49 Facts About Prem Nazir

Prem Nazir is widely regarded as one of the most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema.

Prem Nazir began his career as a stage actor and made his film debut with the 1952 film Marumakal.

Prem Nazir took on the stage name Prem Nazir on the sets of his second film, Visappinte Vili.

Prem Nazir won the Kerala State Film Award for his role as Madhavan Kutty in Vida Parayum Munpe.

Prem Nazir died due to measles on 16 January 1989 at the age of 62.

Prem Nazir holds the Guinness World Records for playing opposite the same heroine in 130 films, and previously held the record for playing the lead role in a record 720 films.

Prem Nazir holds two other acting records; for acting opposite eighty heroines and for acting in lead roles in 30 films which were released in a single year.

Prem Nazir was born in Chirayinkeezhu in the princely state of Travancore, to Akkode Shahul Hamid and Asuma Beevi on 06 April 1926 in a Rowther family.

Prem Nazir had two brothers - Prem Nawas - and Ashraf and six sisters - Sulekha, Arifa, Aneesa, Umaiba, Sunaisa and Suhara.

Prem Nazir's mother died when he was very young, and his father remarried a woman of the same name.

Prem Nazir completed his formal education from Kadinamkulam Lower Primary School, Sri Chithiravilasam School, Thiruvananthapuram, Sanatana Dharma College, Alappuzha, and St Berchmans College, Changanassery.

Prem Nazir had his acting debut as Shylock in the play The Merchant of Venice, when he was a student at SB College, Changanacherry.

Prem Nazir won the best actor award for this role in the play directed by an English Professor of SB College, Prof.

Prem Nazir was credited as Abdul Khader in this film.

Prem Nazir started his career when drama was the most popular visual medium and film making at its infancy.

Prem Nazir began acting for the Excel Productions and most of his films were for the Udaya and Merryland Studios.

Prem Nazir acquired the halo of a romantic hero and a loyal following.

Prem Nazir's tear-jerkers were very popular with female audiences and soon made him a darling of the masses.

Prem Nazir became the first real star of Malayalam cinema.

From 1956 to 1976, Prem Nazir rode high at the crest of a tidal wave of popularity and gave his best to Malayalam cinema.

Prem Nazir catapulted to the row of the finest actors of India with the film Iruttinte Athmavu.

Prem Nazir has played historical characters based on Vadakkan Pattukal.

Prem Nazir was well known for his roles as Hindu deities like Rama, Krishna and Ayyappa.

Prem Nazir pairing with comedian Adoor Bhasi was a sure-fire laugh riot.

Prem Nazir is quite popularly described as Nithyaharithanayakan, which does justice to the fact that he was acting as the hero in his elder years as well.

Senior Malayalam cine actress Kaviyoor Ponnamma has revealed that Prem Nazir was a very good singer, and had training in Carnatic music.

Prem Nazir mostly played supporting roles with Jayan, Sukumaran, Shankar and Soman.

Prem Nazir played his last hero role in Vellarikka Pattanam along with Ratheesh.

The former is a group of investigative films by P Venu in which Nazir played James Bond like protagonists.

In most of these movies Prem Nazir teamed with Adoor Bhasi, a famed comedy actor who would accompany Prem Nazir characters in investigations.

Prem Nazir was married to Habeeba Beevi and they have one son and three daughters.

Prem Nazir, renowned for both his acting prowess and philanthropic endeavors, remains a subject of debate on whether he excelled more as an actor or humanitarian.

Widely regarded for his generosity, Prem Nazir treated colleagues, well-wishers, and family with equal kindness.

Notably, Prem Nazir played a pivotal role in promoting his film colleagues, demonstrating a sharp memory by instantly recognizing individuals.

Prem Nazir died in the early hours of 16 January 1989, aged 62.

Prem Nazir's body was transported to Thiruvananthapuram, where he was buried at Kattumurakkal Juma Masjid, Chirayinkizhil with full state honours.

Prem Nazir won his only Kerala State Film Award in 1981; He won Filmfare Special Award - South for numerous films in 1976 and he won a Special Jury Award for the supporting role he played in the film Vida Parayum Munbe.

Prem Nazir was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 1983 by the President of India in recognition of distinguished services of a high order to the nation in his field.

The Prem Nazir Award was initiated in his memory, in 1992, for excellence in contributions to the Malayalam cinema Industry.

Prem Nazir has held the position of National Film Award jury in 1985.

Prem Nazir is known to be the most influential and trendsetting lead actor in Malayalam.

Prem Nazir is known for his amazing longevity in that he was active during the peak years of other iconic Malayalam superstars like Sathyan and Jayan acting alongside them in 1960s and 1970s respectively.

Prem Nazir who began his movie career in the early 1950s, later acted alongside popular future stars like Shankar, Mammootty and Mohanlal by the 1980s.

Prem Nazir was a mainstream superstar in Malayalam cinema for over 30 years from the late 1950s to late 1980s.

Prem Nazir has an unofficial recognition of playing a campus character while in his late fifties.

Prem Nazir has the distinction of acting with the same heroine; Sheela, in over 100 films.

Prem Nazir is generally considered the ultimate romantic hero in Malayalam cinema due to his handsomeness and ease of acting in romantic roles particularly in romantic song sequences.

Prem Nazir has appeared in the highest number of dual roles in Indian films and perhaps in world cinema.

Prem Nazir holds the record of playing double roles in more than 40 films of his career.