Tiger Prabhakar | |
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| Born | Prabhakar 30 March 1948 Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore, India |
| Died | 25 March 2001 (aged 52) Bengaluru, Karnataka, India |
| Occupations |
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| Spouse(s) |
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| Children | 5, including Vinod Prabhakar |
Tiger Prabhakar (30 March 1948 – 25 March 2001), also known as Kannada Prabhakar, was an Indian actor who predominantly worked in Kannada and Telugu cinema. He also acted in a few Malayalam, Tamil and Hindi films. He was reported to have appeared in more than 400 films.
Prabhakar started his career by appearing in small roles in Kannada movies and went on to become one of the most sought after villains in Kannada and Telugu movies during the late 70s and 80s. He graduated to playing full-fledged action hero roles in Kannada movies 1983-84 onward and remained one of the most sought after heroes until 1993-94. He made a successful pair with all the top Kannada heroines of the time like Jayamala, Aarathi, Bharathi, Lakshmi and Jayanthi. Prabhakar has also directed more than 10 films in Kannada in which he starred as the hero.
Prabhakar's unique acting style, his physique helped him become extremely popular amongst the masses. He flourished in action sequences. He even excelled in his comedic timing and excelled in many movies in comedy scenes as is seen in many movies where he played Anant Nag's friend in movies like Nanna Devaru, Dhairya Lakshmi, Gayathri Maduve. He would wear a cross to the sets, being a Christian, but would be asked to hide or remove it sometimes.
Prabhakar introduced Kanglish, a mix of Kannada and English dialogues, to Kannada movies.
Prabhakar followed the Christian faith. Contemporary media reports following his death quoted Prabhakar saying at an event that he was married five times. His first marriage yielded three children: two daughters, Bharathi and Geetha, and a son, Vinod. He was then married to actress Jayamala, and they had one child together: daughter Soundarya. With his third wife, actress Anju, Prabhakar had one son. He also reportedly dated model and actress Dolly Minhas.
It was reported that Prabhakar met with a motorcycle accident in the mid-1980s. Health issues related to this incident cropped up later leading to gangrene on his legs. In early March 2001, he was admitted to Mallya Hospital in Bangalore for treatment of jaundice. His condition deteriorated and he died on 25 March. The cause of death was reported as multi-organ failure, primarily kidney failure, after a prolonged illness.
In later interviews, his son Vinod clarified the rumours that circulated about the actor's illness and death, including reports claiming amputation due to gangrene. However, the family stated that these claims were incorrect and that he died due to complications from illness leading to organ failure.
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| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Chalaki Rani Kiladi Raja | Joseph | Debut Film in Telugu |
| 1972 | Nijam Nirupistha | Gang member | |
| 1978 | Adavi Manushulu | ||
| Lawyer Viswanath | Soda Jaggu | ||
| Dongala Veta | Dancer in song | ||
| Annadammula Savaal | Bhayankar | ||
| 1979 | Yugandhar | ||
| Iddaru Asadhyule | Jagan | ||
| 1980 | Chuttalunnaru Jagratha | Katthula Rathi | |
| Bangaru Bava | Sanyasi Babu | ||
| 1981 | Gharana Gangulu | Syam | |
| Chattaniki Kallu Levu | Javed | ||
| 1982 | Billa Ranga | Raviraj | |
| Pratigna | Hitman | ||
| 1983 | Roshagadu | Bhayankar | |
| Puli Bebbuli | Rudraiah | ||
| Moogavani Paga | Murder Maridayya | Moogana Sedu remake | |
| Palleturi Pidugu | Drunken miscreant | ||
| Dharma Poratam | Ranga | ||
| 1985 | Jwala | Sarvottama Rao | |
| Pattabhishekam | Mastan Rao | ||
| 1986 | Brahmastram | Nagaraju | |
| Vikram | Sardar | ||
| Ide Naa Samadhanam | Jaganmohan Rao | ||
| Police Officer | SP Bhavani/ Prabhakar | Dual role | |
| Ravana Brahma | Tiger Dasu | ||
| Kirathakudu | Snake | ||
| Rakshasudu | Vankachakra Ram Murthy | ||
| 1987 | Rakshasa Samharam | Dada Chanakya | |
| Thandri Kodukula Challenge | Narahari | ||
| Prema Samrat | Jagga Rao | ||
| Muddayi | Ranjit Kumar | ||
| Pasivadi Pranam | Inspector Reddy | ||
| Jebu Donga | Jimoomba | ||
| 1989 | Vicky Daada | Prabhakar | |
| Palnati Rudraiah | Saindhava Rao | ||
| 1990 | Jagadeka Veerudu Athiloka Sundari | KP | |
| Neti Siddhartha | Jogender | ||
| Kodama Simham | Gajapati | ||
| 1993 | Nippu Ravva | Prabhakar |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Kettikaran | Fight Master | |
| 1977 | Gaayathri | ||
| 1978 | Idhu Eppadi Irukku | Sastry | |
| Thai Meethu Sathiyam | Balu | ||
| 1980 | Kaalam Bathil Sollum | Thandavan | |
| Anbukku Naan Adimai | Velu | ||
| 1981 | Amara Kaaviyam | Chinnadurai | |
| 1982 | Thyagi | Prathap | |
| 1985 | Annai Bhoomi 3D | General Prabhakar | |
| 1992 | Annaamalai | Don | |
| Pandian | Parameshwaran | ||
| 1993 | Rojavai Killathe | Peter | |
| 1995 | Muthu | Pratap Rayudu |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Dhruvam | Hyder Marakkar | |
| Mafia | Devaraja Gowda | ||
| 1997 | Ranger | Tiger |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Inquilaab | Anil Raj | |
| 1987 | Jawab Hum Denge | D.J. |
| Year | Film | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1988 | Shakthi | ||
| 1989 | Bidisada Bandha | ||
| 1991 | Kaliyuga Bheema | Rajashekar Gonzales Mohammed Ali | |
| Bombay Daada | Subhash | ||
| 1993 | Mahendra Varma | Mahendra Varma | |
| 1994 | Mr.Mahesh Kumar | Mr.Mahesh Kumar | |
| 1995 | Yama Kinkara | ||
| 1997 | Arjun Abhimanyu | ||
| 1998 | Mr.Dear Tiger | ||
| 2001 | Mysore Huli | Mr Mahendra | Also Composer |
| 2005 | Good Bad Ugly |