Who is the greatest star in the history of Indian cinema? Names such as Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth, Dilip Kumar, Chiranjeevi and Shah Rukh Khan inevitably come up in the debate. Dilip Kumar is often regarded as a leader in terms of success rate, Shah Rukh Khan has excelled in box-office earnings, while Amitabh Bachchan has dominated ticket sales. But when it comes to the sheer number of successful films, they have all been surpassed by a legendary actor from Malayalam cinema.
That actor is Prem Nazir, known to his fans as the “Nithyaharitha Nayakan,” or “Evergreen Hero.” Over a career spanning nearly four decades, Nazir appeared in around 1,000 films from the 1950s through the late 1980s, playing the lead in more than 700 of them. According to industry figures, he delivered more than 400 hit films during his career, including at least 50 blockbusters.
A Record Few Stars Can Match
The scale of Prem Nazir’s success becomes clearer when compared with the achievements of other major Indian stars.
Amitabh Bachchan, the legendary “Shahenshah” of Hindi cinema, has around 60 hit films to his name, including 11 blockbusters. South Indian superstar Rajinikanth has recorded just under 70 hits and around a dozen blockbusters. Among the modern Bollywood stars, Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan each have roughly 35 to 38 hit films, with Salman Khan leading the group in blockbusters at around 15.
Even the combined figures for Amitabh Bachchan, Rajinikanth and Shah Rukh Khan amount to roughly 150 hits and 25 blockbusters—less than half of Prem Nazir’s reported tally.
From Abdul Qader to Prem Nazir
Born in 1929, Prem Nazir’s real name was Abdul Qader. He began his career on the stage, playing Shylock in a theatre production in 1951. The following year, he made his film debut as the lead actor in Vishappinte Vili (1952), and it was around this time that he adopted the screen name Prem Nazir.
By the late 1950s, Nazir had become popular for portraying characters who stood up against social injustice. During the 1960s, he took on a wide range of dramatic roles, earning particular praise for his portrayal of a mentally disturbed young man in Iruttinte Athmavu (1967).
He also built a massive fan following by portraying revered mythological figures such as Rama, Krishna and Ayyappa.
39 Films in a Single Year
At the height of his career in the 1970s, Nazir was known for an extraordinary work ethic. He would often work on three or four films simultaneously and complete shoots within just a few weeks.
In 1979, he appeared in a record 39 films in a single year—an achievement that earned him a place in the record books.
As he crossed the age of 50 in the 1980s, the rise of younger Malayalam stars such as Jayan, Sukumaran, Shankar and Soman gradually reduced his dominance in lead roles. Nazir began taking on supporting and character parts alongside occasional lead roles.
Even then, he remained a major box-office draw, appearing in leading roles in successful films such as Padayottam (1982) and Vellarikka Pattanam (1985).
A Final Dream That Remained Unfulfilled
In 1988, Prem Nazir expressed a desire to direct a film featuring two of Malayalam cinema’s rising stars at the time, Mohanlal and Mammootty. However, illness prevented him from fulfilling that ambition.
After suffering from prolonged health problems, Nazir died on January 16, 1989, at the age of 59.
His final film, Kadathanadan Ambadi (1990), directed by Priyadarshan, was released after his death. The film featured Nazir alongside Mohanlal.
Prem Nazir’s extraordinary filmography and remarkable consistency over nearly four decades have secured his place as one of the most prolific and enduring stars in the history of Indian cinema.
