Prabhu Deva is an Indian dance choreographer, film director, producer and actor, who has worked in Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam and Kannada films. In a career spanning 28 years, he has performed and designed a wide range of dancing styles and has predominantly acted in Tamil films. He made his debut as a boy playing a flute in the song "Panivizhum Iravu", from the Tamil film Mouna Ragam (1986). [1] After several appearances as a dancer, he made his debut as a lead actor in Pavithran's Indhu. He made his career breakthrough in his second film Kadhalan (1994) directed by S. Shankar. Prabhu Deva acted as a college student who loves the daughter of state governor, who has ties with a terrorist. The film was a commercial success and critics lauded Prabhu Deva's choreography and his dance sequences in the songs "Mukkabla" and "Urvasi Urvasi", became very popular. [2] [3]
Prabhu Deva featured in several commercially successful films like Minsara Kanavu (1997) and VIP (1997), where for the former he went on to win the National Film Award for Best Choreography for his work in the songs "Strawberry Kannae" and "Vennilave". [4] He was critically acclaimed for his performance in the comedy Kaathala Kaathala (1998), co-starring with Kamal Haasan. [5] [6] Despite the successful ventures like Eazhaiyin Sirippil (2000) and Sundar C's Ullam Kollai Poguthae (2001), Deva was unable to recreate the success he had in his earlier years and many of his films didn't perform well financially. [7]
In the year 2005, Prabhu Deva made his debut as a director in the Telugu film Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana. [8] The film received critical acclaim and went on to become a blockbuster. The film was remade in seven languages and it is considered as the first Indian movie to do so. The movie won 9 Filmfare awards including a Best Choreographer award for Prabhudeva. [9] Following the success of his directorial ventures, Deva started to prioritize directing to acting. Occasionally he starred as a lead in dance films like Style (2006), ABCD (2013) and its sequel ABCD 2 (2015). [10] [11]
Prabhu Deva established the production company Prabhu Deva Studios and produced the film Devi , which was directed by A. L. Vijay in the year 2016. The film marked the return of Deva to Tamil cinema as an actor after a 11-year hiatus. [12] The film was acclaimed critically and was a financial success at the box office. After the success of the film, Deva appeared in Gulaebaghavali , silent film Mercury and Lakshmi in the year 2018. [13] [14] In the year 2019, Deva had a line up of sequel films including Charlie Chaplin 2, a sequel to Deva's Charlie Chaplin , and Devi 2. [15] [16] Both the films were met with negative reviews and failed commercially. [17] [18]
† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Year | Film | Language | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|
2005 | Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana | Telugu | [19] |
2006 | Pournami | Telugu | [20] |
2007 | Pokkiri | Tamil | [21] |
Shankar Dada Zindabad | Telugu | [22] | |
2009 | Villu | Tamil | [23] |
Wanted | Hindi | [24] | |
2011 | Engeyum Kaadhal | Tamil | [25] |
Vedi | Tamil | [26] | |
2012 | Rowdy Rathore | Hindi | [27] |
2013 | Ramaiya Vastavaiya | Hindi | [28] |
R... Rajkumar | Hindi | [29] | |
2014 | Action Jackson | Hindi | [30] |
2015 | Singh Is Bliing | Hindi | [31] |
2019 | Dabangg 3 | Hindi | [32] |
2021 | Radhe | Hindi | [33] |
2024 | Dabangg 4 | Hindi | |
2025 | Vijay Kanthaswamy | Hindi | |
Year | Film | Language | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Devi | Tamil | |
2017 | Bogan | Tamil | |
2018 | Sometimes | Tamil | Alternatively titled Sila Samayangalil Netflix film |
† | Denotes films that have not yet been released |
Year | Film | Role | Language | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1994 | Indhu | Chinnasamy (Pattasu) | Tamil | ||
Kaadhalan | Prabhu | Tamil | [34] | ||
1995 | Raasaiyya | Raasaiyya | Tamil | [35] | |
1996 | Love Birds | Arun / David | Tamil | ||
Mr. Romeo | Romeo, Madras | Tamil | |||
1997 | Minsara Kanavu | Deva | Tamil | [36] | |
VIP | Guru | Tamil | [37] | ||
1998 | Naam Iruvar Nammaku Iruvar | Prabhu / Deva | Tamil | [38] | |
Love Story 1999 | Vamsi | Telugu | |||
Kaathala Kaathala | Sundaralingam | Tamil | |||
1999 | Ninaivirukkum Varai | Janakiraman (Johnny) | Tamil | [39] | |
Suyamvaram | Kanna | Tamil | [40] | ||
Time | Srininvasa Murthy | Tamil | |||
2000 | Vaanathaippola | Selvakumar | Tamil | ||
Eazhaiyin Sirippil | Ganesan | Tamil | |||
James Pandu | James | Tamil | |||
Pennin Manathai Thottu | Sunil | Tamil | [41] | ||
Doubles | Prabhu | Tamil | |||
2001 | Nila Kaalam | Ashok | Tamil | Television film; Guest appearance | [42] |
Ullam Kollai Poguthae | Anbu | Tamil | [43] | ||
Alli Thandha Vaanam | Sathyam | Tamil | [44] | ||
Manadhai Thirudivittai | Deva | Tamil | [45] | ||
2002 | Charlie Chaplin | Thiru | Tamil | ||
H2O | Vairamuthu | Kannada | |||
Santosham | Pawan | Telugu | |||
One Two Three | Tirupathi | Tamil | [46] | ||
Manasella Neene | Himself | Kannada | Guest appearance | [47] | |
Agni Varsha | Rakshasha | Hindi | [48] | ||
Thotti Gang | Suri Babu | Telugu | |||
2003 | Kalyana Ramudu | Rajesh | Telugu | [49] | |
Alaudin | Alaudin | Tamil | |||
Oka Radha Iddaru Krishnula Pelli | Murugan | Telugu | |||
2004 | Engal Anna | Kannan | Tamil | ||
Tapana | Venu | Telugu | |||
Intlo Srimathi Veedhilo Kumari | Gopal | Telugu | [50] | ||
Andalu Dongale Dorikithe | Bujji | Telugu | |||
2006 | Style | Ganesh | Telugu | [51] | |
Chukkallo Chandrudu | Sharat | Telugu | Guest appearance | [52] | |
Naayudamma | Prabhu | Telugu | [53] | ||
2007 | Prarambha | Puttaswamy Gowda | Kannada | Short film | [54] |
2008 | Michael Madana Kamaraju | Michael, Ravi | Telugu | ||
2011 | Urumi | Vavvali | Malayalam | [55] | |
2013 | ABCD | Vishnu | Hindi | [56] | |
2014 | Happy New Year | Dance instructor | Hindi | Guest appearance | [57] |
2015 | ABCD 2 | Vishnu | Hindi | [58] | |
2016 | Devi | Krishna Kumar | Tamil | Trilingual film; Also producer | [59] |
Abhinetri | Telugu | [60] | |||
Tutak Tutak Tutiya | Hindi | [61] | |||
2017 | Kalavaadiya Pozhuthugal | Porchezhiyan | Tamil | [62] | |
2018 | Gulaebaghavali | Badri | Tamil | [63] | |
Mercury | Blind man | Silent | [64] | ||
Lakshmi | Vijay Krishna aka Krishna / VK | Tamil | Partially reshot in Telugu | [65] | |
2019 | Charlie Chaplin 2 | Thiru | Tamil | [66] | |
Devi 2 | Krishna Kumar / Alex Britto / Ranga Reddy | Tamil | Bilingual film | [67] | |
Abhinetri 2 | Telugu | [68] | |||
Khamoshi | Dev | Hindi | [69] | ||
2020 | Street Dancer 3D | Anna / Ram Prasad | Hindi | [70] | |
2021 | Pon Manickavel | Pon Manickavel | Tamil | 50th Film | [71] |
2022 | Theal | Durai | Tamil | [72] | |
My Dear Bootham | Karkimuki, the Genie | Tamil | [73] | ||
Poikkal Kuthirai | Kathiravan | Tamil | [74] | ||
2023 | Bagheera | Bagheera Muralidharan | Tamil | [75] | |
2024 | Karataka Damanaka | Basavaraju / Damanaka | Kannada | [76] | |
Petta Rap† | TBA | Tamil | Filming | [77] | |
Kathanar – The Wild Sorcerer † | TBA | Malayalam | Filming | [78] | |
Flashback† | TBA | Tamil | Filming | [79] | |
The Greatest of All Time † | TBA | Tamil | Releasing on September 5 | [80] | |
Musasi † | TBA | Tamil | Filming | [81] | |
Wolf† | TBA | Tamil | Filming | [82] | |
2025 | Maharagni- Queen of Queens † | TBA | Hindi | Filming | [83] |
Year | Film | Song | Language | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
1988 | Jeeva | "Abracadabra" | Tamil | |
1990 | Michael Madana Kama Rajan | "Rum Bum Bum Arambum" | Debut Tamil film as choreographer. Credited as S. Prabhu. | |
1991 | Adhikari | "Naiyaandi Melam" | ||
Idhayam | "April Mayile" | |||
1992 | Unnai Vaazhthi Paadugiren | "Ippodhum Nippen" | ||
Suriyan | "Laalaku Dol Dappima" | |||
1992 | Johnnie Walker | Shanthamee Rathriyil | Malayalam | Debut Malayalam film as choreographer |
1993 | Prathap | "Maanga Maanga" | Tamil | |
Rakshana | "Gallu Mandhi Basu" | Telugu | ||
Ezhai Jaathi | "Koduthalum Koduthanda" | Tamil | ||
Gentleman | "Chikku Bukku Rayile" | |||
Walter Vetrivel | "Chinna Raasave" | |||
2000 | Pukar | "Kay Sera Sera" | Hindi | |
2002 | Baba | "Kichchu Tha" | Tamil | |
Shakti | "Dumroo Baje Re" | Hindi | ||
2004 | Aabra Ka Daabra [84] | "Shiv Om" | ||
2005 | Nuvvostanante Nenoddantana | "Paripoke Pitta" | Telugu | |
2006 | Pournami | "Koyo Koyo" | ||
2007 | Pokkiri | "Aadungada" | Tamil | |
Shankardada Zindabad | "Jagadeka Veeruniki" | Telugu | ||
2008 | Vaana | "Unnattaa Lenattaa" | ||
2009 | Villu | "Rama Rama" | Tamil | |
Wanted | "Jalwa" | Hindi | ||
2010 | Pa. Ra. Palanisamy | "Netru Adhu" | Tamil | |
2011 | Engeyum Kaadhal | "Engeyum Kaadhal" | ||
2012 | Dhoni | "Vaangum Panathukkum" | ||
Dhoni | "Mattiloni Chettu" | Telugu | ||
Rowdy Rathore | "Chinta Ta Chita" | Hindi | ||
Oh My God | "Govinda" | |||
2013 | Ramaiya Vastavaiya | "Jadoo Ki Jhappi" | ||
Boss | "Hum Na Tode" | |||
R... Rajkumar | "Gandi Baat" | |||
2014 | Action Jackson | "AJ" | ||
2019 | Dabangg 3 | "Munna Badnaam Hua" | ||
2022 | Lucky Man | "Baaro Raja" | Kannada | |
Godfather | "Thar Mar" | Telugu |
Year | Film | Song | Language | Notes | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1999 | Suyamvaram | "Siva Siva Sankara" | Tamil | [85] | |
2001 | Ullam Kollai Poguthae | "Kingda" | Sang the chorus portions | [86] |
Year | Film | Song | Composer | Language | Ref. |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
2019 | Charlie Chaplin 2 | "Ivala Ivala" | Amresh Ganesh | Tamil | [87] |
2019 | Devi 2 | "Sokkura Penne" | Sam C. S. |
Prabhu Deva is an Indian dance choreographer, film director, producer and actor who has worked predominantly in Tamil, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada language films. In a career spanning 32 years, he has performed and designed dancing styles and has garnered two National Film Awards for Best Choreography. In 2019, he was awarded the Padma Shri for his contributions to dance.
Pokkiri (transl. Rogue) is a 2007 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by Prabhu Deva and produced by Kanagarathna Movies. It is the Tamil remake of the 2006 Telugu film Pokiri directed by Puri Jagannadh. The film stars Vijay in the lead role alongside Asin, Prakash Raj, Nassar, Mukesh Tiwari, Vadivelu, Sriman, Anandaraj, Napoleon, Vincent Asokan, Subbaraju and Master Bharath. The film is about a young IPS officer who works for Police Commissioner Mohammed Maideen Khan IPS and goes undercover as a rogue to take out the anti-socials.
Ayan (transl. Creator) is a 2009 Indian Tamil-language action film directed by K. V. Anand and produced by M. Saravanan and M. S. Guhan. The film, starring Suriya, Prabhu, Tamannaah Bhatia, Akashdeep Saighal, Jagan, and Karunas. The film score and soundtrack was composed by Harris Jayaraj, edited by Anthony Gonsalvez, the film was filmed by M. S. Prabhu.
Jaikanth Sampath also known as Jai is an Indian actor and musician working in Tamil films. The nephew of noted composer Deva & the cousin of Srikanth Deva, Jai had made his acting debut in a supporting role in Bagavathi (2002). In 2007, he successfully auditioned for a leading role in Venkat Prabhu's sports film Chennai 600028. His movie Subramaniapuram (2008) was also a big success, and Jai was praised for his performance.
Nagendra Prasad is an Indian dance choreographer, actor and director who works in Tamil and Kannada films. He is the youngest son of dance master Mugur Sundar, and younger brother to popular cine artistes Prabhu Deva and Raju Sundaram.
Engeyum Kadhal is a 2011 Indian Tamil-language romantic comedy film written and directed by Prabhu Deva that stars Jayam Ravi and Hansika Motwani. Featuring music by Harris Jayaraj, it was produced by Kalpathi S. Aghoram and released on 6 May 2011 to mixed reviews. The story revolves around an Indian girl living in France who falls in love with an Indian man.
Thotti Gang is a 2002 Telugu-language comedy film produced and directed by E. V. V. Satyanarayana starring Allari Naresh, Prabhu Deva, Sunil, Gajala and Anita Hassanandani. The movie was released on 6 December 2002 to positive reviews and was declared a super hit at the box office. The film was based on 2001 American film Saving Silverman.
Devi (transl. Goddess) is a 2016 Indian trilingual comedy horror film co-written and directed by Vijay. It features Tamannaah Bhatia in the title role with Prabhu Deva and Sonu Sood in the lead roles and RJ Balaji, Saptagiri, Rajiv Thakur and Murali Sharma in supporting roles. In addition to Tamil, the film was also simultaneously shot in Telugu and Hindi titled Abhinetri (transl. Actress) and Tutak Tutak Tutiya, respectively.
Khamoshi (transl. Silence) is a 2019 Indian Hindi-language slasher film directed by Chakri Toleti and produced by Vashu Bhagnani and Deepshikha Deshmukh. The film stars Prabhu Deva as the lead antagonist, with Tamannaah Bhatia playing a deaf and mute protagonist. It is a remake of the delayed 2019 Tamil film Kolaiyuthir Kaalam, also directed by Toleti, which is itself a remake of the 2016 American film Hush. The film was theatrically released on 14 June 2019.
Mercury is a 2018 Indian horror thriller film written and directed by Karthik Subbaraj. It stars an ensemble cast including Prabhu Deva, Sananth Reddy, Remya Nambeesan, Indhuja Ravichandran, Deepak Paramesh, Shashank Purushotham, and Anish Padmanabhan, amongst others. Subbaraj presented the film under his own production banner Stone Bench Creations, whilst Jayantilal Gada of Pen India Limited distributed and co-produced the film. It is about the story of five friends who were terrorised by the ghost of a victim, maimed from mercury poisoning.
Lakshmi is a 2018 Indian Tamil-language musical dance film written and directed by A. L. Vijay. The film stars Ditya Bhande as the titular character along with Prabhu Deva and Aishwarya Rajesh in the lead roles alongside a supporting cast including Salman Yusuff Khan and Karunakaran. The film features music composed by Sam C. S. and cinematography by Nirav Shah. The film released on 24 August 2018 on the eve of Varalakshmi Vratam and based on the theme of goddess Lakshmi. The film was partially reshot in Telugu as Lakshmi with Satyam Rajesh replacing Karunakaran.
Charlie Chaplin 2 is a 2019 Indian Tamil-language action comedy film directed by Shakthi Chidambaram. The film stars Prabhu Deva, Nikki Galrani and Prabhu. The film is a sequel to 2002 film Charlie Chaplin. The music for the film is scored by Amresh Ganesh. The film is produced by T. Siva under the production banner Amma Creations. The film released on 25 January 2019 to negative reviews.
Pon Manickavel is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by A. C. Mugil of Kandaen fame. The film stars Prabhu Deva and Nivetha Pethuraj in lead roles. Music is scored by D. Imman. It is the 50th film of Prabhu Deva. The film was released on 19 November 2021. The film also marks the final film appearance of actor and director Mahendran, before his death on 2 April 2019. The film received negative reviews from critics.
"Rowdy Baby" is a Tamil language song composed by Yuvan Shankar Raja for the soundtrack of the 2018 action comedy film Maari 2 and sung by Dhanush alongside Dhee. The song was officially released on 28 November 2018 as a single from the film.
Theal is a 2022 Indian Tamil-language action film, an adaptation of the 2012 South Korean film Pietà, written and directed by Harikumar in his directorial debut and produced by K. E. Gnanavel Raja of Studio Green. The film stars Prabhu Deva and Samyuktha Hegde, with Easwari Rao, Yogi Babu, Shatru and Arjai in supporting roles. The film's music and score is composed by C. Sathya, with cinematography handled by Vignesh Vasu and editing done by Praveen K. L.
My Dear Bootham is an 2022 Indian Tamil-language children's fantasy comedy film written and directed by N. Ragavan, and produced by Ramesh P. Pillai under the banner of Abhishek Films. It stars Prabhu Deva as the title role with Ashwanth Ashokkumar.
Poikkal Kuthirai is an 2022 Indian Tamil-language action thriller film written and directed by Santhosh P. Jayakumar. It stars Prabhu Deva in the title role with Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Raiza Wilson, Prakash Raj, Baby Aazhiya, and John Kokken in other roles with Shaam in a cameo appearance. The music was composed by D. Imman, and the cinematography and editing handled by Ballu and Preethi Mohan respectively. The title of the film was announced on 4 August 2021.
Bagheera is a 2023 Indian Tamil-language psychological romantic thriller film directed by Adhik Ravichandran and produced by R. V. Bharathan. The film stars Prabhu Deva, Srikanth, Amyra Dastur, and Gayathrie. It revolves around a man who becomes a serial killer hunting women due to an incident from his childhood.
Karataka Damanaka is a 2024 Indian Kannada-language action drama film directed by Yogaraj Bhat, and produced by Rockline Venkatesh. The film stars Shiva Rajkumar, Prabhu Deva, Priya Anand and Nishvika Naidu in the lead roles. The title of the film is derived from the characters found in the "Mitra Bedha" book of Panchatantra.
Musasi is an upcoming Indian Tamil-language action thriller film directed by debutant Sam Rodrigues and produced by Joy Filmbox Entertainment. The film stars Prabhu Deva in the titular role, alongside Leona Lishoy, VTV Ganesh, John Vijay, Binu Pappu and Mahendran.