By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
आँख हमारी मंजिल पर है
दिल में ख़ुशी की मस्त लहर है
लाख लुभाये महल पराये
अपना घर फिर अपना घर है
आ अब लौट चलें
Pran Krishan Sikand commonly known as Pran in film circles took to villainy with heart. Earlier he featured in few Punjabi films along side Noor Jehan including “Yamla Jatt” (1940) also starring Durga Khote to begin his career .The film’s success added to his popularity . His debut Hindi film was Dalsukh Pancholi’s “Khandaan” (1942), directed by Shaukat Hussain Rizvi also starring Manorama, Ajmal & Butt.
After independence Pran came to Bombay for pastures greener. He was cast in ‘Ziddi’ featuring Dev Anand & Kamini Kaushal in the lead supported by Kuldip Kaur, Pratima Devi & Kishore Kumar, playing a negative character which became his forte in the films that followed. His career took off reasonably well. One of his earlier hits starring Meena Kumari & Dilip Kumar was “Azad”, followed by successful films many like- ‘Madhumati’, ‘Devdas’, ‘Dil Diya Dard Liya’, ‘Ram Aur Shyam’ to mention few.
“Jis Desh Mein Gang Behti Hai” (1960) starring Raj Kapoor, Padmini,Chanchal & Tiwari did wonders for the actor & he was flooded with fresh offers.The film recived 8 filmfare nominations winning four including National Award. Rest is history.
Interestingly, it was Pran who had suggested the name of Amitabh Bachchan to director Prakash Mehra for a role in the 1973 hit ‘Zanjeer’, the film which shaped the career of mega star. Dev Anand and Dharmendra were the earlier choices but they expressed their disinterest. He later featured in almost all multi-starrers of Bachchan like- ‘Don’, ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’, ‘Majboor’, ‘Dostana’, ‘Naseeb’, ‘Kaalia’ and ‘Sharabi’ as part of their understaning. “Bari Behen”(949), “Afsana” (1951), “Kashmir Ki kali” (1964) “Shaheed”, “Gumnaam” (1965), “Dus Lakh”, “Do Badan”(1966), “Brahmachari” (1968) are his other mentionable movies. He played the lead in “Khandaan” (1942) & “Halaku” (1956).
I met the actor thrice, twice albeit brief. On the last occasion I remained on the sets for two full days. Pran Lived at a bungalow in Pali Hill & I ventured to make a visit there as I was staying in a nearby bungalow named Guru Kripa at the foot of the hill.
Bestowed with the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award thrice for “Upkar”(1967), Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool (1969) & Be-Imaan. including Life Time Achievement Award in 1997. Pran was awarded the Padma Bhushan by the the Government of India in 2001 and the Dada Saheb Phalke Award(2013) for his contribution to Hindi cinema. Stardust awarded him with “Villain of the Millennium”.Pran who worked in more than 360 films was restricted to a wheel chair towards the fag end of his life. Breathed his last in 2013.
With This Writer in Mumbai
