With his dashing mannerisms and intensity, Pran came to be known as the most fearsome villain that Hindi cinema ever had before breaking the mould to play iconic character roles in films like Zanjeer and Upkaar in a career spanning six-decades.
The veteran actor died at a hospital here this evening at the age of 93. Such was the magic of his onscreen villainy that people stopped naming their children ‘Pran’ at the height of his fame.
Ironically, while he was feared as a villain on screen, he was a gentleman in real life. Pran Kishan Sikand was born on February 12, 1920, to a civil engineer in Delhi.
He wanted to be a photographer but a chance meeting with writer Wali Mohammad Wali, who was writing Punjabi film Yamala Jat, brought him to the world of cinema. He played the hero in the film opposite Noorjehan.
The film became a hit and the pair starred together in their first Hindi film Khandaan.
After Partition, he started trying his luck in Mumbai without much success.
With the help of Saadat Hasan Manto and actor Shyam, Pran landed a role in Dev Anand-Kamini Kaushal starrer Ziddi. With the success of the film, Pran never looked back playing negative roles in Madhumati, Ram Aur Shyam, Munimji and Kashmir Ki Kali.
With a string of powerful performances, Pran had at one stage commanded almost the same price and sometimes more than onscreen hero and his name would appear alongside the name of the lead actor.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Saturday condoled the demise of Pran Kishan Sikand, known as Pran, describing him as ‘an icon’ and a talent whose “versatility in etching a lasting impression on cinema audience’s mind improved with time”.
In a condolence message, Manmohan Singh said: “Pran had entertained several generations of Indians with his riveting performances in hundreds of celluloid roles.
His versatility in etching a lasting impression on cinema audience’s mind improved with time for which he was bestowed with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.”
“He worked with doyens of film industry among which he was an icon,” said Singh, expressing sadness over Pran’s passing away.
“I convey my heartfelt condolences to the members of the bereaved family and Pran’s countless fans and admirers.
I pray for peace of the departed soul,” he added.
The thespian was bestowed the 44th Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Lifetime Achievement earlier this year.
Later, when he moved from Lahore to Bombay (now Mumbai), with the help of renowned writer Saadat Hasan Manto and actor Shyam, Pran got a break in Bombay Talkies’ film Ziddi, in which Dev Anand played the lead role.
That set the momentum for the versatile talent, who brought new mannerisms and style and lent new dimensions to negative characters.
If he played villain convincingly in films like Madhumati, Ziddi and Ram Aur Shyam, with the same ease he slipped into character roles like the lovable Malang Chacha in Upkar or a loyal friend Sher Khan in Zanjeer.
Among his memorable movies are Azaad, Madhumati, Devdas, Dil Diya Dard Liya, Ram Aur Shyam, Aadmi, Ziddi, Munimji, Amardeep, Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai, Chori Chori, and Chhalia. (IANS)