Pran Sikand’s name evokes instant respect in Indian cinema circles. Celebrating his birth anniversary on February 12, let’s trace the extraordinary path of this versatile genius, born in 1920 to a civil engineer father and devoted mother in old Delhi. Academically brilliant, particularly in math, Pran’s education spanned multiple cities before he stepped into photography as an apprentice.
A chance encounter in Lahore changed everything. Meeting Mohammad Wali led to his breakout as the hero in 1940’s hit Punjabi film ‘Yamla Jatt.’ Stardom beckoned with subsequent roles in ‘Chaudhri,’ ‘Khazanchi,’ and the pivotal Hindi entry ‘Khandaan.’ By 1947, Pran had starred in 22 Lahore films, ruling Punjabi screens.
Tragedy struck with partition. Uprooted from Lahore’s glamour, Pran arrived in Mumbai penniless. Eight grueling months of rejection followed—no roles for the established hero. He toiled at a hotel on Marine Drive amid dire straits. Breakthrough arrived in 1948 via ‘Ziddi,’ where his menacing antagonist overshadowed Dev Anand.
From there, Pran mastered the art of unforgettable villains, dominating 360+ films till 1990. Icons like Raj Kapoor and Amitabh bowed to his screen presence in masterpieces including ‘Madhumati’ and ‘Don.’ Comedy came naturally too, shining in ‘Half Ticket’ and ‘Kashmir Ki Kali.’ Beyond Hindi, he enriched regional cinemas.
Government accolades—Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke—crowned his career. Pran’s death in 2013 at 93 closed a chapter, but his transformative performances continue to inspire, symbolizing triumph over adversity in Bollywood’s turbulent history.