Prem Kumar, known simply as Prem and Nenapirali Prem, is a Kannada actor and director. He made his debut in the film industry with the movie ‘Pran’, which was released in 2004. He achieved great success with the movie ‘Nenapirali’ in 2005. For this movie, he won his first Filmfare Award for Best Actor. He earned the title of Lovely Star for his performance in romantic films. In addition to acting, he produced the movie ‘Pallakki’ in 2007. In 2013, he won his second Filmfare Award for his performance in the movie ‘Charminar’.
| Atrribute | Details |
| Born | 18 April 1976 |
| Activ Years | 2004 – Present |
| Spouse | Jyoti |
| Children | 2 |
| First Movie | ‘Pran’ ( 2004 ) |
Personal Life
Prem Kumar was born in 1976 in Bangalore to a power loom weaver father. His father was a movie buff. After completing his higher secondary from a government school, he joined ITI but was cheated there. Later, he started working in his father’s power loom. Apart from working, he used to watch films and also go to theatres with his father.
A friend of his worked as a driver for director T. N. Seetharam. It was on the recommendation of his friend that he got a chance to work on his screen in movies. His acting journey started in 2001 with the TV serial ‘Seetharamer Manvantar’. He also acted in an episode of another TV serial ‘Ardh Satya’.
Acting Career
( 2004 – 2010 )
Prem Kumar made his acting debut in 2004 with the movie ‘Pran’ directed by newcomer Prakash. Despite receiving positive reviews, the movie did not last more than 4 weeks at the box office. Prem acted in the commercially successful movie ‘Nenapirali‘ in 2005. He won his first Filmfare Award for his work in this movie. The movie created such a stir among the audience that they associated the name of the movie with the name of actor Prem. In 2006, he worked in the movie ‘Jothe Jotheali’.
In 2007, Prem founded his own production company ‘P2 Productions’ and directed his first movie ‘Pallakki’. In the movie, he acted opposite actress Ramanithu Chowdhury. In the same year, he acted in a romantic drama ‘Savi Savi Nenapu’. Towards the end of the year, he worked in the drama ‘Gunavantha’. His self-produced movie ‘Honganaasu’ was released in 2008. In 2009, Prem acted in the film ‘Gotham’, a remake of the Tamil film ‘Aha’. In 2010, he starred in the film ‘Jothegara’.
( 2011 – 2020 )
Prem Kumar made his debut in a cameo role in the multi-starrer film ‘Eradane Madhuve‘ in 2011. The same year, he acted in the film ‘I Am Sorry Mathe Banni Prithsona’. The other film of the year was ‘Dhan Dhana Dhan’, which was not a commercial success. In 2013, he acted in the film ‘Chandra’ directed by Roopa Iyer. The film was not a hit at the Tamil box office. He then worked in the film ‘R. Chandru’s Charminar’ and the film was a box office success. He won his second Filmfare Award for his performance in this film.
His films ‘Shatru’ and ‘Aathi Aparupa’ were released in 2014. In 2014, he worked in the film ‘Shatru’ and ‘Aathi Aparupa’, the film was a hit and Prem won an award for it. Prem’s film ‘Mel’ was released in 2015, where he was seen opposite R. Chandru in Amulye Ke. The same year, he acted in the movie ‘Ring Road’. In 2016, he played a lead role in ‘Mast Mohabbat’. In 2017, he acted again in the multi-starrer movie ‘Chowka’. The movie became the highest-grossing movie of the year.
In the same year, he acted in a romantic drama ‘Dalpati’. Later, he acted in the movie ‘Life Jothe Ondu Selfie’. After that, he returned with a 2-year break in 2019 with the movie ‘Yazmaan’.
( 2021 – Present )
Prem’s 25th movie ‘Premam Pujam’ was released which was a huge hit at the box office. After that, he went on a break for 3 years. He came to fame with the drama ‘Appa I Love You’ which was released in 2024. The drama did not have much impact on the audience.
Awards
- Win Filmfare Awards For Best Actor on 2005 & 2013
