Prashanth Neelakantapuram (born 4 June 1980), popularly known as Prashanth Neel, is an Indian film director and screenwriter who works in Kannada and Telugu films. He debuted with the Kannada action-thriller Ugramm (2014) and later directed the KGF trilogy (2018–present), whose second part became the highest-grossing Kannada film of all-time. Subsequently, Neel had his maiden Telugu film release with Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire (2023).
Personal life
Prashanth Neelakantapuram[1] was born on 4 June 1980[2] into a Telugu family settled in Bangalore.[1][3][4] His parents are Subhash and Bharathi,[4] and their family hails from Neelakantapuram village, near Madakasira in Andhra Pradesh. He regularly visits his native place Neelakantapuram where his father's tomb is located.[4][1][3] He shortened his eponymous surname to Neel.[1]
In an interview with a Kannada weekly magazine, Neel said he took to filmmaking initially for the need of money, following which he completed a course in the same, eventually developing interest in it. After having completed the course, he decided to cast his brother-in-law and actor Sriimurali in Aa Hudugi Neene, a screenplay that he had written during the time. After the latter expressed his concerns due to his inexperience, Neel changed his mind and began observing Srimurali's mannerisms over a period of time, and came up with the project Ugramm, an action film.[9] The film turned out to be a massive commercial success and emerged as one of the highest-grossing Kannada films of 2014.[10]
Reports emerged in late 2014 and early 2015 of Neel having been signed to direct three films. The first is a sequel to Ugramm, entitled Ugramm Veeram, which would feature Srimurali reprise his role from Ugramm. His next film KGF: Chapter 1 which stands for Kolar Gold Fields has Yash playing the role of Rocky, an orphan who becomes a don. The sequel KGF: Chapter 2, was scheduled for a release in July of 2021, but was delayed due to the second wave of the COVID pandemic in India and was subsequently released in April 2022.[11][12]
In December 2020, Hombale Films announced the film Salaar: Part 1 – Ceasefire starring Prabhas. The film's shoot began in January 2021 and was released in December 2023. In May 2021, Mythri Movie Makers and N. T. R. Arts have announced a film in collaboration with Neel and N. T. Rama Rao Jr.[13] The film was officially began in August 2024 with the working title NTRNeel. It is scheduled to release in January 2026.[14]
