Pran no more

Legendary actor passed away on July 12th leaving behind a legacy in Indian film industry and a history of films  and roles he played, he will be always remembered for. A gentleman, family person , perfectionist, very few can achieve what Pran accomplished over six decades of his career.

Before tributes began pouring in and world wakes up to learn about his demise, this piece is just a reverent homage to man most respected, admired and loved by every one in the industry and by his fans across the world. Once I wished him on his birthday through an email and quickly came the reply with his autograph and few pictures .

Every year thereafter, I made a point to send him wishes and always there was a response.

Once a woman mentioned that only actor she would always hate was Pran shows the impact he had with characters he played. Same Actor who always excelled in negative roles changed his image with film Upkar and left an I indelible print on the minds of filmgoers. That role till today, stands out and "Upkar"is one of his signature films.

His cremation was done on July13th Surprisingly, very few film personalities turned up to pay homage.Amitabh, Shatrughan Sinha, Danny, Gulzar, Karan Johar, Raza Muraad, Pankaj Dheer, Shakti Kapoor were the only present.
If Twitter is platform to say everything, many of course posted their message on social media platforms.
Somewhere, personal values and respect for relations are on low ebb. Many were reacting for not having most of film artistes showing up to pay respect for a senior artiste like Pran.

Was it  a rainy day or other engagements or total disregard for one who gave so much to industry, will be known soon but this is not becoming unusual now a days. Only when publicity and need are sought, most film fraternity gather whatever be the occasion. Be a party thrown or an award function, people travel thousands of miles to attend but on a sombre and sad day, when some one is no more, few think it proper to attend the last journey and bid adieu to  a colleague.

All said, Pran will be remembered for years to come and will be part of glorious history of Indian Cinema. He needed no recognition, love, respect as he always had abundance of everything.
Some one pays respect or not doesn't matter to  one who is gone but it pains every one who was close to Pran sahib.

A tweet from Dilip kumar mentioned how he and Pran enjoyed lighter moments and Punjabi jokes  together
Other tweeted:
Amitabh Bachchan:

Pran Saheb passes away ! A gentleman, most collaborative colleague, a senior of immense distinction, a true disciplined professional.

"Another magnificent pillar of the Film Industry, falls. Our illustrious edifice in ruins, as stalwart after stalwart leaves !"

Shah Rukh Khan:

"Why do icons who shaped our lives and emotions have to go away? U will sir, remain etched in our hearts. Allah bless ur soul Pran Sahib"

Riteish Deshmukh: SHER KHAN u will live for ever- RIP Pran Saab
Preity Zinta: R.I.P Pran Saheb ! Did not know him personally but heard he was a perfect gentleman with a heart of gold ! May your soul rest in Peace...
Madhur Bhandarkar: Extremely saddened by the demise of the LEGENDARY PRANSAAB, who revolutionised Villainy on Indian Celluloid !!!
Abhishek Kapoor: oh dear.. RIP Pran saab.. thank you for all those wonderful movies
Manoj Bajpayee: May pran saab's soul rest in peace!in an industry of hero an villain he ruled the space he was given.thank you praan saab!
Sophie Choudry: Just heard the news. End of an era. RIP #Pran Saab. U will always be our Sher Khan. #Legend

Kabir Bedi: Farewell Pran sahib, Godfather of Indian villains, your legendary characters illuminated the annals of Indian cinema. Deepest respects. RIP

Smriti Z Irani: Its your talent that will define your career as an actor not the tag of 'hero' or 'villain'-- that's the example set by Pran Sahab. RIP.
Anupam Kher: Final Curtain Call for one of the Most Loved Actors of Indian Cinema. An Actor & A Gentleman. Pran Saab- We will miss you & your Warmth.RIP

On February 12th 2011, Pran, one of the all time great actors of Hindi Cinema celebrated his 91st Birthday.Like every year, I sent him my best wishes this year too. His reply came quick with some pictures he sent me. I really appreciate his zeal for life and being so popular within Industry speaks a lot about his personality.His family support and happiness, love of millions of his arden fans will make him always one of the most shining stars of Indian Cinema.
Once again,Pran ji , Wishing you all the happiness, good health and many years to live. Your films will continue to entertain every one .

I recall one incident when my aunty came home after watching a very famous hindi film and instead of praising the movie, she kept sayingthat she hated Pran. This man shouldn't be in films. I can imagine how natural this person would have looked on screen to evoke such strong emoions. How many of today's actors in negative roles can live up to this actor's versatility?Not even one worth mentioning. But on flip side, in his personal life he is known a gentleman , most adorable and loved artistes in Indian Film Industry.

Once googling I found his webbsite (find it in Link section) and sent him a personal message greeting him on his birthday. I am sure a family member would ave launched this site but came a reply soon thanking me for witing to him. Every year comes February and I remember his birthday and send him wishes. He still watches Cricket matches and television and spends his quality time with his fanily.Below is reply I received from him:

fromPran Sikand <pransikand@gmail.com>toPran Sikand <pransikand@gmail.com>
dateWed, Sep 9, 2009 at 8:09 AM subjectThank youmailed-bygmail.comsigned-bygmail.com
hide details 8:09 AM (15 hours ago)
Thank you for your good wishes. I thank you for your love and support over the years. I recently celebrated my birthday with friends and family. It is my family and well wishers like you, who keep my spirits high

My autobiography, titled ‘…and PRAN ’ by the late Bunny Reuben, published by Harper Collins was released by Amitabh Bachchan . The book is now available in Hindi and Marathi as well,at all leading book stores. I now spend my time watching sports and current affairs on the television. With warm regards to you and your family.

Here is piece of news clip from The Statesman

Pran Colourful villain The Statesman 28 March 2005 (on line)
... And Pran: A Biography By Bunny Reuben HarperCollins India 446pp, Rs 500
'Some actors aren't artistes we admire, or chessmen in a strange game.They are us, expressing our brightest and darkest thoughts, enacting agamut of roles ranging from the psychologically complicated to theabsolutely simple," writes Amitabh Bachchan in the foreword to thisbiography of the arch villain of the Indian screen. It is indeed aneye opener to many actors who look up to Pran as an idol.
The book stretches across Pran Sikand's career spanning a period ofalmost six decades. It vividly captures his early days at Lahore, andgoes on to discuss his marriage. As Reuben rightly says, ''Marriagewas a new chapter in Pran's life.'' His destination was Mumbai and histryst with destiny as interesting as that of any leading actor of histimes.
Though Pran acted in a number of films like Yamla Jat, Choudhury andKhandaan in the early forties, he was noticed as an actor in BombayTalkies' Ziddi in 1948. His co-stars were Dev Anand and KaminiKaushal. Reuben aptly traces Pran's career and specially mentionsPran's association with the trio of Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and DevAnand. Pran shared excellent working as well as personal rapport withall the three stalwarts.
A biography of Pran is incomplete without his association with ShammiKapoor. Reuben does mention at length the screen encounters of ShammiKapoor and Pran. An interesting anecdote in this context is the momentwhen Shammi really punched Pran hard during a fight sequence in TumsaNahin Dekha in 1958. Shammi was very repentant about his action butPran took it very sportingly, stating it was an accident.
In the sixties Pran still ruled the roost and acted in the maximumnumber of films. Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Jis Desh Mein Ganga BehtiHai, Brahmachari etc were some of his major releases. Reuben superblyrecounts icon Pahari Sanyal's compliments to Pran after seeing JisDesh Mein Ganga Behti Hai in Kolkata in the early 60s.Pran is a versatile actor who never shied away from accepting offbeatroles. So he experimented with the maximum make-ups and mannerisms.Reuben makes due mention of this aspect of the actor.
Upkar in 1967 totally transformed Pran's image. So did Nanha Farishta.Reuben mentions at length these aspects of Pran's career with rareinterviews of Manoj Kumar and Vijay Anand, who directed Pran in thesuper hit Johny Mera Naam in 1970. Pran himself rates Gulzar'sParichay as one of his best performances.
How Pran along with Amitabh Bachchan made a superhit duo in Zanjeerforms an integral part of the book. Reuben mentions the superbrelations Pran shared with juniors like Amitabh Bachchan and RandhirKapoor.
Though he is terrifying on screen, Pran is a thorough gentleman. He iswarm, generous and very down to earth. Reuben sketches these personalaspects of Pran in detail, providing a rare picture of one of thegenuine immortals of the Hindi film industry.A must read for all serious film buffs. – Ranjan Das Gupta .