Pran Krishan Sikand Biography: Pran Krishan Sikand Ahluwalia (12 February 1920 – 12 July 2013) was an Indian actor known as the greatest villain in the annals of Indian cinema and a character actor in Hindi films from the 1940s to the 1990s. He has been one of the most accomplished and respected veteran actors in Indian cinematic history. In addition, he was one of the highest-paid actors of his era.
Pran Krishan Sikand Biography
Early years and instruction
Pran was born in Ballimaran, Old Delhi, on February 12, 1920, to a Punjabi Hindu family from Hoshiarpur. His mother was Rameshwari Ahluwalia, and his father was a civil engineer and government civil contractor named Kewal Krishan Sikand Ahluwalia. Pran was one of seven children; he had four brothers and three sisters.
Academically gifted, particularly in mathematics, was Pran. As a result of his father’s transferable employment, Pran studied in numerous locations, including Dehradun, Lahore, Kapurthala, Meerut, and Unnao (Uttar Pradesh), before graduating from Hamid School in Rampur (U.P.). After that, he became an apprentice at A. Das & Co., Delhi in order to become a professional photographer. He travelled to Shimla and performed the role of Sita in a local production of “Ramlila.” Madan Puri portrayed Rama in this production.
Pran Krishan Sikand Career
Pran’s early career commenced in 1940 with Dalsukh M. Pancholi’s Punjabi film Yamla Jat. Later, he appeared in films such as Chaudhary, Khajanchi, and his first Hindi-language film, Khandaan (1942). Between 1942 and 1946, he acted in 22 films in Lahore, 18 of which were released by 1947. Pran’s career took a temporary hiatus following the partition of India in 1947, but he returned to Bombay in 1948. Before landing a role in the Bombay Talkies film Ziddi, starring Dev Anand and Kamini Kaushal, he held a variety of positions, including at the Delmar Hotel and Marine Drive.
In the 1940s, romantic duets sung by Pran, such as “Tere Naaz Uthane Ko Jee Chahta Hai” and “Kandaan,” gained popularity. In the 1950s, his versatility was displayed in films such as Sheesh Mahal, Adalat, and Jashan. Pran’s first successful films as a villain were Ziddi and Bari Behan, with his signature smoke ring puffing debuting in the latter.
In the 1950s and 1960s, Pran was frequently offered the role of the primary antagonist or antagonistic character in films starring Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, and Raj Kapoor. A. Bhim Singh, Shakti Samanta, Bhappi Sonie, K. Amarnath, Nasir Hussain, and others frequently employ him in their films. In the 1970s, he was cast in films by newer, fresher directors and producers, despite the fact that he demanded the highest fee among supporting actors from 1968 to 1982.
Pran’s portrayal as the antagonist in films starring Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, and Raj Kapoor was praised. In addition, he appeared in comedic films starring Kishore Kumar and Mehmood Ali.
Even during the 1970s and 1980s, Pran’s collaboration with Dev Anand persisted with Johny Mera Naam, Yeh Gulistan Hamara, Joshila, Warrant, and Des Pardes. He also acted in Bengali films, commencing with Sonai Dighe by Ashim Banerjee. He was offered main roles in films such as Nanha Farishta, Jangal Mein Mangal, Dharma, Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwari, and Rahu Ketu after 1969.
In the 1990s, however, Amitabh Bachchan requested that Pran perform in his home productions Tere Mere Sapne (1996) and Mrityudata (1997). His character in Mrityudaata was modified in 1997 to account for his trembling legs. He made a few guest appearances after the year 2000.
Personal Life
Pran wed Shukla Ahluwalia in 1945, and they have three children: Arvind Ahluwalia, Sunil Sikand Ahluwalia, and Pinky Ahluwalia.
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Pran Krishan Sikand Awards and recognition
Pran has received awards for his portrayal of unfavourable characters. In the category of Best Supporting Actor, he has won three Filmfare Awards for Upkar, Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool, and Be-Imaan. In 1973, however, he refused to accept the award for his portrayal as constable Ram Singh in Be-Imaan, arguing that the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director should have gone to Ghulam Mohammed for Pakeezah and not to the musical duo Shankar Jaikishan for Be-imaan. For his supporting roles, he received three Bengal Film Journalists’ Association Awards.
Pran has been honoured with Lifetime Achievement accolades, including those from Filmfare, Star Screen accolades, and Zed Cine Awards, for his extensive contributions to Indian cinema. In 2001, the Indian government awarded him the Padma Bhushan. The Government of India presented him with the Dadasaheb Phalke distinction, the most prestigious distinction in Indian cinema, in April 2013. At the 60th National Film Awards, he was honoured for his lifetime of contributions to the film industry. In May 2013, he was unable to attend the 60th National Film Awards, where he was to receive the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Instead, the award was presented at Pran’s residence in Mumbai by Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari. On Twitter, Amitabh Bachchan called him “a large pillar of the Indian Film Industry” to congratulate him on this occasion. He competed with Manoj Kumar and Vyjayanthimala for the award the previous year, but Soumitra Chatterjee was selected as the winner.
Pran Krishan Sikand Death
He received care at the Lilavati Hospital and passed away on July 12, 2013. In the past few months, he had been hospitalised multiple times due to his deteriorating health; at one point, he was battling pneumonia. The passing of Pran was extensively noted by politicians and his fellow entertainers. Prime Minister Manmohan Singh expressed his condolences for his passing and referred to him as “an icon.”Amitabh Bachchan, a veteran actor, tweeted about his death, labelling him a “magnificent pillar” of the film industry.
Legacy
Pran had a six-decade career in Hindi cinema and is one of the industry’s most renowned actors. People reportedly stopped naming their offspring “Pran” because of his negative roles, and the industry began referring to him as “Pran Sahab” as a result.His fave line “Barkhurdaar” became wildly popular.
In 2000, film journalist Bunny Reuben authored a biography on Pran titled “…and Pran” This book’s title is derived from the fact that in the majority of Pran’s films, he was credited as “….and Pran” after all other actors. His biography, “…and Pran,” was a tribute to approximately 250 of his 350 films that credited him with “…and Pran” or “…above all, Pran” at the conclusion of the credits.
In 2012, he donated his handprint to Bandra’s “Legend’s Walk” waterfront promenade.
