Why memories about Prem Nazir are still evergreen?

It is 30 years since Prem Nazir left the scene for ever. But the evergreen hero lives on in public memory. Why is he still remembered fondly? Is it because of the roles he enacted? Those who were fortunate to be close to the actor would stress that such a man can never appear again. Today, Januray 16, on his 30th death anniversary, some among them remember Nazir, the man. 

Nazir as body double

Many stars attract fans with their acting prowess but Nazir surprised everyone with his big heart. R S Prabhu, a producer and director, remembers the time when he was in charge of the Chandrathara Productions owned by T K Pareekutty. “Some of the films produced under the banner flopped. So we decided to experiment with Nazir’s brother, Prem Navaz, as the hero. During the shooting of the film, ‘Nadodikal’, Prem Navaz suffered a serious injury to his leg and could not act. As the release date was already announced, the distributors became uneasy. I thought of a solution unimaginable these days,” said Prabhu. 

“I asked Prem Nazir whether he would act as the body double of Prem Navaz. That time Chandrathara’s films had Sathyan in the lead role and Nazir had never acted in its projects. My request to Nazir could easily have been rudely rejected. But Nazir being a true gentleman replied that he was already doing four schedules and had little time to spare,” says Prabhu. 

Prabhu suggested that Nazir could act for the movie at night. Nazir agreed and he worked for two hours a day over four nights and completed the film. “Such a gesture could be expected only from Prem Nazir,” commented Prabhu.

Later, Prabhu met Prem Nazir at Vijaya Hospital days before his demise. “Mr Prabhu, doctors say that this is a contagious disease. So don’t stay here for long,” Prem Nazir said. He was concerned over the health of the visitor even during the last stage of his life. 

Prabhu directed only one film. It was titled ‘Rajamalli’ and had Prem Nazir in the lead. “Prem Nazir had a mind that was more beautiful than the Rajamalli flower,” stated Prabhu. 

‘Can you please come here?’

Even when he was a leading super star, Prem Nazir never ordered others to carry out his wishes. Instead, he would request others to come and meet him, remembers P David, a cinematographer who worked with Nazir in 64 films.

“I have focused my camera on hundreds of film stars, each having their own peculiarity. But Nazir looked handsome from all angles. However, every cinematographer were a failure in capturing Nazir – nobody could depict the beauty of his mind,” elaborated David.

A heart of gold

It was the 1980's and the legendary actor bought the Blue Star building at Valluvarkkottam, in the heart of Chennai. It was one of the major properties at that time. Prem Nazir paid Rs 25 lakh as advance after fixing the price at Rs 65 lakh. According the agreement, the registration would take place after six months, remembers Alleppey Asharaf, director and screenplay writer.

But the area witnesses a real estate boom during the next six months. The market price of Blue Star building and the land on which it was located almost doubled. The owner changed his mind about selling the building and the matter went to court. “The High Court ruled in favour of Prem Nazir, but the owner became ill and was admitted to hospital,” said Asharaf.

Nazir reached the hospital and met the owner in the intensive care unit. “A scene from any of Nazir’s movies followed. The building owner broke down before the super star and said, ‘Nazir Sir, save me; I have three girl children.’ Nazir told something to the man’s family members and left the hospital,” continued Asharaf.

“Later, at a shooting location, I asked Nazir about it and he replied, ‘Poor fellow; I returned that building to him.’ That was Nazir,” sumed up Asharaf.

Nazir also has made surprising huge donations when only small amounts were expected. “Once, the office-bearers of Sarkara Devi Temple at Chirayinkeezh decided to buy a tusker for the shrine. They met Nazir, who hailed from the place, to inaugurate the distribution of receipts for collecting funds. But Prem Nazir’s respose left them dumb-founded. He told them that there was no need to canvass for money and that he would buy an elephant for them. Nazir kept his word and a tusker with all proper physical features was offered to the temple by the actor,” explained Asharaf.

“No wonder actor Thikkurissi commented that a tusker, the sea and Prem Nazir are three entities that one will never get tired looking at,” he added.

‘Radhamma, bring some cash from Mummy’

Actress Vanchiyoor Radha was a family friend of Prem Nazir. During those days, she started the day by offering prayers at Mahalingapuram Temple and headed straight to Nazir’s house in Chennai. 

“One day, at Nazir’s house, I saw a noted Malayalam writer. Nazir and the writer were engaged in a conversation. Suddenly Nazir called ‘Mummy’. It was how the actor addressed his wife. She brought a packet from the cupboard. The packet was handed over to the writer. The writer had, in fact, come to invite Nazir for his daughter’s wedding but the magnanimous actor gave the entire amount he had received as advance for a movie as the gift,” recalled Radha.

This was only one among the numerous such instances where Nazir displayed his big heart, she adds.

“Nazir was firm on two matters. Firstly, anyone who reached his house during meal time should be provided food. Secondly, never disappoint people who sought his help,” said Radha.

She was among those who were present at Vijaya Hospital during Nazir’s last days. “I spent the days in prayer. Even ‘prasad’ from Attukal Temple was brought and applied to Nazir’s forehead. But everything was in vain,” said Radha sadly.

Such a man will never be born again, all of these personalities affirm, in one voice.