This actor’s name is recorded in four Guinness World Records, acted in 700 films, including 50 blockbusters; Can you recognise him?

In today’s time, if someone is asked who the most popular actor in India is, the first names that come to mind would be Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Salman Khan, Rajinikanth, or Kamal Haasan. If we tell you that this assumption is completely wrong, it might be a little hard to believe, but it’s true. There has been an actor in the South Indian film industry whose record has not been broken by any actor, whether from Bollywood or the South, to date.

Born in Kerala in a Rowther family, the actor started getting interested in acting after being a part of a play in his college. He started acting professionally in Malayalam movies like Marumakal Visappinte Villi. The actor entered the industry as Abdul Khader, but he changed his name to Prem Nazir. It was on the set of Mohan Rao’s film, where he was renamed by Thikkurussi Sukumaran Nair.

Known as the evergreen hero, Prem Nazir holds the Guinness World Records for playing opposite the same heroine in 130 films (with Sheela), and previously held the record for playing the lead role in a record 720 films. He also holds two other acting records; for acting opposite eighty heroines and for acting in lead roles in 30 films which were released in a single year (1973 and 1977).

The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Bhushan the third highest civilian honours respectively, for his contribution towards the arts.

Some of his notable works include 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).

Prem Nazir is a name with whom no actor has been able to compete, even to this day. He died due to measles on 16 January 1989 at the age of 62.

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