Personal Profile About Shanawas
He made his film debut in films in 1981 and acted in more than 50 Malayalam films in his career. He mostly played supporting roles in films, and also acted in TV serials like Shankupushpam, Kadamattathu Kathanar, Summer in America, and Manasariyathe.
While many knew about his connection to his famous father, fewer are aware of the full Shanavas biography, which also includes a recent incident.
A Quiet Farewell to a Known Name
The news of Shanavas death came when he passed away on August 4, 2025, at the age of 70. The reason of Shanavas death was a kidney-related problem. He had been receiving treatment at a hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. His funeral was held the next day, August 5, at the Palayam Muslim Jamaat cemetery.
He was survived by his wife, Ayisha Beevi, two sons, and a daughter-in-law. His last screen appearance was in the film Jana Gana Mana in 2022.
A New Generation in the Spotlight
Shanavas son Shameer Khan tried to follow in his father's footsteps by acting in the Malayalam film Uppukandam Brothers Back in Action. Unfortunately, the film didn’t do well, and he later moved to Malaysia, where he now works as a manager and a vlogger.
The younger Shanavas son, Ajith Khan, has taken a different path and currently lives and works in Australia. Both sons are settled in their respective lives, and Shanavas is also survived by his daughter-in-law, Hana.
A Life Spanning Generations of Cinema
At the time of his death, Shanavas age was 70 years old. He was born in 1955 in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala. He was the son of Prem Nazir and Habeeba Beevi. Shanavas completed his early education in Kerala and later went on to graduate from Mar Ivanios College.
Looking back at his life, Shanavas age reflects the long journey he took from his film debut in 1981’s Premageethangal to his return in China Town in 2011 and then his last movie role in 2022.
Shanavas’ Father – Legacy of the Evergreen Hero
Shanavas father was the famous Malayalam superstar Prem Nazir. He was known as the "Evergreen Hero" and acted in over 600 movies as a lead actor. He held a Guinness World Record for that and was honored with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to Indian cinema. Shanavas father was born as Abdul Khader in 1926 and became famous in Kerala during the 1950s to 1980s.