Prem Nath

Prem Nath Malhotra (21 November 1926 – 3 November 1992) was an Indian actor, producer, and director who worked predominantly in Hindi cinema. His first major role was in the Rajput drama Ajit (1948), which was one of the earliest colour films made in India. Nath gained wider recognition with the Raj Kapoor films Aag (1948) and Barsaat (1949) and subsequently headlined the adventure film Badal (1951), a commercial success. In 1952, he portrayed the antagonist Shamsher Singh in Mehboob Khan's swashbuckler Aan, a Technicolor production that was the highest-grossing Indian film at the time. Nath appeared in over 100 films during a career spanning four decades. In a 1952 profile, author Sushila Rani Patel attributed Nath's success partly to his "cavalier-like looks" and described him as particularly effective in virile, Robin Hood-type roles. Nath continued to play leading roles through the 1950s and early 1960s, including Sagai (1951), Saqi (1952), Aurat (1953), Son of Sinbad (1958), Pathan (1962), and Rustom Sohrab (1963). Besides acting, Nath ventured into film production under the banner of P. N. Films, which he founded with his actress-wife Bina Rai. Major productions by the company included Shagufa (1953) and Prisoner of Golconda (1954); the latter was also directed by him. From the mid-1960s, Nath increasingly took on supporting and character roles, sometimes playing villains. He received four Filmfare Award nominations for Best Supporting Actor, for Shor (1972), Bobby (1973), Amir Garib and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (both 1974). His other supporting roles included Teesri Manzil (1966), Johny Mera Naam (1970), Tere Mere Sapne (1971) and Karz (1980). Nath retired in 1985 after making his final screen appearance in Hum Dono.