From teenage prodigy to national treasure, GV Prakash’s journey has been anything but ordinary. Twice crowned with the National Award for Best Music Direction for Soorarai Pottru and Vaathi, he stands as one of the rare composers whose soundtracks don’t just accompany films, they define them. With three big wins and a string of SIIMA honours, his music has become shorthand for ambition, grit, and emotion. Today, we meet the artist behind the accolades, not just to count trophies, but to uncover the stories, risks, and instincts that turned melodies into milestones.

Happy Raj released in March 2026. How does this film reflect where you are in your career right now and what drew you to this film? Looking back can you recall some of the biggest highpoints of your journey?
It’s a very sweet, fun film. It’s like my initial films that were fun. It is fun but also has a very emotional script. My best films I feel were my highpoints. Some of them being Naachiyaar, Trisha Illana Nayanthara, Sarvam Thaala Mayam, Sivappu Manjal Pachai, Bachelor and Darling.

The film marks Abbas’ comeback to Tamil cinema. How was it working alongside him, and did his return bring a different energy to the set? What was the most memorable moment during the shoot of Happy Raj?
I’m looking forward for Abbas sir’s comeback. He’s a sweetheart. He has great energy and working with him was super fun. This film will be a blockbuster for Abbas.
How do you balance comedy with emotional depth in your performances? What kind of ground research goes into every film of yours?
Comedy is difficult but emotional scenes come naturally to me. Timing is important in comedy scenes. Director is important for comedy scenes as they have to sit with the editor and balance of editing and timing is crucial. Character and ground research is important. Last few films I did serious roles. This film is comedy and has to be properly aligned.
As both an actor and a National Award-winning composer, how do you decide which projects to prioritise – music or acting?
Music depends on the script. Suddenly I do a young movie like youth and songs also become blockbusters. Or like Neek, Youth, Soorarai Pottru, Amaran and many others and also kara. I can do serious films or even youth-oriented films and they will become super hits. It depends on the script and the flow. As an actor I need to know what importance I have in the film and the character’s importance. Depends on these things what is it that elevates the film or not.
In Rebel, you play Kathiresan, a Tamil student navigating identity and politics in a Malayali-majority college. How did you prepare to embody the tension between cultural pride and youthful rebellion, and what personal experiences or observations shaped your performance?
Rebel was very tough. The shoot situation, it was all tough. Story demanded serious performance so I did that. I really liked the interval block as it was a very nice portion. When looking back, I feel it was a lovely film. Rebel was a statement and I’m happy I was a part of it.
Which of your compositions do you feel best represents your identity as a musician, and why?
I feel the films that relate best to me as a musician are Aayirathil Oruvan, Veyil, Mayakkam Enna, Madrasapattinam and so many more. The list is quite long. Each movie is important for me. I have given something unique in each of my films in terms of music.
Tamil cinema is seeing a wave of debut directors. What advice would you give them about working with established artists?
It’s always nice as the energy the debut directors deliver is high. The way they run around and work hard to get things done for their film is great. I like to work with such energy as they do a lot of research work and bring us lot of new stuff to look up to. I recently did a movie called Youth with a debut director Ken Karunaas. Happy Raj is also with a debut director named Maria Raja Elanchezian. It’s really nice to see that these young directors are bringing in so much fresh talent to the industry.
You’ve straddled commercial entertainers and socially conscious films. Do you feel a responsibility to balance art with activism?
Balance is required. It’s important to have revenue too. So, I try and balance it all by doing two big films that will be commercial hits and then one film with a conscience so I can balance both the worlds. As an artist every film is important for me. It is tough so we have to go with the flow and enjoy the process.
You started out as a child artist in 1993 when you contributed vocals to your uncle AR Rahman’s now-classic OSTs for Gentleman and Thiruda Thiruda, and it’s been over two prolific decades of having a devoted fanbase across India and globally too among huge Tamil communities. Looking back, how has your journey from child prodigy in music to leading actor shaped your perspective on fame?
Everyday I’m learning something new in this journey. I’m glad I started working early in life. It’s now time for me to enjoy the process of working. Fame is a byproduct of hard work and success.
What’s a typical day like when you’re simultaneously composing and shooting for a film? And also, when you’re not working, what are your other passions and hobbies?
A typical day in my life is always hectic. I’m either composing music or shooting back-to-back. My other passions are cricket and swimming. Earlier I used to play video games on my Play Station. Video games like Call of Duty and other such games, but now I don’t get time to play.
How do you protect your creative energy in an industry that demands constant output?
I like to meet new people and new debutante directors and debutant energies who bring out the best in me and my creative energy. That is what keeps me going. It’s always best to explore different situations, shoot at different locations and soak in some new energy. That is what keeps me alive and kicking.
Do you see yourself venturing into direction someday, given your multi-faceted experience?
I have a few ideas for future regarding direction. I’m still tied up with a lot of projects, so maybe after three or four years I will surely take the plunge. I’m already working on a few ideas on the side.
With Happy Raj and Youth making headlines, what kind of stories do you want to tell in the next five years? Tell us about all your current and upcoming projects?
Both Happy Raj and Youth are complete commercial films. I just completed my serious film era, so I’m now back again into my commercial fun zone. So, for the next few months, I will do commercial films and then I will also do emotional love stories. with joe movie director. I’m also doing fun movies also one with hotspot director.
If you could collaborate with one international artist, musician or actor, who would it be, and what kind of project would you envision?
For my film collaborations, I would like to work with director Sir Christopher Nolan and Avengers film series director, the Russo Brothers – Anthony and Joe Russo. I would also love to work with Tarantino.
For my music and vocals collaborations it would be Selena Gomez and Taylor Swift. I’m not sure how this would happen, but this is on my bucket list.
Tell us something fun about your concerts? Any fun experience you’d like to recall? Which has been the most memorable concert?
Concerts are always fun. We are in a different country, different stage and all kinds of fans cheering for you and you vibe with them. We dance and perform with them on the ramp. Every concert is unique in its own way. Malaysia was super fun. I also loved my concert in the UK. Both of them will always be memorable for me. I have loved all my concerts and I’m so glad that my fans love them too.
With multiple awards under your belt including two National awards, do you feel a greater responsibility to push boundaries in your future compositions? Was there a specific moment during the making of Soorarai Pottru or Vaathi when you thought, ‘This might be award-worthy’?
Soorarai Pottru and Vaathi are both musical inclined films. Soorarai Pottru had a huge inclination for music and we had completely new music. Vathi music went so viral that both the films won me a National Award. Both the films had musically inclined directors that worked in its favour.
Tell us about your collaborations with Dhanush?
Dhanush has been a close friend from the beginning. From Polladhavan to Kara it has been a long journey. We have collaborated so many times, for his production, for his direction and for him as an actor. We have travelled together and our collaborations are always fun. It’s like working with your best friend.
Composing music is different from acting. How do you prepare for both the roles you play so effortlessly and flawlessly? What is the secret behind your energy and motivation?
Composing music is completely different as you get ready for different script for different situations. For acting you get ready for the character you’re going to play. Both are quite different but the energy and motivation is the script. As long as I’m excited about the script, I know I will deliver my best.
Are you a hands-on dad? As a dad, how much time are you able to give enough quality time to Anvi? What are the things you both like doing as father and daughter?
I spend minimum of two hours every single day with Anvi, who is five-years old now and on weekends I spend more time. I take her out on weekends and sometimes she even travels with me. She’s my most favourite person that I look forward to meeting every day. I read out stories to her, I sing songs for her and we have a lot of fun together. She asks me to do a lot of things for her and I love doing all of them as a dad. I love being with her. We share a beautiful relationship.

RAPID FIRE
1.A song of yours you’d play on loop forever?
‘Idhu Enna Maayam’ from ‘Ooram Po’.
2.Acting or composing, which feels more natural today?
Both.
3.The co-star who surprised you most on set?
Nedumudi Venu
4.If not cinema, what career would you have chosen?
Maybe a cricketer.
5.A director you’d drop everything to work with again
Anurag Kashyap
6.One Tamil classic you wish you had scored?
They’re all classics. I don’t think I want to change them.
7.Coffee or chai before a recording session?
Coffee, but not always.
8.Your dream global collaboration, musician or band?
BTS.
9.The role you’re proudest of so far?
Sivappu Manjal Pachai and Sarvam Thaala Mayam.
10.One-word fans should remember about GV Prakash in 2026?
I’m in my commercial zone now with Youth and Happy Raj.
11.A food you can’t live without?
Dosa.
12.Morning person or night owl?
Both. Rather 10am to 10 pm person.
13.First thing you do when you wake up?
Scheduling my appointments for the day.
14.One word your friends would use to describe you?
A friend in need.
15.Favourite travel destination
It was Dubai earlier, but not sure now after the war.
16.One gadget you can’t live without?
My iphone.
17.Favourite sport to play or watch?
Cricket.
18.Dream holiday spot?
New Zealand on my mind now.
19.Your go-to stress buster?
Gym.