"I’ve worked over 20 years in the industry, seen many ups and downs but this phase is something beautiful, I’m enjoying every bit of it." - Ahuti Prasad, in a 2009 interview, reflecting on
Telugu cinema's transition to more modern, contemporary films and characters.Prasad's career started with the film
Vikram directed by
V. Madhusudhana Rao which was
Nagarjuna's debut film. Prasad also worked as an assistant director for V. Madhusudana Rao for the film
Malle Moggalu. Producer
Shyam Prasad saw him on the sets of the film
Ee Prasnaku Baduledi? where he was working and offered him a role as the antagonist in his film
Aahuthi (1988). Because of the big break the film gave him, he came to be known popularly as Ahuti Prasad. Prasad expressed that
Krishna Vamsi's
Ninne Pelladata was key in pushing his career as a character artist, and that his success in the film ended up flooding him with offers. In 2008 he won a
Nandi Award for Best Character Actor for the film
Chandamama, in which he played an alcoholic landlord. Prasad was praised for his mastery of the Telugu accent specific to the
East and
West Godavari districts, a trait he demonstrated in many roles throughout his career. He began his career with antagonist roles, but gradually transitioned to other shades throughout his career. Prasad was renowned for playing the role of a character's father-figure in many films like
Malliswari, Bendu Apparao RMP, Kotha Bangaru Lokam, and
Seethamma Vaakitlo Sirimalle Chettu. Prasad believed that "character artistes do get to do more experimental and challenging roles," citing that "character artistes survive on such [unique] characters." ==Other works==