R Prakash

R Prakash, full name Raghupathi Surya Prakash Rao Naidu, was an Indian film director, producer, writer, and cinematographer. He was one of the pioneers of Indian cinema. He was born in 1901 in Madras, Madras Presidency, British India (now Chennai, India), and died on 28 May 1956 in Chennai, India. His father was the great filmmaker, also known as the father of Telugu cinema, Raghupati Venkaiah Naidu (15 October 1869 - 15 March 1941). In his childhood, Prakash received education from Christian Missionaries in Vepery, Chennai, India.

Prakash was sent abroad by his father to learn filmmaking. He went to London and joined Barker Motion Photography in Ealing in 1918. Prakash went to Paris and Germany, where Prakash met F. W. Murnau. From there, he traveled across various European countries in an attempt at trying to perfect his art. He brought a 35mm camera back to his home in Madras in 1920. In 1921, Prakash and his father produced the first Telugu feature film, Bhishma Pratigya. He also played the title role of Bhishma. The film was a big hit in India, Burma, and Sri Lanka. The film only had a budget of Rs. 12,000 at that time and earned Rs. 60,000 in return.

He helped set up General Pictures Corporation in 1926 and then the Srinivas Cinetone Studio. He also directed the 1931 film Leila the Star of Mingrelia in a composition of 20 reels under General Pictures Corporation. At the time, it was the most expensive film made in India. He was a skilled director and a brilliant technician.

He directed many movies throughout his life. Some of these are Bhishma Pratigna (1921), The Catechist of Kil-Arni (1923), Gajendra Moksham (1923), Bhakta Nandan (1923), Samudra Madanam (1923), Usha Swapna (1924), Mahatma Kabirdas (1925), Mohini Avatar (1926), Dashavtar (1929), Stage Girl (1929), Gajendra Moksham (1930), Sree Kanyaka Parmeswari (1930), Lanka Dabana (1930), Gandhariyin Pulambal (1930), Pavalakkodi (1931), Leila the Star of Mingrelia (1931), Rose of Rajasthan (1931), Vishnu Leela (1932), Draupadi Vastrapaharanam (1934), Lanka Dahanam (1935), Thooku Thooki (1935), Krishna Arjuna (1935), Krishna Naradi (1936), Nalayini (1936), Indrasabba (1936), Andal Thirukalyanam (1937), Soldier's Wife (1937), Rajasekharan (1937), Anaadhai Penn (1938), Porveeran Manaivi (1938), Sirikathe (1939), Chandika (1940), Tara Sasank (1941), Babruvahana (1942), Mayapilla (1951), Moondru Penngal (1956). He continued to produce successful films until the end.