Prem Prakash

Zachariah Joseph, popularly known asPrem Prakash is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Malayalam television serials and a renowned producer in Malayalam movies. He is mainly known for supporting roles and character roles. He has produced more than 10 Malayalam films. He is currently serving as the treasurer of Kerala Film Producers Association.

Prem Prakash was born as the youngest among eight children to K.J.Joseph and Eliyamma Joseph at Kochi, Kerala. He spend his childhood in Shikohabad Uttar Pradesh. He has four brothers, the eldest brother being the veteran actor Jose Prakash, who was 19 years older than him. He is married to Daisy Luke who is a retired English professor from BCM College Kottayam. They have a daughter Thankam & two sons, Malayalam movie screenwriter duo Bobby–Sanjay. Prem Prakash also produced and acted in few notable TV serials. His first love had been singing and he entered the film industry as a playback singer in the 1968 film Kaarthika.

He was educated in SB College Changanassery and CMS College Kottayam. He made his acting debut in the movie Ara Nazhika Neram in 1970. He produced his first film Peruvazhiyambalam in 1979. It was the film that really launched the career of writer-director P. Padmarajan and also introduced actor Ashokan for the first time. That film was well-received and he went on to make 17 more films, of which films like Koodevide, Akashadoothu, Johnnie Walker, Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum and Ayalum Njanum Thammil firmly established him as a successful producer. He won the Best Character Actor Award in the 2015 Kerala State Film Awards for his role in Nirnayakam. He is also credited with introducing popular actors Rashin Rahman, Biju Menon, N F Varghese, Jyothirmayi, Achankunju, lyricist Gireesh Puthenchery, music director A J Joseph and director Jude Attipetty. He served as a juror for the 61st South Indian Film Fare Awards, announced in July 2014.His autobiography, Prakashavarshangal, is published by D C Books.

National Film Awards

• 1979 Rajat Kamal Award for Best Malayalam Feature Film – Peruvazhiyambalam

Kerala State Film Awards

• 1979 Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film – Peruvazhiyambalam
• 1983 Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film – Koodevide
• 2003 Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film – Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum
• 2012 Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film – Ayalum Njanum Thammil
• 2015 Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actor – Nirnayakam

Film Producer's Association Award

• 2015 Best Character Actor – Nirnayakam

Film Critics Award

• 2015 2nd Best Actor – Nirnayakam

Filmfare Awards South

• 2013 Best Film – Ayalum Njanum Thammil

Padmarajan Memorial Award

• 2013 Chalachitra Prathiba

Henko Flowers Indian Film Awards

2016 – Best Supporting Actor – Nirnnayakam

Kerala State Television Awards

• 2001 Best Actor – Avasthantharangal
• 2004 Best Actor – Avicharitham
• 2004 Best Tele Serial – Avicharitham
• 2009 Best Tele Serial – Aagneyam (Tele Serial)
• 2015 2nd Best Actor – Iswaran Saakshiyayi

Minnale Film & TV Awards

• 2014 Best Actor – Oru Penninte Katha & Aakaashadoothu

Prakashavarshangal (Autobiography)