Pran, a veteran actor in Bollywood, may not resonate as strongly with today’s generation. However, during an era when audiences were often more drawn to villains than heroes, he held a prominent place. Notably, Pran distinguished himself by never repeating his roles. His ability to portray diverse characters with unique styles in each film consistently enthralled audiences. Consequently, he earned a reputation as one of the most menacing villains in Hindi cinema.
Pran transitioned from working at a paan shop to becoming a prominent villain who commanded a higher fee than many heroes. During that era, Pran stood out as the only star who commanded a fee equal to or even greater than that of the hero for his roles. Pran commanded attention whenever he graced the screen, captivating audiences with his menacing presence. His villainous portrayal on the silver screen instilled fear in viewers. Within a short span, Pran ascended to stardom, becoming so sought-after that producers vied for the opportunity to cast him.
Pran initially had no intention of pursuing a career in acting, but as he often remarked, destiny has its plans. He had a passion for still photography and worked as an assistant to a photographer in Lahore before Partition. However, fate took an unexpected turn one night in 1939. While enjoying a paan in Lahore’s Anarkali market, Pran struck up a casual conversation with the paan seller. Little did he know that Wali Mohammad Wali, a renowned writer and director of Punjabi films, was also present. Impressed by Pran’s demeanour and eloquence, Wali immediately offered him a role in one of his films.
Pran embarked on his acting journey with the Punjabi film Yamla Jat, marking the beginning of a successful career. His transition to Hindi cinema commenced with the film Khandan, where he collaborated with Noor Jahan. However, despite his early success, Pran encountered many flops. His father compelled him to abandon acting and secured a position for him in a factory. Following his pursuit of an acting career, Pran travelled to Delhi to reconcile with his father, who was a civil engineer. Despite Pran’s efforts to explain his passion for acting, his father remained unsupportive. Instead, he arranged for Pran to work in a friend’s factory and arranged his marriage to a girl from a respectable family.
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