Krishna Prasad (actor)

Krishna Prasad was born into a traditional agriculturist family and has two siblings. His ancestral home is located at Anchuvilakku, Perunna, Changanassery.^[2] His father, N. P. Unnipilla was a teacher, social worker, and agriculturist. Prasad began acting at the age of eight, when he portrayed a 70-year-old man in the stage drama Prism. He remained actively involved in theatre thereafter, which eventually paved the way for his entry into cinema. He was a two-time recipient of the Best Actor award at the Mahatma Gandhi University youth festival,^[3] and is a graduate of Mahatma Gandhi University.^[4]

Prasad has acted in over 150 films.^[2] He made his acting debut as a teen in 1984 with K. G. George's Panchavadi Palam, playing a bit part as a charlatan's disciple. His father also appeared in the film.^[5] It was followed by his debut credited role in Padmarajan's 1988 drama Moonnam Pakkam. He worked with Padmarajan again in a prominent role in Season (1989). He was then cast in a leading role in K. S. Sethumadhavan-directed drama Venal Kinavukal written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. Around the same time, he played the leading role in the television serial Vritthandham on Doordarshan.^[3]

In 1997, he acted alongside Sivaji Ganesan in Oru Yathramozhi. He has also acted in Malayalam television serials. He won Critics award for his acting in the serial Samaksham. He also acted in serials such as Nalukettu, Sthree, Samayam among others. He played an antagonistic role in the 2008 drama Mizhikal Sakshi.^[3]

Prasad was appointed as a member of the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC), Kerala State Chalachitra Academy, and Kerala Lalithakala Akademi.^[6]

Prasad ventured into paddy cultivation in 2007.^[6] He also cultivates plantain and tapioca.^[7] He holds a Kisan Credit Card. Prasad has also been involved as a social activist in agricultural field, in issues related to Kuttanad Package and paddy field fund. In 2008, he conducted an event called Bhakshyasurakshakkayi Karshakakkoottaima (farmers community for food security) for honouring farmers which was attended by thousands of farmers, who were honoured by wearing ponnada. A class seven question paper of SSA involved a question about Krishna Prasad as a farmer.^[3]

In 2010, he won Karshakamitra award from the Government of Kerala.^[2] In 2023, Prasad joined fellow farmers in protesting the non-payment for their produce sold to Supplyco, which offered them unsolicited loans in place of cash payments.^[8]

Krishna Prasad is married to Reshmi. They have two children—Prarthana Krishna and Prapancha Krishna.^[6][2] He resides in Perunna, Changanassery. In 2020, he started a YouTube channel called Karshakasree Krishna Prasad.^[3]

He has won Critics award for his acting in the television serial Samaksham. In 2010, he won Karshakamitra award from the Government of Kerala, recognising his efforts in farming.^[2]