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28 March 2024

Veteran Bollywood actor Pran dead after prolonged illness

(FILES) In this handout photograph released by The Indian Press Information Bureau (PIB) on May 10, 2013, veteran Indian Bollywood actor Pran is seen after he was honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award by Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari at his residence in Mumbai. Bollywood actor Pran died on June 12, 2013, at Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital at 93. (AFP)

Published
By Reuters/Staff

Veteran Bollywood actor Pran died in a Mumbai hospital on Friday after prolonged illness. He was 93.

A family source confirmed over phone to Reuters that the actor died in Lilavati hospital.

Pran, whose career spanned over 300 films in the second half of the 20th century, was awarded the 2012 Dadasaheb Phalke award, the highest award in Indian cinema.

He was unable to travel to New Delhi to receive the award at the presentation ceremony because of ill health. He was given the award at his home in Mumbai.

Pran, star of films such as 'Zanjeer' and 'Amar Akbar Anthony', began his career as a hero in Punjabi films, made a tremendous impact on Bollywood as the

villain in Dilip Kumar's 'Ram Aur Shyam' and was the first actor to break stereotype by playing character roles as well.

In the '70s, there was almost no major film that did not feature Pran and he was often higher paid than the hero.

Pran was credited with making the role of the villain as important as the hero's, and was known for his sophistication and style on screen.

Pran was also credited with helping actor Amitabh Bachchan get his biggest break - 'Zanjeer', which marked the rise of the Angry Young Man and made Amitabh Bachchan famous.

Pran played one of his best known roles - the Pathan Sher Khan - in 'Zanjeer'. He and Amitabh Bachchan formed a long and successful screen partnership after 'Zanjeer' and struck up a lifelong friendship.

Pran made one of his last public appearances at Amitabh Bachchan's 70th birthday party in October last year.

Pran's other famous films include 'Madhumati', 'Half Ticket', 'Upkar', 'Kashmir Ki Kali', 'Don', 'Karz', 'Naseeb' and 'Shahenshah'.

He last appeared on-screen in 1997's 'Mrityudaata'.

He is survived by his wife Shukla, daughter Pinky, and sons Arvind and Sunil.