Pran

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Pran lived an aristocrat lifestyle Pran was born in a rich family. His father was a celebrated government civil contractor, the famous Kalsi bridge in Dehra Dun is one of his projects. Hence as a child Pran lived a life of aristocrat. He would move in ultra modern cars with his pet dogs in tow. Hence after partition when he moved from Lahore to Mumbai he lamented the loss of his dogs. But when he made it big in Bollywood he again acquired his pet dogs. His famous dogs were named Bullet, Whisky and Soda.

He married Shukla Ahluwalia in 1945 and had two sons and one daughter. He died on 12 July 2013 at ripe age of 93.

Wanted to be a photographer but became an actor Pran was a creative person since childhood and had a passion for photography. His father had even admitted him for professional photographer course at A. Das & Co. for which he even left his home and came to Simla to do an apprentice job. It was here he got interested in acting and got his first break to play the role of Sita at a local Ramlila. The Public adoration and their praise gave him an intoxication of dramatics and his passion towards acting took wings. Once while sitting at a shop in Hira Mandi, Lahore; he accidently happened to meet writer Wali Mohammad Wali, who was looking for new actor. Pran was overwhelmed by his offer and got his first break in the Dalsukh Pancholi's Punjabi film Yamla Jat. Pran played a villain in the film. The movie was a hit and an interview of Pran was published in a local newspaper. When Pran saw the interview he was in a fix because he had not taken permission from his father to join films. He was worried that if his father read the interview he will be in trouble. Hence he asked his sister to hide the newspaper. But his father saw the newspaper. However instead of getting angry on him, he applauded him for bringing glory to the family. Pran becomes a star in Lahore After the success of Yamla Jat the filmmaker Dalsukh Pancholi's promoted Pran from villain to hero in his next film Khandan (1942) which was made in Hindi on a big scale. The film started upcoming sensation Noor Jehan. The movie was yet again a box office bonanza. Pran was thus flooded with films like Kaise Kahoon (1945) Khamosh Nigahen (1946) and did over 22 films. He was doing fine then partition happened. Indo Pak partition cuts down Pran’s aristocrat lifestyle The Indo –Pak partition brought havoc in Pran’s life. He was married and had a small one year old son. When Hindu Muslim riots broke out in Lahore, Pran migrated to Mumbai while all his wealth in Lahore was reduced to ashes. Nevertheless he had brought much cash and jewelry along. When he landed in Mumbai he stayed at Mumbai’s Premium Taj Mahal hotel. He was sure that having done 22 films in Lahore he would easily get work in Bollywood but that did not happen. Recalling his ugly days in Mumbai Pran in an interview lamented, “Finding job in Bollywood was a hard nut to crack. During the struggle period I had to quit my luxurious lifestyle and from Taj Mahal hotel we had to slowly shift to smaller hotels and gradually to ordinary lodges. My condition was pathetic and I had no work for over six months. During this phase I had to sell my wife's jewellery to make both ends meet!” Pran receives Rs 500 as his first remuneration In his struggling days Pran recalls that we would travel ticketless in train and walk long distance hunting from one studio to another in search of role. One day filmmaker Shaheed Latif noticed the dashing Pran outside Bombay Talkies. Shaheed Latif was in fact hunting for a villain with elegant personality. Watching Pran, he was overwhelmed by his regal personality and when Pran informed that he has acted in many films in Lahore, Shaheed Latif immediately signed him. But Pran had a condition. He asked Shaheed Latif to pay his remuneration in advance so that he could come out from financial crises. Latif agreed and gave him Rs 500, the first remuneration of Pran in Bollywood. Shaheed Latif was directing Ziddi (1948) for Bombay Talkies opposite top stars Dev Anand and Kamini Kaushal. The movie was an instant hit. In an interview Pran said, “The success of Ziddi brought a windfall of luck to me. Within a single week I signed 3 films Grahasthi , Aparadhi and Putli. All were hits specially Grahasthi was huge it. It ran for 60 weeks nonstop. Pran becomes ‘Star Villain’ of Indian cinema After South Film Production’s biggest film company AVM signed Pran to play lead villain in Bahar (1961) Pran became a Star Villain. Further with big banners like Bimal Roy signing him in Madhumati opposite Dilip Kumar, S. Mukherjee in Munimji opposite Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor in his home production Jis Desh Mein Ganga Rehta Hain, Pran became the number one villain of Indian film industry. His aura and his persona was such menacing that his entry on screen created flutter in cinema halls particularly among women folks. The land mark movies of 50’s include Halaku (1956),Chori Chori (1956)... Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957), Adalat (1958). Parents resisted keeping their children name Pran The euphoria created by Pran with his menacing villainy in the 60’s reached its peak. His portrayals were so fearsome that parents resisted keeping their children name Pran. Even young woman was afraid just by his mere name. In the 60’s Pran’s popularity as a villain can be gauged from the fact no big banner film was made without Pran. Among his hit films include Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960), Jab Pyar Kisise Hota Hai (1961), Dil Tera Diwana (1962), Mere Mehboob (1963), Kashmir Ki Kali (1964), Gumnaam (1965), Khandaan (1965), Love In Tokyo (1966), Dus Lakh (1966), Do Badan (1966), Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966), Ram Aur Shyam (1967), Brahmachari (1968) etc. Pran and his irresistible Jodi with Amitabh Bachchan In the 70’s Pran continued to rule the roost as the most sought after character actor. In fact his demand was such many filmmakers minted money only on his name and casted lesser known co-stars. Movies like Adhikar (1971), Jangal Mein Mangal (1972), Dharma (1973),Victoria No. 203 (1972) are few examples. In fact in Jangal Mein Mangal Pran played triple role including one role of a woman! The movie was big hit. However Pran’s Jodi with Amitabh Bachchan became the most talked about pair of the 70’s. The duo came in many films like Zanjeer (1973), Kasauti (1974), Majboor (1974), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Don (1978) etc.