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28 March 2024

Bollywood pays final tribute to Pran

(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 Sanskriti Media and Entertainment

Pran Kishan Sikand died in Mumbai on July 12 after a long illness. He was 93. This year's Dadasaheb Phalke award, the highest award in Indian cinema.

Bollywood celebrities recall legendary actor Pran's contribution to Indian cinema, as they pay their last respects to the iconic actor at the Shivaji Park Crematorium in Mumbai.

Actor Amitabh Bachchan (L) and Anupam Kher (R) arrive for the cremation. (Sanskriti Media and Entertainment) 

Pran dominated Hindi films from the '40s to the late '80s. His career spanned 350 films and he was credited with making the role of the villain as important as that of the hero.

Poet, lyricist and director Gulzar arrives for the cremation of late actor Pran in Mumbai on July 13, 2013. (AFP)

Screenwriter Salim Khan (L) and actor Danny Denzongpa (R) arrive for the cremation. (Sanskriti Media and Entertainment)

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.

Filmmaker Karan Johar arrives for the cremation. (Sanskriti Media and Entertainment)

Pran was often the highest paid actor in the films he starred in. During the '60s and '70s, the only actor to command a higher salary than Pran was Rajesh Khanna. Producers never wanted to cast them in movies together because their combined salaries sent expenses rocketing up. 

Actor Amitabh Bachchan arrives for the cremation. (Sanskriti Media and Entertainment)

Pran was better paid than Amitabh Bachchan in the first six of the 14 films they co-starred in - Zanjeer, Majboor, Kasauti, Don, Ganga Ki Saugandh, Amar Akbar Anthony and Nastik.

Actor Shatrughan Sinha (L) and Raj Babbar (R) arrive for the cremation. (Sanskriti Media and Entertainment)

Pran and actor Ashok Kumar were best friends and co-starred in 27 films of which 20 were hits. Pran was also great friends with Shammi and Shashi Kapoor, Manoj Kumar, Dilip Kumar and Kishore Kumar, all of who he co-starred with.

Actor Tinu Anand (L) and Sakti Kapoor (R) arrive for the cremation. (Sanskriti Media and Entertainment)

When Pran got his first film break in 1940 Punjabi film Yamla Jat, he didn't dare tell his father. He asked his sister to hide the newspaper which carried the first ever interview with him. However, when Pran's father eventually found out, he was far less upset that his son had chosen an acting career than Pran had imagined.

Actor Sakti Kapoor (L) and Pankaj Dhir (R) arrive for the cremation. (Sanskriti Media and Entertainment)  

Actor Amitabh Bachchan arrives for the cremation. (Sanskriti Media and Entertainment)

Pran was one of four actors with most number of Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Awards - three - and one of two actors with most number of Filmfare Best Supporting Actor nominations - nine.

Filmmaker Karan Johar arrives for the cremation. (Sanskriti Media and Entertainment)

Pran left Lahore during the Partition and moved to Mumbai hoping to continue his acting career. He always said his biggest loss during Partition was his dog.