Prem Nazir had a glorious time in Tamil cinema also. Probably, he was the only Malayalam film actor who had contributed to Tamil film industry during the golden age of Tamil cinema, that is, 1950s to 1970s. He established his ‘evergreen romantic hero’ image in Tamil cinema also and had acted opposite leading ladies such as Pandaribai, Mainavathi, Rajasulochana, and M.N. Rajam, among others. Most of his Tamil films were box office hits. Aalukkoru Veedu (1960) was the only Tamil film in which Sathyan, the contemporary super star, acted as hero.
Nazir’s first Tamil film Thai Piranthaal Vazhi Pirakkum (1958) was a huge hit. Produced and directed by A.K. Velan under the banner of Archana Pictures, it is even said that the producer built the famous Arunachalam Studios with the collection from the film.
Even before his debut in Tamil, he was familiar to the Tamil audience with the Tamil remakes of his Malayalam films like Achan ( Thanthai , 1953) and Vishappinthe Vili ( Pashiyin Kodumai, 1952). The dubbed version of Ponkathir ( Irulukku Pinn , 1954) was a box office hit.
Prem Nazir was featured in leading Tamil film magazines, especially Peshum Padam , the most popular film magazine of the time. The annual issue of Peshum Padam of 1961 came out with ‘A Day with Prem Nazir’, a photo session featuring his routine. The May 1958 issue carried an open letter to his fans, running into 10 pages. Peshum Padam
The producers of the films always took care to project Prem Nazir in film posters, though he was not the hero of some of the films.
It was a time when MGR, Sivaji Ganeshan and Gemini Ganeshan were in the fore front of Tamil cinema. Stars like S. S. Rajendran and Kalyan Kumar were also there as leading stars.
By the mid-Sixties Prem Nazir started keeping away from Tamil films, probably because of his busy schedule in Malayalam cinema. Moreover, he was the favourite hero of Neela Productions and Udaya Studios, both of which were based in Kerala.
Prem Nazir’s Tamil movies
Thai Piranthaal Vazhi Pirakkum , Nalla Idathu Sambandham , Naan Valartha Thankai , Periya Koil , Arumai Makal Abhirami , Ulakam Shirikkirathu , Uzhavukkum Thozhilukkum Vandanei Seivom , Ore Vazhi , Kalyanikku Kalyanam , Koodi Vazhnthaal Kodi Nanmai , Sahodari , Sollu Thambi Sollu , Vannakkili , Anbukkor Anni , Irumanam Kalarnthaal Thirumanam , Onru Pattaal Undu Vazhvu , Thankam Manassu Thankam , Thanka Rathinam , Thilakam , Aasthikkoraanum Ashaikkoru Pennum , Pettaval Kanda Peruvaazhvu , Paalum Pazhamum , Pirantha Naal , Thenral Veesum , Ethaiyum Thaankum Idhayam , Muradan Muthu , Vazhikaatti
Remakes
Pashiyin Kodumai ( Vishappinte Vili) , Thanthai (Achan) , Manthravadi (Manthravadi)
Dubbed movies
Irulukku Pinn (Ponkathir),CID (CID),Paadatha Painkili (Paadatha Painkili),Kaattu Maina (Kaattu Maina), Bilwamangal (Chilamboli), Marma Kai (Karutha Kai),Mayavi (Mayavi),Sakunthalai (Shakunthala)
