed By Deva | |||
| Muthu | "Kuluvalilae" | Composed by A. R. Rahman | |||
| Suriya Paarvai | "Ganapathi Thatha" | Composed by S. A. Rajkumar | |||
| Mudhalvan | "Alagaana Ratchachiye" | Composed by A. R. Rahman | |||
| Anniyan | "Kadhal Yaanai" | Composed by Harris Jayaraj | |||
| Unnale Unnale | "Hello Miss" | Composed by Harris Jayaraj | |||
| Aayirathil Oruvan | "Indha Paadhai" | ||||
| Ullasa Utsaha | "Kanasinolage" | Kannada song | |||
| Aadukalam | "Yaathe" | ||||
| Va | "Unnai Kann", "Sharp Sharpji" | ||||
| Mayakkam Enna | "Pirai Thedum" | ||||
| Saguni | "Manasellam Mazhaiye" | Na. Muthukumar | Sonu Nigam, Saindhavi | ||
| Muppozhudhum Un Karpanaigal | "Oru Murai" | ||||
| Thaandavam | "Anicham Poovazhagi", "Adhigaalai Pookal" | ||||
| Sundarapandian | "Rekkai Mulaiththen" | Composed by N. R. Raghunanthan | |||
| Neerparavai | "Para Para" | Composed by N. R. Raghunanthan | |||
| Madha Yaanai Koottam | "Kona Kondakari" | Composed by N. R. Raghunanthan | |||
| Naan Rajavaga Pogiren | "Yaarivano" | ||||
| Udhayam NH4 | "Yaaro Ivan", "Vaa Iravugal" | ||||
| Annakodi | "Pothi Vacha" | ||||
| Biriyani | "Edhirthu Nil" | Composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja | |||
| Raja Rani | "Imaye", "Hey Baby" | ||||
| Thalaivaa | "Yaar Indha Saalai Oram" | Na. Muthukumar | |||
| JK Enum Nanbanin Vaazhkai | "Nee Enna Pesuvaai", "Facebook Login" | ||||
| Irumbu Kuthirai | "Penne Penne" | ||||
| Naan Sigappu Manithan | "Elelo", "Idhayam Unnai Theduthey" | ||||
| Kathai Thiraikathai Vasanam Iyakkam | "Pen Maegam Polavae" | Composed by Sharreth | |||
| Poriyaalan | "Kan Rendum" | Composed by M. S. Jones | |||
| Ugly | "Suraj Hai" | Hindi | |||
| Darling | "Anbe Anbe", "Sattena Idi Mazhai" | ||||
| Rajathanthiram | "Yen Idha Paarvaigal" | ||||
| Pencil | "Yaarai Polum", "Kangaliliae II", "LED Kannala II" | ||||
| Komban | "Appappa" | Shreya Ghoshal | |||
| Idhu Enna Maayam | "Iravaaga Nee" | Saindhavi | |||
| "Irukiraai" | Harini | ||||
| Kaaval | "Un Kannukullara" | Priya Himesh | |||
| Kaaka Muttai | "Edhai Ninaithom" | ||||
| "Karuppu Karuppu" | |||||
| Trisha Illana Nayanthara | "Bittu Padam Di" | Kalyani Pradeep, Saindhavi | |||
| "Yenachu Yedhachu" | Adhik Ravichandran | ||||
| Eetti | "Un Swasam" | MC Vickey, Maya | |||
| "Naan Pudicha Mosakutiye" | Shakthisree Gopalan | ||||
| Kadavul Irukaan Kumaru | "Gum Zaare" | Al Rufin, Malavika Sundar | |||
| "Hey Paathu Podi" | Grace Karunas, Ken Karunas | ||||
| "Nee Pona Theruvula" | M. C. Vickey, Vishnupriya Ravi | ||||
| Bruce Lee | "Sugar Mint-u Kari" | M. M. Manasi | |||
| Adra Machan Visilu | "Yaru Iva" | Namitha Babu | Composed by N. R. Raghunandan | ||
| Theri | "Eena Meena Teeka" | Pa. Vijay and Arunraja Kamaraj (RAP part) | Uthara Unnikrishnan | ||
| Mersal | "Mersal Arasan" | Vivek | Naresh Iyer, Sharanya Srinivas, T. G. Vishwaprasad | Composed by A. R. Rahman | |
| Naachiyaar | "Unna Vitta Yaarum Illa" | Priyanka | Composed by Ilayaraja | ||
| Lakshmi | "Ala Ala" | Saindhavi | Composed by Sam C. S. | ||
| Sarvam Thaala Mayam[49] | "Peter Beata Edhu" | Sathyaprakash, Arjun Chandy | Composed by A. R. Rahman | ||
| % Kadhal | "Kannum Kannum Plus" | Maalavika Sundar | |||
| "Oru Vaanam" | Andrea Jeremiah | ||||
| Party | "Thean Pudhu Thean" | Saindhavi | Composed by Premgi Amaren | ||
| Vanigan | "Vaadi Muttakanni" | Composed by Suresh Kumar T R and Bhuvanesh Selvanesan | |||
| Asuran | "Pollatha Boomi" | Yugabharathi | Dhanush, Ken Karunas, Teejay Arunachalam | ||
| Soorarai Pottru | "Usurey" | Maya Mahalingam | |||
| Login | "No Mattum Sollu" | Composed by Vibin R | |||
| Anandham Vilayadum Veedu | "Nee En Usuru Pulla" | Sivaangi | Composed by Siddhu Kumar | ||
| Bagheera | "Psycho Raja" | Ramya Nambeesan | Composed by Ganesan Sekar | ||
| Etharkkum Thunindhavan | "Vaada Thambi" | Vignesh Shivan | Anirudh Ravichander | Composed by D Imman | |
| Koogle Kuttappa | "Alai Alai" | Madhan Karky | Deepthi Suresh | Composed by Ghibran | |
| Yaanai | "Bodhaiya Vittu Vaale" | Arivu | Arivu, Santhosh Hariharan | ||
| Yaanai | "Yelamma Yela - Version 2" | Snehan | |||
| Poikkal Kuthirai | "Singley" | Composed by D. Imman | |||
| Parole | "Vaa Maa Thendral" | Madhan Karky | Composed by Rajkumar Amal | ||
| Aneethi | "Thikatta Thikatta Kadhalippom" | Kaviraajan Muthukumar | Yamini Ghantasala | ||
| Mathimaran | "Kaththi Koovudhu Kadhal" | Gnanakaravel | Saindhavi | Composed by Karthik Raja | |
| "Billion Kudhiraigal" | |||||
| Amigo Garage | "Kaar Irul" | Balamurali Balu | Sivaangi | [50] | |
| Kalvan | "Adi Kattazhagu Karuvaachi" | Maya Mahalingam, Ekadesi | |||
| Sooragan | "Thoduvaanam" | Composed by Achu Rajamani | |||
| Vaazhu Vaazha Vidu | "Cadbury Penne" | Karthik Mano | Composed by Karthik Mano | ||
| Saba Nayagan | "Babyma" | Ko Sesha | Sanjana Kalmanje | Composed by Leon James | |
| Lover | "Uyir Vaasame" | Composed by Sean Roldan | |||
| Ranam Aram Thavarel | "Ponnana Kannu" | Composed by Arrol Corelli | |||
| Dhonima | "Kaalam Oda" | S Gnanakaravel | Composed by EJ Johnson | ||
| Jolly O Gymkhana | "Oosi Rosy" | Sakthi Chidambaram | Composed by Ashwin Vinayagamoorthy |
International Single
| Year | Album | Song | Singer | Co-Singer | Lyrics | Composer | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High & Dry | High and Dry | G. V. Prakash Kumar | Julia Gartha | Julia Gartha | G. V. Prakash Kumar, Julia Gartha | First International Song by G. V. Prakash Kumar |
| Year | Song(s) | Composer | Singers | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vaadi En Chellakutty | Arul Raj | |||
| Hey Singari | Arul Raj | |||
| High & Dry | Julia Gartha | |||
| Love Kuthu | Barath Raghavan | G V Prakash Kumar | ||
| Kaakarattan | G V Prakash Kumar |
| † | Denotes films that have not yet been released |