Dada saheb Phalke award for Pran Sikand

Veteran Bollywood actor Pran Sikand, a Hindi cinema villain loved and feared in equalA measure by moviegoers, was today chosen for the prestigiousA Dada Saheb Phalke award, the highest official recognition forA film personalities in India.

The announcement about honouring the 93-year-old actorA was welcomed by his son Sunil Sikand. A The award, named after the father of Indian cinema DadaA Saheb Phalke, will be conferred on Pran on May 3, which willA also mark the 100 years of cinema this year.

Pran, who has acted in over 400 films in hisA six-decade-long career, retired from acting in 1998. A Beginning his career as a hero in 1940 with 'Yamala Jat',A Pran went on to achieve fame as a villain in numerous filmA including classics like 'Milan', 'Madhumati' and 'Kashmir KiA Kali'.

Such was the magic of his unique on-screen villainy, thatA people stopped naming their children 'Pran' at the height ofA his fame as an actor.A He later favoured character roles, playing the friend,A beloved father and grandfather in movies like Amitabh BachchanA starrer 'Zanjeer', 'Upkaar' and 'Parichay'.

Welcoming the honour, Pran's son Sunil told PTI: "It isA an amazing thing. We are happy and honoured."A When asked whether the honour came too late for theA veteran actor, Sunil said, "I don't want to get into all theseA details. We are happy with the award. My father is watchingA the news on TV right now.