Master Prabhakar began his career as a child actor in Tamil cinema and went on to act in over 150 films across Tamil, Hindi, Telugu, and Kannada. He was also active in television, appearing in more than 60 Doordarshan programs between 1977 and 1987. His acting debut was in Devalayam, directed by G.R. Nathan.
After retiring from acting, he worked as a technician in Hindi films and was reportedly the first to open a color xerox store in Chennai. His contribution to Tamil cinema, especially in the 1970s and 1980s, made him a respected figure in the industry.