Cheriyan Joseph, popularly known as Prem Prakash is an Indian actor who predominantly works in Malayalam television serials and a renowned producer in Malayalam movies.^[2] He is mainly known for supporting roles and character roles. He has produced 19 Malayalam films. He is known as Kariachan amongst his family, friends and cinema circles.^[3]

Prem Prakash was born as the youngest among eight children to Eliyamma and K. J. Joseph of the Kunnel family in Kochi, Kerala. He spent his childhood in Shikohabad in Uttar Pradesh. He has four brothers and three sisters, the eldest brother being the veteran actor Jose Prakash, who was 18 years older than him. He did his schooling in Sacred Heart Mount School Kottayam and St Epherms School Mannanam. He completed his higher education in CMS College Kottayam and SB College Changanacherry. He is married to Daisy Luke who is a retired English professor from BCM College Kottayam. They have a daughter Thankam and two sons, Malayalam movie screenwriter duo Bobby–Sanjay. Prem Prakash also produced and acted in a few notable television serials. His first love had been singing and he entered the film industry as a playback singer in the 1968 film Kaarthika.

Prem Prakash was educated in SB College Changanacherry and CMS College Kottayam.^[4] Premprakash made his acting debut in the movie Ara Nazhika Neram in 1970. He produced his first film Peruvazhiyambalam in 1979. It was the directorial debut of writer-director P. Padmarajan and also introduced actor Ashokan for the first time. Peruvazhiyambalam was well received and Prakash went on to make 17 more films, of which films like Koodevide, Akashadoothu, Johnnie Walker, Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum and Ayalum Njanum Thammil firmly established him as a successful producer. He won the Best Character Actor Award at the 2015 Kerala State Film Awards for his role in Nirnayakam. He is also credited with introducing popular actors Rashin Rahman, Biju Menon, N F Varghese, Jyothirmayi, Achankunju, lyricist Gireesh Puthenchery, music director A J Joseph and director Jude Attipetty. He served as a juror for the 61st South Indian Film Fare Awards, announced in July 2014. His autobiography, Prakashavarshangal, is published by D C Books.

National Film Awards

• 1979: National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam – Peruvazhiyambalam

Kerala State Film Awards

• 1979: Kerala State Film Award for Second Best Film – Peruvazhiyambalam
• 1983: Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film – Koodevide
• 2003: Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film – Ente Veedu Appuvinteyum
• 2012: Kerala State Film Award for Best Popular Film – Ayalum Njanum Thammil
• 2015: Kerala State Film Award for Best Character Actor – Nirnayakam

Film Producer's Association Award

• 2015: Best Character Actor – Nirnayakam

Film Critics Award

• 2015: Second Best Actor – Nirnayakam

Filmfare Awards South

• 2013: Best Film – Ayalum Njanum Thammil^[5]

Padmarajan Memorial Award

• 2013: Chalachitra Prathiba^[6]

Henko Flowers Indian Film Awards

• 2016: Best Supporting Actor – Nirnnayakam

Kerala State Television Awards

• 2001: Best Actor – Avasthantharangal
• 2004: Best Actor – Avicharitham
• 2004: Best Tele Serial – Avicharitham
• 2009: Best Tele Serial – Aagneyam (Tele Serial)
• 2015: Second Best Actor – Iswaran Saakshiyayi

Minnale Film & TV Awards

• 2014: Best Actor – Oru Penninte Katha, Aakaashadoothu

Prakashavarshangal (Autobiography)