Uday Prakash (actor)

Uday Prakash (actor) Biography

Uday Prakash was a noted character artist associated with Tamil and Telugu films. He gained popularity through the pivot role he played in Telugu blockbuster Karthavyam starring Vijayashanti. The movie was roughly based on the real-life story of Kiran Bedi, IPS Officer. Among his Tamil films, Prabhu – Khushboo starrer Chinna Thampi is his memorable role, where he played the brother of Khushboo. He is best known for portraying angry young man roles and grey shaded roles as well.

His real name is Manikandan. He was born in Ooty in 1964. He has been football player and team captain at Sacred Heart College, Tirupattur during his college days. He got his first break to movies through the Telugu hit – Karthavyam and gained attention through this film. The movie was dubbed to Tamil as Vyjayanthi IPS which gave him enough exposure to Tamil cine world also. Later he was seen portraying various character roles belonging to south Indian languages.

He made his Tamil film debut through Pudhu Pudhu Ragangal released in 1990 and gained quick recognition for portraying Khushboo’s brother in Chinna Thambi (1991). Later he predominantly worked in Tamil movies. Idhaya Vaasal, Kizhakku Karai, Mannan, Idhu Namma Bhoomi, Samundi, Chinna Jameen, Kattabomman, Uzhaipaali, Samundi, Veera, Mr. Romeo, Mettukudi, Periya Thambi etc are some of the noted roles he played on Tamil screen in the 1990s.

However he got addicted to heavy drinking, which affected his career as well. He lost many opportunities and was mounded with debts, which prompted him to leave Chennai. He was later spotted in a small hut and Nadigar Sangham took the responsibility to rehabilitate him. Actor Sarath Kumar gave him a role in his film Diwan in 2003 and he was later seen in a couple of Tamil movies. He once again lost in heavy drinking which took away his life one year later. He was only 50 then.

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Updated: February 21, 2016