Shakti Prasad – Sandalwood Villain of Yesterdays

Shakti Prasad (1928 – 1986) was a veteran Kannada film actor best known for villain roles. He played numerous iconic antagonist and grey shaded roles predominantly in the 1960s and 1970s, and has shared screen space with Rajkumar in many movies. A first generation member of Sarja film family, his son Arjun Sarja is a prominent actor of next generation. Now third generation has also entered films. Noted actors Chiranjeevi Sarja, Dhruva Sarja and Aishwarya Arjun are his grandchildren. Noted actress Niveditha Arjun is his daughter-in-law

First generation member of Sarja filmy family

Shakti Prasad was born in Kingdom of Mysore in 1928. He was active in film screen since mid-1960s to mid-1980s, till his death. He was not initially interested in acting. Immadi Pulikeshi (1967) was his debut flick, and his role got noticed. Jedara Bale (1968), Antha (1981) and Sahasa Simha (1982) are counted as his career best roles among the 200 shades he portrayed on screen, in a career spanning to 2 decades. Mostly played negative roles on screen, he also excelled in positive character roles.

He was married to Lakshmi Devi, an art teacher and had two sons Arjun Sarja and Kishore Sarja, and a daughter. Arjun turned a prominent film actor of south Indian film industry, while Kishore Sarja too directed a few Kannada films. However he couldn’t make a mark in film industry. Shakti Prasad was only 58 when he passed away in 1986. He was fully active in the industry till his death. By that time he had launched his son Arjun in the industry, and also acted as his mentor during his early phase.

Shakti Prasad – Some interesting and less-known facts

1. His real name is J. C. Ramaswamy.

2. His deceased grandson Chiranjeevi Sarja was married to south Indian actress Meghana Raj, daughter of popular Kannada actors, Sundar Raj and Pramila Joshai .

3. His son Kishore Sarja and grandson Chiranjeevi Sarja passed away comparatively at young age.

4. He and popular Kannada actor Rajesh are close relatives. His son Arjun Sarja is married to Rajesh’s daughter Niveditha Arjun, who is a former actress too.