Prashanth (born on 6 April 1973) is an Indian film actor known for his works predominantly in Tamil cinema. He has also appeared in few Telugu, Hindi and Malayalam films. The son of actor-director Thiagarajan, Prashanth began his career at 17 by appearing in Vaigasi Poranthachu (1990) and went on to feature in other films including Ajayan's Perumthachan (1991), Balu Mahendra's Vanna Vanna Pookkal (1992), R. K. Selvamani's Chembaruthi (1992) and Mani Ratnam's action-comedy Thiruda Thiruda (1993).
Prashanth rose to stardom with Shankar's blockbuster romantic comedy Jeans (1998) in which he played a dual role alongside Aishwarya Rai. The success of the film saw him garner opportunities to work in bigger film projects and in the late 1990s, he featured in a series of profitable films such as Kannedhirey Thondrinal (1998), Kaadhal Kavithai (1998) and Jodi (1999). By the 2000s, he had been successful in films such as Parthen Rasithen (2000), Piriyadha Varam Vendum (2001), Chocolate (2001), Majunu (2001), Thamizh (2002), Virumbugiren (2002), Winner (2003) and Shock (2004).
Prashanth was born on 6 April 1973 in Chennai in the state of Tamil Nadu, India. He is the son of actor Thiagarajan and director in Tamil films while his maternal grandfather, Peketi Sivaram, was an actor and an acclaimed director of Telugu, Tamil and Kannada films. He studied Computer Graphics and Multimedia and went to Trinity College of Music in London before embarking on an acting career. He completed his 12th grade and was enlisted in two medical colleges. His first intention was to be a doctor, but finally he decided to be an actor, like his father T. Thiagarajan, also producer and film director.
He has a sister, Preeti. He studied in Madras Christian College Higher Secondary School, in Chetpet. Prashanth owns a multi-storeyed jewellery mart in Panagal Park.
