Premgi Amaren
Prem Kumar Gangai Amaren (born 25 February 1979), better known as Premji, is an Indian playback singer, film composer, songwriter, actor and comedian. Son of veteran film composer and singer Gangai Amaran, he often composes rap songs in Tamil cinema and is known for his comical performances in his elder brother Venkat Prabhu's films.[1] His stage name, Premgi, is actually a spelling error, as it is meant to be "Prem G.", (the G referring to his father's name).[2] He is also best known for his catchphrases Enna Koduma Sir Idhu ? (What atrocity is this, sir ?) and Evvalavo Pannitom, Idha Pannamaatoma ? (We've done so much, won't we do this also ?), the former being a modified version of a famous dialogue used by Prabhu in Chandramukhi (2005).[3]
Prem Amaren | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Prem Kumar Gangai Amaren |
| Also known as | Premji Amaren, Prem G |
| Born | 25 February 1979 |
| Occupation(s) | Film actor, comedian, composer, music director, singer |
| Years active | 2006–present |
Career
In 1997, Premgi planned to enter the film industry as a director with a project titled Wanted starring Venkat Prabhu and S. P. B. Charan. The film, which had Yuvan Shankar Raja as music composer and Gangai Amaren and S. P. Balasubrahmanyam as comedians, did not complete shoot.[4]
Primarily interested in composing music, Premgi then started his career as an assistant to film music composer and his cousin Yuvan Shankar Raja,[5] turning a playback singer, singing mostly the rap portions in Yuvan Shankar Raja's compositions,[2] before working with other music composers as well. Working with Yuvan Shankar Raja, he also remixed some of his compositions for the soundtrack albums, the first being "Loosu Penne" from the film Vallavan.[2]
In 2006, however, he made his acting debut in Silambarasan's Vallavan as the heroine's friend, following which he starred in his brother Venkat Prabhu's directorial debut Chennai 600028 (2007), in which he played Seenu. The movie went on to become the year's biggest summer blockbuster, establishing Premgi as a comedy actor.[6] He joined with his brother for his next film Saroja, which fetched him accolades for his performance as Ganesh Kumar.
He appeared as a lead character in Venkat Prabhu's Goa (2010), before going on to make further appearances in Mankatha (2011) and Settai (2013). In 2013, he made his Malayalam debut in North 24 Kaatham.[1] In the upcoming Maanga, he plays the lead character and also works as the music composer.[5] He currently acts in Chennai 600028 II: Second Innings, which is a sequel of the super-hit movie Chennai 600028.[7]
Composing
In 2005, he became an independent music director with Gnabagam Varuthe, starring his brother.[2] After that, he composed for Agathiyan's Nenjathai Killathe and for Thozha, in which he played one of the leading roles as well. Apart from film music, he composed music for an episode titled Planet Galatta II – Adra Sakkae on Singapore's satellite channel, "Mediacorp Vasantham".[2]
Amaren composed a song with singer Suresh Peters called "The One Anthem", and it was made as a tribute to the legend Michael Jackson.[8]
Family
Premgi is the son of veteran director and musician Gangai Amaran, and the younger brother of film director and actor Venkat Prabhu. Film composer Ilaiyaraaja is his uncle, while Yuvan Shankar Raja, Karthik Raja and Bhavatharini are his cousins.
Filmography
As actor
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Whistle | Uncredited | |
| 2005 | Kanda Naal Mudhal | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2006 | Vallavan | Swapna's friend | |
| 2007 | Chennai 600028 | Seenu | |
| Satham Podathey | Ravichandran's friend | ||
| 2008 | Thozha | Arivazhagan | |
| Santosh Subramaniam | Sekhar | ||
| Sathyam | Bora | ||
| Saroja | Ganesh Kumar | Nominated, Vijay Award for Best Comedian | |
| Silambattam | Special appearance | ||
| 2010 | Goa | Saamikannu | |
| 2011 | Mankatha | Prem | Edison Award for Best Comedian ITFA Best Supporting Actor Award |
| 2012 | Podaa Podi | Special appearance | |
| 2013 | Onbadhule Guru | Charles | |
| Settai | Cheenu | ||
| North 24 Kaatham | Vyomkesh | Malayalam film | |
| Biriyani | Parasuram | ||
| 2014 | Vadacurry | Special appearance | |
| Salim | Himself | Special appearance | |
| Theriyama Unna Kadhalichitten | Himself | Special appearance | |
| 2015 | MGR Sivaji Rajini Kamal | Premgi | Guest appearance |
| Masss | Jetli | ||
| Maanga | Shiva | ||
| Yatchan | Himself | Guest appearance | |
| 2016 | Narathan | Narathan | |
| Chennai 600028 II | Seenu | ||
| 2017 | Mupparimanam | Himself | Cameo appearance |
| 2018 | Tamizh Padam 2 | Himself | Special appearance |
| 2019 | Simba | Simba | |
| Zombie | Himself | Cameo appearance | |
| 2020 | RK Nagar | Himself | Guest appearance |
| 2021 | Nenjam Marappathillai | Prem Wilson | |
As music director
| Year | Tamil | Other languages | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Gnabagam Varuthe | ||
| 2006 | Thunichal | ||
| 2008 | Nenjathai Killadhe | ||
| Thozha | |||
| Nannusire (Kannada) | |||
| 2009 | Adhe Neram Adhe Idam | ||
| Kasko (Telugu) | |||
| 2014 | Ennamo Nadakkudhu | ||
| 2015 | Maanga | ||
| 2016 | Achamindri | ||
| 2018 | Takkar | ||
| RK Nagar[9] | |||
| 2019 | Zombie | ||
| Party | |||
| TBA | Kasada Thapara | ||
Discography
| Song | Film | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| "Anandam" | 12B | |
| "You Rock My World" | Arya | |
| "Chitti Nadumune" | Gudumba Shankar | |
| "Boom Boom" | Raam | |
| "Kannum Kannum" | Thirupaachi | |
| "Thee Pidikka" | Arinthum Ariyamalum | |
| "Saroja Saman Nikkalo" | Chennai 600028 | |
| "Rendupakkam Singamda" | Thozha | |
| "Pushing It Hard" | Kanda Naal Mudhal | |
| "Panivizhum Kaalam" | Manathodu Mazhaikalam | |
| "Oru Nayagan" | Thozha | |
| "Orampo Naina" | Azhagai Irukkirai Bayamai Irukkirathu | |
| "Naanga Beeru Kudichaa" | Nenjathai Killadhe | |
| "Ada Gada Gada" | Sathyam | |
| "Machi Open The Bottle" | Mankatha | |
| "Kattukadanga Puyalena" | Veyilodu Vilayadu | |
| "Jalsa" | Chennai 600028 | |
| "Kaalathukku Etta Gana" | Velai | |
| "Theera Theera" | Onbadhula Guru | |
| "Loosu Penne" (Club Mix) | Vallavan | Remixed by Premgi Amaren |
| "Kannai Vittu Kann Imaigal" (Remix) | Pattiyal | Remixed by Premgi Amaren |
| "Jalsa" (Remix) | Chennai 600028 | Remixed by Premgi Amaren |
| "Whistle Kottu" | Kasko | |
| "Goa" (Club Mix) | Goa | Remixed by Premgi Amaren |
| "Vilayadu Mankatha" (Extended Dance Mix) | Mankatha | Remixed by Premgi Amaren |
| "Nahnh Na Nah" (Extended Dance Mix) | Biriyani | Remixed by Premgi Amaren |
| "Therikidhu Masss" (Gasa Gasa Mix) | Masss | Remixed by Premgi Amaren |
| "Mississippi | Biriyani | |
| All songs | Nannusire - 2008 (Kannada) | Music director |
References
- "Premji Amaren makes his Malayalam debut!". Sify. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- "Tamil Cinema News - Tamil Movie Reviews - Tamil Movie Trailers - IndiaGlitz Tamil". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tamil/movies/news/im-not-a-comedian-premgi/articleshow/56666306.cms
- "A-Z (V)". web.archive.org. 24 April 2013. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- "Premji's M'Wood bound - Deccan Chronicle". deccanchronicle.com. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
- "Cinema News | Movie Reviews | Movie Trailers - IndiaGlitz". IndiaGlitz.com. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- Manam Magazine (8 April 2016). "Actor Premgi Amaren talks about how to celebrate a party - Premgi Interview - Manam Magazine". Retrieved 25 February 2019 – via YouTube.
- "Tribute to the King of Pop". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
- "'RK Nagar is not a political film'". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 26 September 2017.
