Pran—the name synonymous with cinematic intensity—began life on February 12, 1920, in Delhi’s historic lanes. Son of engineer Krishan Sikand and Rameshvari, his scholarly bent shone in math during stints in Dehradun and beyond. A photography apprenticeship preceded his film odyssey.
Lahore’s Heera Mandi proved fateful, linking him to Dalsukh Pancholi via Mohammad Wali. Heroic debut in ‘Yamla Jatt’ (1940) exploded, followed by leads in ‘Chaudhri,’ ‘Khazanchi,’ and Hindi ‘Khandaan.’ Pre-partition, 22 films crowned him Punjabi cinema king.
1947’s divide upended it all. In Mumbai, stardom’s ghost haunted an eight-month jobless limbo, punctuated by hotel drudgery. Manto and Shyam’s intervention birthed his villain era in ‘Ziddi’ (1948), mesmerizing opposite Dev Anand and Kamini Kaushal.
Pran dominated with 360+ adversarial masterpieces till 1990, eclipsing legends in ‘Johnny Mera Naam,’ ‘Janjeer,’ and ‘Don.’ Comedy gems like ‘Kashmir Ki Kali’ showcased range. Regional forays in Telugu, Bengali amplified impact.
Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke saluted his genius. At 93, Mumbai bid adieu in 2013, yet Pran’s portrayal of complex characters endures, a beacon of perseverance in entertainment’s unforgiving arena.