Pran Sikand Ahluwalia
One of the most famous actors – Pran Sikand Ahluwalia formed the trio of the greatest actors for negative or villain roles in hindi films . The trio being Pran himself , Madan Puri and Amrish Puri with undoubtedly Pran was the best . He had been one of the most highly successful , respected and highly paid veteran actors in the history of hindi cinema having performed character roles with as much perfection as negative roles . Pran wanted to be a photographer but chanced in to films and started his acting career at Lahore in 1940 with Punjabi movie Yamla Jat in the role of a villain and made his first appearance in Hindi-film Khandaan ( 1942) as a romantic hero . Pran had acted in 22 films like Kaisey kahoon कैसे कहूँ, Khamosh Nigahen ख़ामोश निगाहें, from 1942 to 1946 in Lahore .A few days before the partition of the country, he came to bombay but soon massacre, blood bath and riots broke out in lahore and he immediately sensed that there is now no going back to Lahore . He then initially worked in Delmar hotel, marine drive , before getting a break in film Jiddi ज़िद्दी starring devanand . Within a week of Ziddi’s success, he was offered three more films namely Grihasti गृहस्थी (1948), which became a diamond jubilee hit, Apradhi अपराधी (1949) and Putli पुतली ( 1949). As a villain, Pran’s initial successful films were Ziddi and Bari Behan (1949) and it is in the latter in which Pran’s trademark and famous blowing of cigarette smoke rings appeared for the first time . He was regularly offered the role of the main villain or of a negative character in films with Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor in the 1950s and 60s .During 1950s and 1960s ; Pran’s performance as the negative character was extremely appreciated especially in Dilip Kumar starred films Azaad (1955), Devdas (1955), Madhumati (1958), Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966), Ram Aur Shyam (1967) and Aadmi (1968) and Dev Anand starred films Ziddi (1948), Munimji (1955), Amar Deep (1958), Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961) and also Raj Kapoor starred films Aah (1953), Chori Chori (1956), Jagte Raho (1956), Chhalia (1960), Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai (1960) and Dil Hi Toh Hai (1963). He then acted in films Pilpili Saheb (1954) and Halaku 1956 as hero and both films were also big hits . He performed in several films in variety of roles like as a pirate in Sindbad the Sailor (1952) Daughter of Sindbad (1958), in action-packed thrillers like Azad (1955); historicals like Aan (1952) and Raj Tilak (1958) , on social themes like Baradari (1955) and as light romantic Munimji (1955) and Asha (1957) . During the above period , Pran played the roles of generally a dangerous , scaring and petrifying type of villain and as such got notoriety and it was so much that people in those times had stopped naming their children as “ PRAN “ . However from late 1960s, Pran also started playing various character roles starting with the famous sympathetic and mentor typed role as Malang Chacha मलंग चाचा , a veteran war hero, in Manoj Kumar’s super hit film Upkar उपकार ( 1967). The evergreen song “Kasme Waade Pyaar Wafaa” कसमे वादे प्यार वफा was picturised on him and he received his first Filmfare Award for this film .Manoj Kumar then continued to engage him in pivotal roles in his films such as Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Be-Imaan (1972), Sanyasi (1975) and Dus Numbri (1976 ) .He followed up his character roles in hit films like Nanha Farishta (1969), Jangal Mein Mangal (1972), Dharma (1973), Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara (1973) and Rahu Ketu (1978). Actor Pran was also quite friendly with Ashok Kumar and they both acted together in 27 films from 1951 to 1987 starting with Afsana (1951). Their other films include Mr. X (1957), Adhikar (1971), famous film Victoria No. 203 (1972), hit film Chori Mera Kaam (1975) and Raja Aur Rana (1984). The famous and popular songs “ Hum Bolega To Bologe Ke Bolta Hai” हम बोले गा तो बोलेगे की बोलता है in film Kasauti (1974) and “Micheal Daru Peeke Dandha Kartha Hai” माइकल दारू पी कर धन्धा करता है from film Majboor (1974) were picturised on Pran . Pran also worked with Rajesh khanna in films — Maryada मर्यादा (1971), Jaanwar जानवर (1983), Souten सौतन 1983), Bewafai बेवफ़ाई ( 1985) and Durgaa दुर्गा (1985).Pran also acted with Amitabh Bachchan in about 14 films with notable and super hit ones being Zanjeer (1975) , Majboor (1974), Don (1978), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Dostana (1980), Kaalia (1981), Naseeb (1981) and Sharaabi (1984).Pran’s role as Sher Khan, with his red wig and brown beard in the role of a Pathan was very well appreciated in hit movie Janjeer ज़ंजीर.Pran didn’t completely stop negative roles and thus from the year 1971 to 1992 he did appear as a villain in films like Maryada, Naya Zamana, Jawan Muhabat, Aan Baan, Roop Tera Mastana, Yeh Gulistan Hamara, Gaddar, Rahu Ketu, Andha Kanoon , Duniya , Insaaf Kaun Karega, Durgaa, Bewafai, Hoshiyar, Dharm Adhikari and Azaad Desh Ke Ghulam. He had double roles in Khoon Ka Rishta, Insaaf and Jangal Mein Mangal.In 1998, at the age of 78, Pran suffered a heart attack and thereafter he stopped accepting film roles but to help Amitabh , he worked in his films Tere Mere Sapne (1996) and Mrityudata (1997) and after 2000 , he made a few guest appearances. He had been admitted to lilavati hospital for a few times in the year 2013 for deteriorating health and finally died on 12 July 2013 at the age of 93 . Pran’s death was widely noted and condoled by his millions of admirers , media and by the film industry . The then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh paid his condolences on his death and called him “an icon” .
Pran was recipient of following deserving awards :-
1.Three Filmfare Awards for the Best Supporting Actor for film Upkar, Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool and Be-Imaan .
2.Three Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards for best supporting roles .
3.Filmfare, Star Screen and Zee Cine Awards for life time achievements.
4.Padma Bhushan in the year 2001 .
5. And the Most prestigious “The Dada Saheb Phalkey award “ in may, 2013 .
6.In 1997 he was awarded the Filmfare’s Lifetime Achievement .
7.He was also declared the “Villain of the Millennium” by Stardust in 2000.
8.In the year 2010, he was named in the list of CNN’s Top 25 Asian actors of all times .
Besides above ; he got and won about 17 more awards and recognitions . Pran in his illustrious career of 50 years acted in about 350 films as a villain and character actor with powerful performance almost unparalleled and earned tremendous name and fame . He used to be the primary choice for producers and directors.He used to indulge in social activities, had a passion for football and was always helpful to the needy and used to organise events to raise funds for charity.He will be remembered for centuries by people as and when his movies are seen by the future generations. A great salute to him !
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Six stars
