Birthday special: Do you remember these Prakash Raj movies?

Prakash Raj, widely considered to be one of the most accomplished actors in the film industry, enjoys a strong fan following due to his powerful screen presence and engaging performances. The pan-India artiste has essayed a variety of roles—right from negative ones to those with dramatic intensity—and proved that being versatile comes naturally to him. On Friday, as Prakash Raj turns a year older, here is a look at five films that bear testimony to his talent.

Iruvar (Tamil, 1998)

Prakash Raj essayed the character based on the late Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M Karunanidhi in director Mani Ratnam’s political drama. The actor did justice to the challenging role and delivered what many consider to be the finest performance of his career. His scenes with Mohanlal, who played a character inspired by MGR, proved to be a highlight of the biggie.

Ghilli (Tamil, 2004)

The powerhouse performer played a Madurai-based faction leader in the action drama Ghilli and left fans asking for more with his work. Everything about his performance—right from the body language to the chilling expressions—was spot on. The Vijay-starrer garnered critical acclaim and emerged as a smash hit.

Bommarillu (Telugu, 2006)

Bommarillu was a comedy-drama that revolved around the bond between a young man (Siddharth) and his ‘bossy’ father (Prakash Raj). The Singham baddie delivered an effortless performance, which added a new life to the film. His chemistry with his reel ‘bidda’ was as organic as anything can be

Kanchivaram (Tamil, 2008)

Prakash Raj delivered a National Award-winning performance in Kanchivaram, a hard-hitting drama about the plight of silk weavers in Kanchipuram. The film was directed by ace filmmaker Priyadarshan and featured Shriya Reddy as the leading lady.

Wanted (Hindi, 2009)

The actor played the antagonist in the Telugu movie Pokiri, starring mass Mahesh Babu. He reprised his role in Wanted, the Bollywood remake of the actioner, and locked horns with none other than Salman Khan. His scenes with ‘Bhai’ clicked with fans due to their intensity. Industry trackers feel that Wanted established Prakash Raj as a force to be reckoned with in the Hindi film industry.