By
Rajeev K Khattar
A gentleman of the finest order...an admirable colleague....a thorough professional .. a master of disguise in the characters he played .. a delightful companion after 'office hours' .. and a considerate human," Bachchan wrote on his blog in his tribute to Pran.
Bollywood's famous villain was instrumental in getting Bachchan his career's first hit 'Zanjeer', which also saw him giving one of the finest performances of his career as Sher Khan.
Pran Krishan Sikand or simply Pran , as he was popularly known , was born on 12th Feb 1920 at Delhi . He had taken bollowood villainy to a different plane . He was the only villain who had the ability to shock the audience with his iconic style of delivering the dialogues in his typical crispy voice.
Not many people know that prior to his film career, the actor wanted to become a professional photographer and worked as an apprentice with a company. In the year 1938,this job took him to Shimla, where he played the role of Sita in a local staging of 'Ramlila' at the age of 18 years.
It was Wali Mohammad Wali, who worked for producer Dalsukh M. Pancholi in Lahore , had spotted Pran at a local Pan shop and offered him a role in the film.
Pran will be forever remembered for bringing villains on par with the heroes. He commanded equal money and respect for his negative characters in 'Madhumati', 'Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai', 'Ram Aur Shyam' and 'Devdas'.
The actor's baritone and good looks helped him bring charm to his villainy which was very unique to Pran. Such was the magic of his onscreen roles that parents stopped naming their children 'Pran' at the height of his fame.
His chameleon-like ability helped Pran transform himself from one of the most hated onscreen villains to one of the most beloved character actors -- be it the 'Mangal chacha' in 'Upkar', Sher Khan of opposite Amitabh Bachchan in 'Zanjeer' or the discipline-loving but soft-hearted grandfather in Gulzar's 'Parichay'.
Let us analyse what numerology has to say about him.
As he was born on 12th Feb 1920 , his birth number is 3 and destiny number is 8 . His popular name Pran , numerologicaly adds to 7 . These three numbers had played very important role in his life.
His name number 7
He achieved success as the leading man in Hindi film from Khandaan in 1942 ( 1+9+4+2 = 7 ).
After eight months of arriving in Mumbai, Pran -- with the help of writer Saadat Hasan Manto and actor Shyam -- got a role in Shaheed Latif's Ziddi ( Numerologically ZIDDI totals to 7 )
In the year 1960 ( 1+9+6 + 0 = 7 )He was acclaimed for his role in Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai
1969 ( totals to 7 ) – Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award for Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool
Who can forget his role in Don , which was released in 1978 ( 1+9+7+8 = 7 ).
Pran was an avid collector of smoke pipes. Smoke is connected with the planet Ketu , associated with number 7.
Numbers 3 and 8
He first acted in 1938 ( 1+9+3+8 = 21 = 1+2 = 3 ) at the age of 18 ( 1+8 = 9 , a multiple of 3 ) .
1992 ( totals to 3 ) – Outstanding contribution to Indian Film Industry, Indian Motion Pictures Producers'
Association
2001 ( totals to 3 ) – Padma Bhushan, India's third highest civilian award.
He got 44th ( 4+4 = 8 ) Dada Saheb Dadasaheb Phalke Award for Lifetime Achievement on 3rd ( 3 ) May 2013 at the age of 93 ( 9+3 = 3 ).
He took his last breath on 12th ( 3 ) July 2013 ( 12-7-2013 totals to 7 ) at the age of 93 93 ( 9+3 = 3 )
"What shall remain thankfully, shall be the immense volume of documented work that they leave behind, a work that has been laboured sweated and bloodied over years and years of harsh and severe commitment! We don't make the likes of them anymore...," Bachchan wrote.
May this gentleman villain’s noble soul rest in peace.