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Pran
Pran was a prolific actor who excelled in the roles of the villains in popular Bollywood movies.

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Pran, Indian ActorPran is one of the superb villains in Indian cinema, in fact the iconic villain the metaphor for evil according to Mahesh Bhatt. 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.

Filmfare Awards won by Pran:
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 - -


Recently he is being awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Lifetime Achievement Award, the nation`s top cine award in the year 2013. After a prolonged illness, this great soul left for heavenly abode on 12th July 2013, at the age of 93.




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