Remembering Shanawas: Son of Prem Nazir leaves behind his own legacy ; an ’80s romantic hero | Malayalam Movie News
Malayalam actor Shanawas, son of legendary actor Prem Nazir, passed away on Monday, August 4, 2025. The actor’s demise has left the Malayalam film and television community in mourning. Though often introduced as ‘Prem Nazir’s son,’ Shanawas carved his own path, first as a romantic hero in the early ’80s and later as a beloved face on Malayalam television.Shanawas, born in 1955 and educated in Yercaud and Chennai, was encouraged by his father to pursue acting. His debut in ‘Premageethangal’ (1981) which was directed by Balachandra Menon, turned out to be a box office success. It didn’t take long for Shanawas to gain a dedicated fan following. By the end of the decade, he had appeared in around 80 films, with 25 of those featuring him in lead roles.
A decade in cinema, then a new chapter on TV
After the passing of his father in 1989, Shanawas gradually stepped away from cinema, eventually leaving the industry in 1991 to work in Dubai. But destiny had other plans. A short trip back to Kerala in 2003 turned into a remarkable comeback. He returned to the screen with ‘Kaliyodam’ and the serial ‘Shankhupushpam’.
A life in art, till the very end
Even while shining on the small screen, Shanawas never turned his back on cinema. He took on meaningful supporting roles in films such as ‘Veeraputhran’. In the film which was directed by P.T Kunju Muhammed, Shanawas played the role of a freedom fighter K.P. Kesava Menon, and Kumbasaram and ‘Zachariyayude Garbhinikal’, where his anti-hero performances stood out.
His final film appearance was in ‘Jana Gana Mana’ (2022) which was directed by Dijo Jose Antony. Many of his popular films include ‘Umaanilayam’, ‘Orikkal Oridathu’, ‘Chithram’, ‘Arhatha’, ‘Neelagiri’, ‘Inspector Balram’, ‘China Town’, ‘Veeraputhran’, ‘Dolls’, ‘Midhya’, ‘Ragam Sree Ragam’, and ‘Bhagavan’.
