Bollywood, Family and Fans Pay Tribute to Pran

By PTI, Indiawest

Family, fans and close friends July 13 came together to give a final farewell to Indian acting legend Pran, who passed away July 12 at Lilavati Hospital after prolonged illness. He was 93.

The legendary actor is survived by his wife Shukla, daughter Pinky and sons Arvind and Sunil.

The last rites of Pran Krishan Sikand, known to his fans as Pran, were performed by his sons at Mumbai’s Shivaji Park crematorium in Dadar at noon.

“It is indeed a very sad day for us. The last rites were performed by both the sons,” said his daughter Pinky.

Bollywood personalities including Karan Johar, Shatrugan Sinha, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa, Gulzar, Raza Murad, Tinu Anand and Kiran Kumar were spotted at the crematorium but present-day celebrities of tinsel town were conspicuous by their absence.

A host of Bollywood celebrities had taken to Twitter to express their grief following the thespian’s demise, hailing him as an icon and a “giant pillar” of Indian cinema who shaped the lives of many stars.

As condolences poured in from both the young and old in the film industry, veteran Bollywood actors Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan recalled the treasured memories of their association with Bollywood’s favorite villain.

Bachchan, who shared screen space with Pran in many films, said people like the 93-year-old stalwart don’t come anymore.

“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 being” is how Bachchan remembered Pran.

The two actors worked together in Bachchan’s first hit “Zanjeer,” followed by ”Amar Akbar Anthony,” “Kasauti,” “Majboor,” “Don,” “Kaalia,” “Naseeb,” “Nastik,” “Sharaabi,” “Andha Kanoon,” “Inquilab” and “Mrityudaata.”

“Pran Sahib! Another stalwart leaves us, and this massive and imposing film industry edifice, tottering by the removal of the giant pillars that held it up, suffers another deathly blow.

“What shall remain, thankfully, shall be the immense volume of documented work that they leave behind, a work that has been labored, sweated and bloodied over years and years of harsh and severe commitment! We don’t make the likes of them anymore,” Bachchan wrote on his blog.

Kumar, who worked with Pran in films like “Madhumati,” “Ram Aur Shyam” and “Azad,” recalled how Pran braved bad weather to attend his wedding with Saira Banu.

“My dear friend Pran liked to talk to me on the phone till recently. Saira and I visited him whenever we could. We had our Punjabi jokes, bringing back memories of the great times we shared as co-stars. He was a through gentleman,” Kumar wrote on Twitter while remembering his former co-star and friend.

“I can never forget how Pran managed to come to my marriage, braving bad weather in Srinagar where he was shooting. He took a flight to Delhi and then to Bombay and reached by evening, in time to hug me before the nikah ceremony,” the thespian added.

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan tweeted, “Why do icons who shaped our lives and emotions have to go away? You will sir, remain etched in our hearts. Allah bless your soul, Pran Sahib.”

In his tribute, Abhishek Bachchan wrote, “Thank you for the memories, Pran Sahib. You will live forever in our hearts. RIP.”

Actress Sridevi said the Bollywood legend would be missed by everyone.

Anupam Kher tweeted, “Final curtain call for one of the most loved actors of Indian cinema. An actor and a gentleman. Pran Sahib, we will miss you and your warmth. RIP.”

Madhuri Dixit wrote, “Another legend, Pran Sahib, leaves us. RIP.”

Bollywood filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said Pran will remain in the hearts of millions of people who grew up watching his  films.

Soha Ali Khan tweeted, “Pran Sahib, RIP. We have lost another legend, but his memory and massive impact will live on. I pray he is at peace.”

Gul Panag wrote, “RIP, Pran Sahib. What a life! What an innings!”

Actor Arjun Rampal, who played Pran’s role in the remake of “Don,” tweeted, “RIP, Pran Sahib; you immortalized so many characters; I was fortunate to play one of them. You live in my heart forever.”

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee also paid rich tributes to Pran. In a condolence message to the actor’s wife Shukla Sikand, the president said “I am deeply saddened to learn about the passing away of your husband, Shri Pran Krishan Sikand. Shri Pran was a highly talented actor who shall always be remembered by generations of film watchers for his versatile and vivacious acting in multifarious roles.

“In his passing away, the celluloid world has lost a veteran and acclaimed actor whose contribution to the Indian film industry remains unparalleled,” he said.

Condoling the death of Pran, Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari said, “Indian cinema has today lost an icon, an actor who set new standards of action with every role that he portrayed in the last several decades.”

Born into a wealthy family in Delhi, Pran lived and was educated in Lahore. He pursued a course in photography in Lahore before a chance meeting with writer Wali Mohammad Wali got him a role in 1940 Punjabi film “Yamla Jat.”

Pran, one of the most successful villains in the Indian film industry, appeared in over 400 films since the 1940s, essaying both negative and character roles with equal ease.

The veteran actor received the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in May this year but could not attend the function here due to his health condition.

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