Pran On Amazon India Best Sellers List

The eponymous ‘bad man’ of Hindi cinema has stirred up the Indian book market, especially Amazon.in within 24 hrs of his passing away. A book titled after the late actor is in the Amazon.in best sellers list as of now rivaling the actor who  now tops in  Google.com's Indian Hot Trends list.

This book is titled "...and Pran A Biography" in a very dramatic way, as Pran's name would appear in the casting of a film in which he acted. This biography is authored by Bunny Reuben, a film journalist  of very high repute. Mr. Reuben also has few more furs in his writing cap- biographies of the great  Mehboob Khan, another legend and of ever great Dilip Kumar, the star legend.

The veteran writer who took to film journalism in late 1940, wrote feature articles for Filmfare, Star & Style, and the Indian Express group. In 1975, he founded and edited Cine Blitz. It's told about Bunny Reuben that he has raised Indian film journalism to the level of literature.

This book on Pran comes from a master about another.

The master portrayed his roles with so much dexterity that for over a span of 30 years after  Independence, no male child (almost) was named after his name. Such was the maliciousness attached with  his name, least to say about his characters. Even after he switched over to character roles in film  "Upkar" with Manoj Kumar, his evil aura hardly faded.

Spanning a career of 60 years in films with almost 400 films to his credit, the masters life is the  history of Indian Hindi cinema for half a century. This biography not only portrays the evil man on  screen, but also the intimate portrait of the lesser known man behind the image. This soft aspect of  Pran has evaded most of all as they hated to know anything about the villain.

This book can be found in Amazon's India store, online. The book is priced at Rs. 399.00







Click here to buy it from Amazon India

The Sher Khan Pran Passes Away

Pran Kishan Sikand, better known as PRAN passes away. The stern villain loses to the hero called "life."

At the ripe age of 93(1920-2013), on July 12, 2013 he breathed his last in Mumbai's Lilavati Hospital. This was  preceded by a prolonged spell of illness as the near and dear ones of the legend put it. This is not quite uncommon at an age of 90 or beyond.

Just before a month or so he was conferred with the prestigious "Dadasaheb Phalke Award,"  to be exact in the month of May 2013. This award came too late. He was not even able to take up the journey to New Delhi to receive the award. The award was handed over to him the next day, formally at his home in Mumbai. Why so late? Well...better not to mention.

The Punjabi lad started his career as usually as a "Hero" in Punjabi films. Destined to make it big, he moved to Mumbai, Bombay as it was at that time, with an eye-full of dreams... and succeeded. He has near to 400 films to his credit.

Immortalized as "Sher Khan" of Zanzeer, he touched the heart of the Indian film lovers in many roles. He was voted "Villain of the Millennium." He can be conveniently chosen as the "Grand dad of Villains" of Indian cinema, but his best came in many genres. He has played character roles too in his later years like many other villains. Some Villain-come-character actors are still following his foot steps.

His break through came in the film Ziddi (1948) against Dev Anand. He then rose like a mega star and played the villain opposite all the superstars... that was his stature. However, he broke the stereotype in Upkar, co-starring Manoj Kumar, a hit film of 1967's.

To name few of his hit: Zanjeer, Don, Amar Akbar Anthony, Munimji, Devdas(Old), Madhumati, Ram Aur Shyam, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, and Kaalia e.t.c. In my personal opinion he is going to be best remembered  for his song "Yaari Hai Imaan Meri Yaar Mera Zindagi."

His passing away came as no surprise as he was ailing for quite sometime, but he is going to be ever remembered for his immortal performances. An era comes to an end...as every good thing has an end.

The poet, hearty, humane and romantic actor-villain of the pre-Mogambo era calls it a day.