Nassar (actor)

He subsequently became a regular in Mani Ratnam and Kamal Haasan 's ventures, appearing in pivotal character roles in Roja (1992), Thevar Magan (1992), Bombay (1995), Kuruthipunal (1995), Chachi 420 (1997) and Iruvar (1997). Nassar made his directorial debut with Avatharam (1995), a film based on the backdrop of a folk art troupe.

Starring Revathi as his co-star, Nassar stated that the idea had come to him as a result of his childhood memories of watching theru koothu being performed on the streets alongside his father. The film won critical acclaim, but failed to become a commercially successful venture. Soon afterwards, he made Devathai (1997), stating he remembered a story he had first heard as a child, which became the "creative seed for this film" about reincarnation.

He stated that his immediate busy schedule had subsequently cost him a role in Aamir Khan 's Lagaan (2001). He subsequently continued to work in films in the late 1990s, portraying a blind musician in Rajiv Menon 's Minsara Kanavu (1997), a political leader in Mani Ratnam 's Iruvar (1997) and as the father of a pair of separated twins in S. Shankar 's Jeans (1998).

In Malayalam cinema, he is noted for his roles alongside Mohanlal in films like Mukham (1990), Butterflies (1993) and Olympian Anthony Adam (1999). Some of the films that he has acted in Telugu include Chanti (1992), Bhageeratha (2005), Athadu (2005), Pokiri (2006), Golimaar (2010), Shakthi (2011), Dookudu (2011), Businessman (2012) and among others.