So this year, Prakash Raj won the National award for the best actor. Are we mistaken? No, not at all. Versatile actor Prakash Raj was born as Prakash Rai in Mangalore in Karnataka and his mother tongue is Tulu. He changed his name from Rai to Raj and shifted base to Chennai when director K Balachander roped him in for his film Duet.
Even as a student, the actor used to actively participate in stage plays and debates. He also won the President’s Scout Award in 1982 and sources reveal that it was the legendary Balachander who groomed Prakash to become such a great actor. KB was also said to be responsible for changing the name of Prakash Rai to Prakash Raj.