OTTplay Awards 2022: Know Your Winners: Rajendra Prasad wins OTT Performer of the Year

Rajendra Prasad won the award for his performance in Senapathi

Rajendra Prasad

Veteran Telugu actor Rajendra Prasad bagged the ‘OTT Performer of the year’ award at the recently held OTTPlay Awards 2022 in Mumbai. He received the award for his performance in Senapathi, a crime drama directed by Pavan Sadineni. The actor played the role of Krishnamurthy, a retired elderly man who resorts to vengeance owing to the bitterness he experiences in society.

About the winner

Senapathi, bankrolled by Sushmitha Konidela and Vishnu Prasad, under Gold Box Entertainment marked the OTT debut of Rajendra Prasad on the Telugu streaming platform aha. The film is a remake of the Tamil hit 8 Thottakkal, directed by Sri Ganesh. The drama also stars Kandregula Gnaneswari, Naresh Agastya, Pavani Reddy and Rakendu Mouli, to name a few.

Accolades

Rajendra Prasad’s performance in Senapathi opened to positive reviews all over. The film is all the more special for it depicts him in an avatar with several grey shades after many years. The screenplay written by Vasant Jurru and Hussain Sha Kiran was adapted well, tailored to suit the sensibilities of Telugu audiences. The racy screenplay and the performances were largely well-received.

Know Rajendra Prasad a little better

Rajendra Prasad’s career took with Bapu’s Sneham in 1977 in a brief role. Though he appeared in popular films like Manchu Pallaki, Mundadugu, his career took a drastic turn with the success of filmmaker Vamsy’s Ladies Tailor in 1986. Henceforth, he never had a reason to look back, for films like Aha Naa Pellanta, Rajendrudu Gajrendru, April 1 Vidudala cemented his stature as an actor who could draw audiences for his comic abilities alone.

After an extremely fruitful stint as a leading man in the comedy space, director Chandra Siddhartha breathed new lease of life into his filmography with the award-winning Aa Naluguru. Switching between comedy roles, supporting roles and lead parts, some of his finest performances in his later phase have come in films like Mee Sreyobhilashi, Onamalu, Devullu, Nannaku Prematho and now Senapathi.

A heartfelt gratitude, straight from the winner's heart

“I am an actor since 45 years since black and white film days. The journey is so special for me across various mediums. Over 100 films of mine have been remade into various languages. Now, young directors have helped me enter the OTT space. The world is changing rapidly and I’m happy to be a part of the change. It’s so special because younger generation is coming up with great content,” Rajendra Prasad said.

“Cinema has now come from theatres to our homes and I am proud to be amidst so many South Indian talents. I’m happy to say that Indian cinema is one today. I always believe cinema is one. I wish the best for all awardees. I should thank my director Pavan Sadineni for Senapathi. Chiranjeevi’s daughter Sushmitha had produced this film,” he further added.

Upcoming films/web series/project

His upcoming films include Sasanasabha, a multilingual political drama, Anukokunda O Prayanam alongside Narasimha Raju and director Nandini Reddy’s Anni Manchi Sakunamule.

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