Bhubaneswar: From a dreadful villain to ready-to-die friend Sher Khan, Pran Sahab had shown the great versatility in his acting career spanning over 360 films.
The world of cinema is observing 105th birth anniversary of the late Pran Krishan Sikand Wednesday. Better known mononymously as Pran, this great actor was born on 12 February 1920. He breathed his last on 12 July 2013.
Pran sahab was born in Lahore, which was then part of British India and is now in Pakistan. His father was a civil engineer and a government contractor, and his mother was a housewife.
Though he had a passion for photography and football since his childhood, he joined the world of cinema and had been one of the most successful and respected actors in the history of Indian cinema.
In a career spanning over six decades he was also one of the highest-paid actors of his time.
In a long and prolific career, Pran appeared in over 362 films.
Pran sahab played the leading man in Khandaan (1942), Pilpili Saheb (1954) and Halaku (1956), and was known for his roles in Madhumati (1958), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Shaheed (1965), Upkar (1967), Ram Aur Shyam (1967), Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool (1969), Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Johny Mera Naam (1970), Victoria No. 203 (1972), Be-Imaan (1972), Zanjeer (1973), Majboor (1974), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Don (1978), Sharaabi (1984) and Duniya (1984).
FILMY DEBUT
Pran sahab started his acting career with a small role in the Punjabi film Yamla Jat in 1941. He then acted in the Punjabi films like Chaudhary and Khajanchi.
In 1942, he made debut in Bollywood. His first film had been Khandaan opposite Noor Jehan.
But he attained the fame in the film Ziddi starring Dev Anand and Kamini Kaushal. Pran Sahab played the antagonist role in the Dev Sahab starred movie.
No looking back since then, he established himself as the most popular and successful villain in Hindi cinema in the 1950s and 1960s.
AS VILLAIN
Though Pran Sahab played a myriad of negative characters, such as gangsters, smugglers, dacoits, rapists, murderers, traitors, and spies, he was known for his distinctive voice, mannerisms, expressions, and costumes. He often used different accents and dialects to suit his roles.
His iconic villainous roles were in films like
- Sheesh Mahal (1950(
- Aah (1953)
- Jashan (1955)
- Munimji (1955)
- Amar Deep (1958)
- Adalat (1958)
- Chori Chori (1956)
- Jagte Raho (1956)
- Chhalia (1960),
- Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960)
- Dil Hi Toh Hai (1963)
- Shaheed (1965)
- Johny Mera Naam (1970)
- Joshila (1973)
- Warrant (1975)
- Des Pardes (1978).
PRAN WITH DILIP KUMAR
He had an iconic pairing with Dilip Kumar. Together, they have done films such as Azaad (1955), Devdas (1955), Madhumati (1958), Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966), Ram Aur Shyam (1967), Aadmi (1968), Duniya (1984), Dharm Adhikari, and others.
POSITIVE ROLES
Pran sahab played positive and comic roles with equal ease and flair. He portrayed characters such as a loyal friend, a loving father, a benevolent brother, a humorous uncle, and a patriotic citizen.
He took on the role of Malang Chacha, a seasoned war hero, in Manoj Kumar's 1967 film Upkar. The popular song "Kasme Waade Pyaar Wafaa" by Kalyanji Anandji was picturized on him in the movie.
Some of his notable character roles were in films like Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool (1969), Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Victoria No. 203 (1972), Be-Imaan (1972), Majboor (1974), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Don (1978), Sharaabi (1984), and Duniya (1984) still mesmerize cinephiles.
WITH AMITABH BACHCHAN
Pran has done about 14 films with Amitabh Bachchan, including Zanjeer (1973), where he played fan favourite Sher Khan, Majboor (1974), Don (1978), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Dostana (1980), Kaalia (1981), Naseeb (1981), Andha Kanoon (1983), Nastik (1983), Sharaabi (1984), Shahenshah (1988), Jaadugar (1989), and Toofan (1989). Amitabh Bachchan specially requested Pran Sab to be a part of his home production, Tere Mere Sapne (1996).
"Hum Bolega To Bologe Ke Bolta Hai" from Kasauti (1974), and "Micheal Daru Peeke Dandha Kartha Hai" from Majboor (1974), which were picturized on Pran, are still very popular.
HONOURS
Pran received many awards and honours in his career. He won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting actor in Zanjeer.for the famous songs "Yari Hai Iman Mera" from Zanjeer,
He was awarded the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1997. He was also honoured with the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013 by the Government of India for his contributions to the art of cinema. He was also named the "Villain of the Millennium" by Stardust magazine in 2000.
