Prem Nazir was an Indian actor known as one of Malayalam cinema's definitive leading men of his generation. He is widely regarded as one of the most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema. A popular cultural icon of Kerala, Nazir is often referred to as Nithyaharitha Nayakan. Nazir began his career as a stage actor and made his film debut with the 1952 film Marumakal. He took on the stage name Prem Nazir on the sets of his second film, Visappinte Vili (1952).
Ramanan is the most celebrated work of Malayalam poet Changampuzha Krishna Pillai. It is a play written in the form of verse. It is a pastoral elegy written after the death of his friend, Edappally Raghavan Pillai. Written in 1936, it is the bestseller of Malayalam literature.
Thulabharam is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by A. Vincent. It is based on the Kerala People's Arts Club play of the same name, written by Thoppil Bhasi. Thoppil Bhasi also adapted the play for the screen. The film had an ensemble cast including Prem Nazir, Sharada, Madhu, Sheela, Thikkurisi Sukumaran Nair and Adoor Bhasi. The film won two National Awards. The film was a major blockbuster and following the Malayalam version, the film was made in Tamil (Thulabharam), Telugu and Hindi, with Sharada playing lead roles in all versions.
Ramanan is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language romantic musical film written, directed and produced by D. M. Pottekkat. It is an adaptation of Ramanan (1936), a poem by Changampuzha Krishna Pillai. The film stars Prem Nazir and Sheela. Madhu, Kottayam Chellappan, Kamaladevi, Meenakumari, Ramu Kariat, Adoor Bhasi, Usha Kumari and Manavalan Joseph play other important roles. The film was noted for its technical brilliance and for being the adaptation of an immortal poetical work, but was a box office flop.
Murappennu is a 1965 Malayalam-language drama film directed by A. Vincent and written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair. The film stars Prem Nazir in the lead role with an ensemble supporting cast including Sharada, Madhu, Jyothilakshmi, K. P. Ummer, P. J. Antony, Jyothilakshmi and Adoor Bhasi playing the pivotal roles. The film revolves around a joint family and the romantic relationships between the cousins of the family. The film explores the Indian custom of marriage between cousins.
Thirichadi is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by Kunchacko. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Adoor Bhasi and Adoor Pankajam.
Ammu is a 1965 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by N. N. Pisharady and produced by M. Kesavan. The film stars Ambika in the eponymous role along with Sathyan, Madhu, Sukumari and Adoor Bhasi in pivotal roles. It marked actress Sujatha Menon’s debut film as an actress in the industry.
Bhoomiyile Malakha is a 1965 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by P. A. Thomas. The film stars Prem Nazir and Rajalakshmi, with Sukumari, Lakshmi, Adoor Bhasi and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair in supporting roles. The film had musical score by Jaya Vijaya, M. A. Majeed and P. S. Divakar.
Tharavattamma is a 1966 Indian Malayalam-language drama film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by N. Vasudevan. The film stars Sathyan, Sheela, Sukumari and Thikkurissy Sukumaran Nair. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj.
Collector Malathy is a 1967 Indian Malayalam film, directed by M. Krishnan Nair and produced by A. K. Subrahmaniam. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Ambika and Sukumari in the lead roles. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj.
Nagarame Nanni is a 1967 Malayalam language film, written by M. T. Vasudevan Nair and directed by A. Vincent. The film stars Prem Nazir, Usha Nandhini, Madhu and K. P. Ummer among others. The film tells the story of a family that migrates from a village to the city of Madras in search of a better life. The theme was about the lure of the city and how the dreams of villagers are shattered by its inexorable logic of greed. The plot is similar to the 1965 film The Conquerors of the Golden City, directed by Getin Gurtop and the 1964 film Birds of Exile by Halit Refig. K. Balachander's Tamil film Pattina Pravesham (1977) was based on all these three films.
Koottukudumbam is a 1969 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan. The film starsSathyan Prem Nazir,, Sheela and Sharada. It was released on 28 November 1969.
Virunnukari is a 1969 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed and produced by P. Venu. The film stars Prem Nazir, Madhu, Sheela and Usha.
Karinizhal (Darkness) is a 1971 Indian Malayalam film directed by J. D. Thottan and produced by Kovai Ramaswamy. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Sheela and Sukumari in the lead roles. The film has musical score by G. Devarajan.
Sarasayya is a 1971 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by Thoppil Bhasi and produced by P. V. Sathyam. The film stars Sathyan, Madhu, Sheela and Jayabharathi. It is a sequel to the Malayalam film Ashwamedham (1967), and an adaptation of Thoppil Bhasi's play of the same name. It won the Kerala State Film Award for Best Film.
Veendum Prabhatham is a 1973 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by M. P. Rao and M. R. K. Moorthy. The film stars Prem Nazir, Vijayasree, Sharada, Jose Prakash and Prema. It was released on 27 April 1973 and became a success.
Ara Nazhika Neram is a 1970 Malayalam film, directed by K. S. Sethumadhavan and written by Parappurath, based on his own novel Ara Nazhika Neram. Parappurath also played a minor role in the film. The story of the film revolves around an Orthodox Christian family headed by Kunjenachan, a ninety-year-old patriarch who lives his life by The Book. The film also features Prem Nazir, Sathyan, Ragini, Sheela, K. P. Ummer, Adoor Bhasi and Ambika Sukumaran.
Lakshaprabhu is a 1968 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and produced by Raveendranathan Nair. The film stars Prem Nazir, Sheela, Sukumari and Adoor Bhasi. The film had musical score by M. S. Baburaj.
Ningalenne Communistakki is a 1970 Indian Malayalam-language film written and directed by Thoppil Bhasi and produced by Kunchacko. It is based on the play of the same name. The film stars Sathyan, Prem Nazir, Sheela and Jayabharathi in the lead roles. The film had musical score by G. Devarajan. The film was huge hit.
Anweshichu Kandethiyilla is a 1967 Indian Malayalam-language film, directed by P. Bhaskaran and written by Parappurath. The film stars K. R. Vijaya, Sathyan and Madhu. Based on Parappurath's novel of the same name, it recounts the quest for happiness by a nurse with the best of intentions, but who is disillusioned. The film was made as a reply to the biblical homily, ‘seek and ye shall find’. Anweshichu Kandethiyilla won the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Malayalam.
