Prakash Raj in limelight as never before

After playing baddie in the Telugu and Tamil versions of Pokiri, Prakash Raj has successfully terrorised the Bollywood audiences too with his intense, villainous act in the film’s Hindi version, Wanted. In fact, after his role as Ghani Bhai won him great critical acclaim, the actor has snagged a couple of cool Bollywood projects. What is being touted as Prakash Raj’s “big Bollywood debut” however, is not really his first film in B-town. The “character actor” was earlier seen in films like Shakti – The Power, Khakee and Shart. However, it was Wanted that gave him his much-needed Bollywood break, admits the South star. “People in Mumbai are recognising me only now. Many are coming up to me and congratulating me. The movie’s done well and I am happy for Salman bhai too,” he says. It’s not just Bollywood glory that Prakash Raj is basking in. Ever since he won the National Award for best actor for his stellar performance in Priyadarshan’s Kanchivaram this year, he has been in the limelight like never before. What made this win all the more special was the fact that he was competing with the likes of Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan and Mohan Lal, who were nominated in the same category. Prakash Raj, who has won four National Awards so far, however, wishes to make it clear that his win does not make him “greater than any of the other actors in the race”. “I read some reports which said ‘South Indian actor beats Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan to win the National Award’. Me winning this award in no way takes away from Shah Rukh the success he has earned. It doesn’t mean SRK was bad. And neither does it challenge what Aamir has achieved. I just happened to get a great movie like Kanchivaram. Let’s just say, we all are from one family and this year happened to my birthday,” quips Prakash, who was recently in Mumbai to celebrate the success of the film, which will be re-released soon across the country. (With inputs from Sanskriti Media Entertainment ) - D C