#GoldenFrames: Prem Nath, one of the most handsome & talented actors of Bollywood - Prem Nath started his acting c- Navbharat Times Photodhamal

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Prem Nath started his acting career in the 1940s and has over 150 movies to his credit. The actor showcased a different style with every movie. He was earning more than other lead actors at one point. While most actors wanted to project themselves as heroes, Prem Nath chose to be an antagonist. He was ahead of his time. Unlike other actors who would rather retire than do character roles, Nath proved them wrong. He juggled many roles from a loyal brother-in-law, a loving husband, spiritual messenger to a loving father in real life.

In This Pic : prem nath, goldenframes

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Born on November 21, 1926, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan—Prem Nath moved to Jabalpur with his family after partition. When he was in school, he wrote letters to his uncle Prithviraj Kapoor wanting to join films. Being an inspector's son, Nath was sent to the army. One day, Nath wrote a letter to his father asking for ₹100 to buy a gun. With that money, he came to Mumbai and met his uncle Prithviraj Kapoor to become an actor. He was one of the early members of Prithviraj Kapoor's Prithvi Theatres.

In This Pic : Prithviraj Kapoor, prem nath, goldenframes

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He debuted with the movie 'Ajit' (1948), and a series of hits followed, including ‘Barsaat’ (1949), ‘Naujawan’ (1951) and ‘Aan’ (1952). According to Rishi Kapoor in a documentary, in 'Barsaat', Nath honed his acting style and got his tough-man image in 'Aan'.

In This Pic : Rishi Kapoor, prem nath, goldenframes

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Prem Nath was paid ₹1.25 lakh per day, while Raj Kapoor got ₹75,000, Dilip Kumar ₹50,000 and Dev Anand ₹35,000. After 'Aag' (1948) and 'Barsaat' (1949), he rose higher. The actor had a fit body, he exercised regularly. Girls were so crazy about him that there were instances of them tearing off his clothes.

In This Pic : Raj Kapoor, prem nath, goldenframes, Dilip Kumar

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Soon, Nath and Raj Kapoor became friends. Once they went to Jabalpur together, where Raj saw Krishna, Nath’s sister. Raj Kapoor fell in love with her and they got married. Kapoor would often joke with Nath saying, “Saari khudai ek taraf, joru ka bhai ek taraf! (All the digging aside, wife's brother aside!)"

In This Pic : Raj Kapoor, prem nath, goldenframes