Prem Nazir (born Abdul Khader; 06 April 1926 – 16 January 1989) was an Indian actor known as one of Malayalam cinema's definitive leading men of his generation.

[citation needed] Nazir is noted for his performances in films such as Murappennu (1965), Udhyogastha (1967), Iruttinte Athmavu (1967), Kallichellamma (1969), Virunnukari (1969), Nadhi (1969), C.I.D.

Nazir (1971), Anubhavangal Paalichakal (1971), Taxi Car (1972), Azhakulla Saleena (1973), Nellu (1974), Ariyappedatha Rahasyam (1981), Vida Parayum Munpe (1981), Padayottam (1982), and Dhwani (1988).

Nazir was born in Chirayinkeezhu in the princely state of Travancore (now in Thiruvananthapuram district of Kerala), to Akkode Shahul Hamid and Asuma Beevi on 06 April 1926 in a Rowther family.

[6] He had two brothers - Prem Nawas (Abdul Wahab) - and Ashraf and six sisters - Sulekha, Arifa, Aneesa, Umaiba, Sunaisa and Suhara.

Prem Nazir had his acting debut as Shylock in the play The Merchant of Venice (1951), when he was a student at SB College, Changanacherry.

He got his career break with Visappinte Vili (1952), his second film, made for K&K Combines (Udaya Studio) by Telugu director Mohan Rao.

All such films for a long period kept him before his fans, nourished his romantic image and provided him unlimited scope for rehearsing and refining his talent in playing diverse roles.

Since the bulk of South Indian cinema was theatrical visually and aurally, Prem Nazir's stage background and his extraordinary command of Malayalam helped him win the hearts of his audience.

Playing a demented youth – Velayadhan, Prem Nazir discovered his prowess as a dramatic actor of great intensity.

It depicted the story of an imbecile (finely portrayed by Prem Nazir) in a joint family with remarkable sensitivity and seriousness of purpose.

Although Sheela is known as the lucky mascot of Prem Nazir, his movies with other heroines like Jayabharathi and Sharada were also big successes at box office.

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

In 1981, he played a major supporting role in Mohan's Vida Parayum Munpe that earned him the Kerala State Special Jury Award.

[citation needed] Based loosely on the evergreen classic, The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, Nazir played the titular role of Thamban, a prince who is cheated by his so called dear ones and friends and made a slave in a vessel.

[citation needed] His second last film was Ayalvasi Oru Daridravasi(1986), where he starred with Mukesh, Shankar, Nedumudi Venu, Sukumari and Seema.

Although the series may have been initiated by Sathyan's title role in Thacholi Othenan, the trend was continued long after his demise with Nazir in the lead, playing various other characters from Vadakkanpattu.

Third generation of Prem Nazir, Shanavas's son Shameer Khan, acted in a Malayalam film, Uppukandam Brothers Back in Action.

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.

[14] 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.

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

Nazir's golden era in Malayalam cinema was characterized by his unparalleled generosity, where he not only contributed to his own success but also facilitated the growth of others in the industry.

Beyond his cinematic achievements, Nazir donated an elephant to the Sarkara Devi Temple in Chirayinkil and authored books such as "Enne Thediyethiya Kathapatrangal" detailing the film characters he portrayed and his autobiography, "Anubhvangal Oarmakal."

[15] It was during the late 1980s, during a time that Nazir campaigned rigorously for a running candidate in politics, he was admitted to Vijaya Hospital due to duodenal ulcer.

He 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 (acting).

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

Nazir (1971) 5 Taxi Car (1972) 6 Thirichadi (1971) as Kuttappan/Venu 7 Rahasyam (1969) as Babu/K.K.Nair 8 Seemantha Puthran (1978) as Surendran/Jayadevan 9 Makane Ninakku Vendi (1971) as Sam/Thomachan 10 Aromalunni (1974) as Kunjiraman/Aromalunni 11 Gandharvakshethram (1974) as Gandharvan/Velayudhan 12 Postmane Kananilla (1973) as Ramu/Aniyan 13 Football Champion (1976) as Vijayan/ Thakil Veerachami 14 Thenaruvi (1976) as Rajan/Mannaan.

15 Ragapournami (1978) as Vinayan/Ajayan 16 Thacholi Marumakan Chandu (1980) as Othenan/Kutty 17 Honeymoon (1974) 18 Mamangam (1980) as Marathandan/Kannan 19 Pathiravum Pakalvelichavum (1974) 20 Durga (1974) as Prof. Damodaran/Ramu 21 Kottaaram Vilkkaanundu (1975) as Murali 22 Picnic (1975) as Ravivarma/Rajagopal 23 Pichathikuttappan (1979) 24 Aaranyakaantam (1979) as Unnikrishnan/Duplicate Unni 25 Ariyappedatha Rahasyam (1981) 26 Kadamattathachan (1978) as Ravivarma/Kadamattathu Kathanar 27 Ajayanum Vijayanum (1978) as Ajayan/Vijayan 28 Paarijatham (1976) 29 Vanadevatha (1976) as Chandran/Suresh 30 Chennaaya Valarthiya Kutty (1976) as Sreeni/Maranchadi.