Pran is one of the superb villains in Indian cinema. He was born as Pran Krishan Sikand on 12 February 1920. He was born in Ballimaran, Old Delhi. His father, Kewal Krishan Sikand, was a civil engineer and a Government civil contractor, his mother was Rameshwari, and the couple had four sons and three daughters. He has appeared in over 350 films. Born to an affluent family he was benevolent. Pran Saheb was known to be social and friendly. Hrishikesh Mukherjee`s `Guddi` shows a glimpse of how the real life Pran was.

Career of Pran
Mohammad Wali, a writer, spotted Pran at a shop and found his face interesting. He recommended Pran Saheb to his friend Dalsukh Pancholi. He was cast as a villain in his film, `Yamla Jat` (Punjabi). What followed were other films, `Chaudhary` and `Khajanchi.` These Punjabi films were hit and they established Pran as a favourite villain. After partition Pran shifted to Mumbai with his family. His first film after a long break was `Ziddi` with Dev Anand and Kamini Kaushal. The film was directed by directed by Shaheed Lateef. `Afsana` (1951), `Aah` (1953), `Malkin` (1953) and `Badi Bahu` (1954) were his other films during this time as a villain.

Pran took everybody by surprise by essaying a positive character in Manoj Kumar`s `Upkaar` in 1960s. Then he went on to play positive characters in film, such as, `Zanjeer`, `Don`, `Amar Akbar Anthony` and `Majboor.` He had acted in films for 60 years and has left an indelible mark behind him. Apart from his villainous roles he was seen in films with strong characterisation. His elite looks, commanding voice and personality, attention grabbing smirk and spontaneous performance made him one of the most bankable actors in Indian cinema.

Pran has won several awards for his histrionic skills:
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Upkaar, 1967
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Aanso Ban Gaye Phool, 1969
Filmfare Best Actor Award for Biraj Bahu, 1973
Filmfare Best Actor Award for Parichay, 1972
Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, 1997

BFJA Awards:
Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai, 1961
Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Shaheed, 1966
Best Actor in a Supporting Role for Zanjeer, 1974

Other awards for Pran include the following:

Year	Award	Year	Award
1973	Chitrlok Cine Circle Ahmedabad, Best Character Award	1990	Kala Rattan Award presented by Punjabi Kal Sangam for 50 glorious Years, Punjab Association: an Award for 50 years in the Industry
1976	Bombay Film Award, Most Versatile Actor	1991	Cinegoers Award: ‘Abhinay Samrat Golden Jubilee Actor,’
1978	Bombay Film Award, Most Versatile Actor, North Bombay Jaycees, Best Character Actor	1992	Outstanding contribution to Indian Film Industry, Indian Motion Pictures Producers` Association
1983	Kala Bhushan Award presented by Punjabi Kala Sangam	2000	Star Screen Lifetime Achievement Award, Zee Cine Award for Lifetime Achievement, Villain of the Millennium by Stardust Award
1984	Extra Ordinary Special Award as Wizard of Acting by Bombay Film Award, Viyayshree Award, India Int. Friendship Society, ‘Ars Gratia Artis’ for excellence in emotive Art, Filmgoers Award, ‘Abhinay Samrat,’	2001	Padma Bhushan
1987	North Bombay Jaycees: Outstanding Performance of Decade	2004	Lifetime Achievement Award by the Maharashtra Government

Filmography of Pran

Year	Film	Year	Film
1942	Khandan	1971	Guddi, Naya Zamana
1948	Barsat Ki Ek Raat	1972	Ek Bechara, Parichay, Victoria No. 203
1954	Biraj Bahu	1973	Zanjeer, Bobby, Jugnu, Jheel Ke Us Paar
1955	Azad, Munimji, Chori Chori	1974	Majboor, Zehreela Insaan
1956	Devdas	1975	Sanyasi
1957	Tumsa Nahin Dekha	1976	Dus Numbari
1958	Madhumati	1977	Amar Akbar Anthony, Dharam Veer
1960	Chhalia, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai	1978	Des Pardes, Don, Ganga Ki Saugandh, Vishwanath
1961	Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai	1980	Aap Ke Diwane, Dostana, Karz
1962	Dil Tera Diwana, Half Ticket	1981	Kaalia, Naseeb
1963	Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Mere Mehboob	1983	Andha Kanoon, Naukar Biwi Ka, Souten, Nastik
1964	Kashmir Ki Kali, Rajkumar	1984	Insaaf Kaun Karega, Sharaabi
1965	Mere Sanam, Shaheed	1985	Bewafai
1966	Do Badan,Dil Diya Dard Liya, Love in Tokyo	1986	Dosti Dushmani
1967	An Evening In Paris, Pathar Ke Sanam, Ram Aur Shyam, Milan, Upkar	1988	Paap Ki Duniya, Shahenshah
1968	Safar, Brahmchari	1994	1942: A Love Story
1969	Anjaana, Tum Se Achcha Kaun Hai, Pyar Hi Pyar	1996	Tere Mere Sapne
1970	Ganwaar, Tum Haseen Main Jawan, Gopi, Heer Raanjha, Humjoli, Johny Mera Naam, Purab Aur Paschim	-	-