Prem Kumar (actor)

Prem Kumar
Born	Karnataka, India
Nationality	Indian
Other names	Nenapirali Prem
Occupation	Actor
Years active	2004–present

Prem Kumar, known mononymously as Prem, is an Indian film actor who works in Kannada films. He made his acting debut in 2004 through the film Praana. However, he earned much recognition and won Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Nenapirali in the year 2005. He is popularly known as Lovely Star in Kannada films.

Prem Kumar was born as the eldest son to a power loom weaver. He completed his schooling in Kalyani School, and got himself employed with Indian Telephone Industries Limited, following which he worked as a weaver like his father, for 13 years after schooling. Speaking of his interest in films as a child, he said, "I would spend more than half of my earnings on watching films, buying film-related magazines, books and newspapers. I do not have a film background per se, but I used to watch 150-200 films per year in theatres. Though I started working after school, I would watch 3-4 films a week. Sometimes, I would watch three films a day."

He began working in TV soaps on insistence by a friend, who worked as a car driver to T. N. Seetharam, a popular soap director during the time. Kumar appeared in his soap Manvantara for eight episodes as a junior artist, receiving a remuneration of ₹300 per episode. He also appeared in one episode of Ardha Satya. This was when he took to acting seriously and auditioned for a role in Praana, which would become his debut film.

Prem debuted in film with the 2004 Kannada film Praana. It was by a team of newcomers: director Prakash, composer Allwyn and the actress Preeti were all new besides Prem. The film did not do well at the box office. But the next year, Prem bounced back with a memorable performance in Rathnaja 's debut film, Nenapirali. The film had him play the role of a young man faking love for a girl, and ultimately falling in love. It hit the pulse of the audience, and catapulted Prem to instant stardom. Prem picked up a Best Actor Filmfare Award for his performance in the film. In 2006, Prem further consolidated his position as a bankable star with his single release Jothe Jotheyali with the actress Ramya. The film was also a love story, directed by the debutant director Dinakar Toogudeep. It was one of the major successes of 2006 25 weeks then he got a name as Lovely star . After the release of the film, Prem promised the public that he would not be seen in a remake film. This move backfired as Prem's original choices sank at the box office one after the other. His next releases Pallakki did well 100 days.Gunavantha average and savi savi nenapu had got very good critics and he done first time double acting

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