Entertainment.
India’s most successful star gave 400 hits, 50 blockbusters; way more than Amitabh, Rajinikanth, Shah Rukh Khan combined
720 films as hero, 400 hits, 50 blockbusters, and 30 films in a single year – the staggering achievements of India’s most successful star are beyond belief.
The term India’s most successful actor usually evokes thoughts of the usual suspects – Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Dilip Kumar, or even Rajinikanth or Kamal Haasan. These have been some of the biggest superstars in Indian cinema, all of whom have starred in some of the biggest films of all time and given more hits than most actors can dream of. Yet, the crown does not belong to any of them, for there is one man who gave more hits as a leading man than all of them put together. (Also read: World’s highest-paid actor earned $73 million in 2023; has no hit in years, still out-earns Tom Cruise, Shah Rukh Khan)
India’s most successful star
Malayalam screen idol Prem Nazir holds multiple world records courtesy of his prolific career. A cultural icon in Kerala, Prem Nazir ruled Malayalam cinema for three decades. In a career that spanned from 1951-89, Nazir worked as the lead in a staggering 720 films, a world record for a while. He did this by working double or even triple shifts throughout his peak, appearing in as many as 30 films in a year twice (another world record). This prolific nature was combined with an exemplary strike rate of hits, as most of his films were successful. Industry insiders and trade analysts estimate that more than half of Nazir’s films as hero were box office successes, with estimates ranging from 350-500. But most film historians agree that Nazir starred in at least 400 hit films as a hero, of which 50 attained blockbuster status at the box office.
How Prem Nazir dwarfs other superstars
To understand how monumental Prem Nazir’s record is, one just needs to compare it to some of the other big stars. Amitabh Bachchan, arguably Indian cinema’s biggest name, has fewer than 60 hits as a leading man, 10 of which are blockbusters. South superstar Rajinikanth, who has been more prolific than his Bollywood contemporary, is a little ahead with over 80 hits and over a dozen blockbusters. The three Khans trail way behind, with Salman leading the pack with 39 hits (including 15 blockbusters), Shah Rukh (34 hits, including 10 blockbusters) and Aamir (20 hits, including 6 blockbusters) close behind. Even after adding the hits of all these actors, the final number is nowhere close to Prem Nazir’s hit count. Granted, some of these stars’ hits were bigger in scale than any of Nazir’s films, but the Malayalam star did all that with the limited market and audience size he had.
Prem Nazir’s stellar career
Born Abdul Khader in Travancore in 1929, Nazir began his acting career in theatre while still in college. This followed his first film – Marumakal – in 1952. It was on the sets of his second film and his first success – Visappinte Vili – that he was renamed Prem Nazir. The actor soon became a youth heartthrob and made a name for himself playing debonair characters. In the late 1950s, he moved to films with social relevance, transforming him into a superstar. From then on to the 80s, he was head and shoulders above all his contemporaries and juniors in Malayalam cinema. Regarded as the industry’s first superstar, Nazir was nicknamed Nithyaharitha Nayakan (Evergreen Hero) by the fans and the media.
By the 1980s, Nazir moved to supporting roles, realising that the audience wanted to see younger heroes. In his 50s now, he played the second lead in films starring Jayan, Sukumaran, Shankar, and Soman. However, he still had hits in the lead role, notably Padayottam (1982) and Vellarikka Pattanam (1985). However, younger stars like Mammootty and Mohanlal were now starting to appeal to the audiences more. In 1989, Nazir contracted measles and died at the age of 59. His last release was Priyadarshan’s Kadathanadan Ambadi, released in 1990.
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Bollywood
Anushka Sharma comes out to support Virat Kohli in the Ind vs Aus Test at Perth; fans say ‘Bhabhi ji in the house’
Anushka Sharma kept her look simple in a white T-shirt teamed with denims. Several photos from the stadium featuring the actor have surfaced on social media.
Anushka Sharma was in full cheer mode as she rooted for her husband, Virat Kohli, and Team India during the India vs Australia Test match in Perth on Saturday. The actor was spotted enthusiastically cheering him on from the stands, and fans were totally loving her vibe. Also read: Anushka Sharma wishes Virat Kohli on birthday with the cutest pic; son Akaay makes Instagram debut
Anushka supports Virat
The actor was spotted in the stands during the ongoing Test match between India and Australia at Optus Stadium, Perth. Anushka kept her look simple in a white T-shirt teamed with denims. Several photos and videos from the stadium featuring the actor have surfaced on social media.
In one clip, she is clapping for the team, while in one she is standing with a plate in her hand. She was also spotted celebrating along with Sanjana Ganesan when Harshit Rana took Virat Kohli’s advice to dismiss Mitchell Starc.
Before the opening test got underway, Anushka and Virat along with their kids were spotted spending time in Perth. In the photo, Virat and Anushka are seen sipping coffee with their daughter, Vamika, sitting in a stroller.
Fans react
Fans were thrilled to see Anushka come out to support her husband and took to social media to express their admiration for the couple. “She is the great support of Kohli. Great couple,” wrote one user, with another sharing, “Queen supporting the king”.
“Bhabhi ji in the house,” exclaimed one user, with another mentioning, “Bhabhi ji arrived”. “Kohli’s ladyluck,” read one comment. One user wrote, “Anushka Supporting her charm”. “Queen of cricket,” gushed one user.
More about Anushka and Virat
Anushka and Virat welcomed their elder daughter, Vamika, on January 11, 2021. They once again became parents to their younger son, Akaay, on February 15, 2024. They have not shown either of their kids’ faces to the world.
Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli divide their time between London and Mumbai as they have houses in both cities. Anushka has been away from films since her last release, Zero, in 2018. She finished Chakda Xpress, the biopic of Jhulan Goswami, in 2022. However, the film is yet to get a release date. Chakda Xpress is slated to be released on Netflix.
Group Media Publications
Entertainment News Platforms – anyflix.in
Construction Infrastructure and Mining News Platform – https://cimreviews.com/
General News Platform – https://ihtlive.com/
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