Pran passes away at 93

Mumbai (Agencies): Legendary actor and Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Pran died at Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital on Friday evening. He had been 93. He was unwell for the last few months and could not even receive his award in person on May 3. Pran was famous for his style and sophistication on-screen, and was credited with making the role of the villain as important as that of the hero. He also played many supporting characters, apart from villains, most notable the red-haired Pathan Sher Khan in Zanjeer, the film that made Amitabh Bachchan a star. From the '60s to the early '80s, Pran appeared in almost every big film made in Bollywood and made a mark for strong negative and supporting roles. He was known for remarkable roles in Bollywood hits like Zanjeer, Don, Amar Akbar Anthony, among hundreds of others. According to reports, the last rites of the actor will be conducted at 12 noon at the Shivaji Park crematorium in Mumbai on Saturday.

Photographer who redefined villain role Veteran Bollywood actor Pran who passed away on Friday due to prolonged illness in Mumbai's Lilavati hospital was a legendary actor. The funeral ceremony would take place in Mumbai's Shivaji Park on Saturday. Protagonist, side-hero, villain and professional photographer Pran, 93, in April this year was chosen for the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award, the highest official recognition for film personalities in India. The award, named after the father of Indian cinema Dadasaheb Phalke, was conferred on Pran on May 3, which also marked the 100 years of cinema this year. Originally name Pran Krishan Sikand, actor Pran was born on February 12, 1920 in Delhi. Pran started his career as a professional photographer in Delhi then moved to Mumbai for a new innings. Pran, who has acted in over 400 films in his six-decade-long career, retired from acting in 1998. Beginning his career as a hero in 1940 with 'Yamala Jat', Pran went on to achieve fame as a villain in numerous film including classics like 'Milan', 'Madhumati' and 'Kashmir Ki Kali'. The actor married Shukla Ahluwalia in 1945. Such was the magic of his unique on-screen villainy, that people stopped naming their children 'Pran' at the height of his fame as an actor. He later favoured character roles, playing the friend, beloved father and grandfather in movies like Amitabh Bachchan starrer 'Zanjeer', 'Upkaar' and 'Parichay'. Pran's iconic performance in 'Zanjeer' (1973) with Amitabh Bachchan is known as landmark in Bollywood. Pran has been honoured with numerous awards for his portrayal of both negative and character roles. He has received three Filmfare Awards in the Best Supporting Actor category for 'Upkar', 'Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool' and 'Be-Imaan'. However, in 1972 when he was awarded for his role of constable Ram Singh in 'Be-Imaan', he refused to accept the award stating that the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director should have gone to Ghulam Mohammed for 'Pakeezah' and not to the musical duo Shankar Jaikishan for 'Be-imaan'. He also has been awarded with three Bengal Film Journalists Association Awards for his supporting roles.For his vast contributions to the films, he has been honoured by various awards with their Lifetime Achievement awards; including those of Filmfare, Star Screen Awards and Zee Cine Awards. In 2001, the Government of India conferred the Padma Bhushan on him. Recently in April 2013, he is announced to be the winner of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the most prestigious award of the Indian cinema, presented by the Government of India. The award will be presented to him at the 60th National Film Awards ceremony on 3 May 2013 for his lifetime of work in the film industry. Various celebrities have congratulated him on this occasion with Amitabh Bachchan calling him "a large pillar of the Indian Film Industry" on his Twitter feed. He was also the contender of the award for the previous year along with Manoj Kumar and Vyjayanthimala, but Soumitra Chatterjee had been chosen as the awardee.