Pran started out in the 40s as a hero in Punjabi films but went on to make a tremendous impact as an antagonist in Hindi films. In his heyday, his name evoked so much dread that people stopped naming their children Pran.
In his over six decades in the film industry, Pran acted in more than 350 films including Madhumati, Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai, Upkar, Shaheed, Zanjeer, Don and Amar Akbar Anthony to name a few.
Such was his clout and
such the sophistication he lent to being a villain that in the 70s, Pran
was actually paid more than the heroes of the time. A recipient of numerous awards through his lifetime, sadly enough, because of his ill health, Pran was unable to travel to New Delhi to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in May this year.
Said late Manmohan Desai's son Ketan Desai: "I am devastated, I am rushing to the hospital. He was a very close friend of my father. My dad was extremely fond of him. Since he started his directorial career with him in Chhalia and then repeated him in Bluff Master soon after. Both films did well. We enjoyed working with him in Amar Akbar Anthony and Dharam Veer. After a few years I directed him in Allah Rakha. It was just a cameo but he was gracious to do the role. The world has lost a great human being."
Said late Prakash Mehra's son, Puneet Mehra: "He is famous for his whip, but he was exactly the opposite of the negative characters he portrayed on screen. I knew him personally. His daughter Pinky and I are friends.The film industry has lost a substantial part of its wealth."
The funeral is at Shivaji Park today at 12 noon. The legendary actor died of cardiac arrest at Lilavati hospital last night.
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