Prem Nazir
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| Prem Nazir | |
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| Born | April 7, 1926 Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India |
| Died | January 16, 1989 (aged 62) |
| Occupation | Actor |
| Official website | |
Abdul Khader (April 7, 1926 - January 16, 1989), popularly known as Prem Nazir was an actor in Malayalam films. He was awarded Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. He achieved two Guinness records for acting in the largest number of films (around one hundred and ten films) with the same heroine, Sheela[1] and as hero in over 700 films[2].
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[edit] Biography
Abdul Khader was born to Akkode Shahul Hamid and Asuma Beevi in Chirayinkizhu a village in Thiruvananthapuram district. His mother Asuma Beevi died when he was very young. His father remarried twice later, as his second wife was also short lived. Abdul Khader completed his formal education from Kadinamkulam Lower Primary School, Sri Chithiravilasam School, S D College (Alappuzha), and Saint Berchman's College (Changanassery). By the time he completed his college education, he was an experienced drama artist. On the sets of his first movie, Abdul Khader was renamed to Prem Nazir by veteran actor Thikkurussi Sukumaran Nair.
Prem Nazir's brother Prem Nawaz (Abdul Wahab) also acted in a few films. Although he was the first in the family to begin acting in movies, he later began producing films - Agniputhri, Thulaavarsham, Poojakku Edukatha Pookkal, Neethi and Keni to name a few. Prem Nawaz's only son, Prem Kishore has also had a stint with the industry by acting in two Malayalam films - Vacation and Thaskaraputran. Prem Nawaz has the distinction of acting in the first ever colour film made in Malayalam - Kandam Vechu Kottu. Prem Nazir's son Shahnawaz also tried his luck in films but could not succeed like his father.
Prem Nazir has three daughters viz. Laila (married to Engineer Rashid of Trivandrum & settled at Calicut), Rasiya (married to Mr.Hashim, Businessman from Kannur & settled at Chennai) - both elder to Shanawas. The youngest daughter is Rita (married to Doctor Sharafuddin of Punalur & settled at Muscat). Shanawas's wife Aisha (Malaysia) is the daughter of the eldest sister of Prem Nazir viz. Suleikha Beevi.
[edit] Career
Nazir started acting for the Excel company and most of his films (Malyalam) were for the Udaya and Merryland Studios. His first film was "Marumakal", produced by Paul Kallungal. He holds the record of acting in maximum number of films in a single year. This was achieved in the year 1979, when 39 of his films got released. He also holds the record for having acted in the most leading roles - about 700 films (with 85 heronies). Another record is for the most enduring screen team along with actress Sheela. They played opposite each other in 130 movies by 1975. His association with playback singer K. J. Yesudas was perfect for the audience. Even today many consider the Nazir - Yesudas combination of song sequences remains the best ever on screen. He is quite popularly described as Nithyaharithanayakan (The Evergreen Hero), which do justice to the fact that he was acting as the hero in his elder years as well.
He won the Kerala State Special Jury Award in 1981. He was awarded the Padma Bhushan Award by the President of India in recognition of distinguished services of a high order to the nation in his field (acting). The Prem Nazir Award was initiated in his memory, in 1992, for excellence in contributions to the Malayalam Cinema Industry.
Many consider the role of Bhranthan (Mentally ill) Velayuthan in the film Iruttinte Atmavu (The Soul of the Darkness) as his masterpiece. Written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair,the film provided Malayalam cinema with a new direction; that of the low budget film. One could see a lot of the pre-occupations of the scenarist, who carried the touches of human relationships through all of his subsequent films whether as screenplay writer or director. In spite of its large number of studio shots and overall theatricality, the film was so culturally rich that many of the episodes would become archetypes for future Malayalam film makers dealing with family drama. It depicted the story of an imbecile (finely portrayed by Prem Nazir) in a joint family with remarkable sensitivity and seriousness of purpose.
He tried his hand in politics and had joined the Congress Party but could not succeed in the elections.
[edit] Selected Filmography
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