Biography of Pran

(June 6, 1920 -  July 12, 2013)

Pran was born in 1920. He began his career as an assistant photographer. When a well-known scriptwriter, Walli Saab, met him at a betel shop, he offered him the villain's role in the Punjabi film – ‘Yamla Jat'. Pran accepted the film for a mere sum of Rs. 50. The film turned out to be a success at the box office. This success brought him as a hero in the film Khandaan', opposite the famous star Noorjehan.

After the partition of India, Pran came to Bombay. His film ‘Grihasti', released in 1948, was successful. After this film, he acted in various films in stereotyped villainous roles. He played the title role in the 1956 film 'Halaaku', which also starred Meena Kumari.

His memorable villainous roles can be seen in 'Madhumati, Adalat', ‘Tumsa Nahin Dekha', and Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai'. Manoj Kumar's 1967 film 'Upkaar' transformed him from a famous villain to a mature actor. He played character roles in a number of films like Zanjeer', ‘Amar Akbar Anthony', 'Kasauti', etc.