Prabhakar, also known as Kalakeya Prabhakar, is an Indian actor who predominently works in Telugu films along with Tamil, Kannada, and Malayalam films. He is best known for his role as the king of the Kalakeyas in Baahubali: The Beginning (2015).^[1] His other notable films include Maryada Ramanna (2010), Dongaata (2015), Jai Simha (2018), Akhanda (2021).^[2] As of July 2022, he has acted in over 120 films in five languages.^[3]

Prabhakar was born in Husnabad, near Raichur. His family hails from Kondangal of Mahabubnagar district, Telangana.^[4] After studying in Husnabad, he then shifted to Vikarabad to enroll in Ananta Padmanabha college.^[5]

His wife Rajya Lakshmi is a teacher and his son Sriram Rajamouli was named after the famous director Rajamouli who offered him his first full-fledged role in Maryada Ramanna and gave him 'a new life'. He also has another son Ritvik Preetam.^[6]

Prabhakar played a minor role as villain in Mahesh Babu's Athidi, directed by Surender Reddy and supporting artist in his earlier career.

His first breakthrough film as an actor came in 2010 with Maryada Ramanna, directed by S. S. Rajamouli.^[7] He also acted in Gabbar Singh, directed by Harish Shankar, Dookudu, Aagadu, Lion and many more, which played well at the box office.

Prabhakar gain recognition following his appearance as a Kalakeya in Baahubali: The Beginning (2015), following which he came to be known as Kalakeya Prabhakar.^[8][9] In 2016, he appeared in Sarrainodu which became the third highest-grossing Telugu film that year. He also starred in Right Right, directed by Manu, starring Sumanth Ashwin and Pooja Zaveri where he played an important role.^[10] As of July 2022, he has acted in over 120 films in five languages.^[3]