Varkala

Prem Nazir

Prem Nazir, one of the all time super stars in Malayalam film industry, was born on 7 April 1926 in Chirayikeezhu a small town near Varkala. His parents were Akkode Shahul Hamid and Asuma Beevi who named him Abdul Khader. His debut as an actor was in the role of Shylock in the play Merchant of Venice which won him the award for best actor. He was then a student in the prestigious SB College Changanassery. He came out of the college as an experienced actor.

His got an opening in to the film industry with the movie Marumakal (1952), directed by S. K. Chari and produced by Paul Kallungal. His second film Vishappinte Vili was the breakthrough in his career. It was on the set of this film he was renamed as Prem Nazir by another renowned actor Thikkurussi Sukumaran Nair. Very soon he grew to become the nithyaharitha nayakan (ever green actor) of the Malayalam film world.

As an actor Nazir has bagged several envious and extraordinary awards and records. His amazing career has won him four Guinness records. For playing the lead role in nearly 610 films, for playing opposite the same heroine in 107, for acting in lead roles in 39 films which were released in a single year and lastly for acting opposite 80 heroines.

Nazir is regarded as one of the most successful actors in Indian cinema. Some of his most popular films are Iruttinte Athmavu, Kallichellamma, Dhwani, Murappennu, Anubhavangal Paalichakal, Padayottam, Vida Parayum Munpe, Azhakulla Saleena, and Nadhi. Considering his matchless contributions to the industry Government of India has honoured him with the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri, the third and fourth highest civilian honours respectively. He passed away in 1989.

Sree Narayana Guru

Nataraja Guru