Pran
Born: 12 February 1920
Pran Sikand is basically the godfather of the villain in Hindi cinema—a legend who turned negative roles into an art form during a staggering 67-year career. Born in Lahore in 1920, he transitioned from playing heroes in the early 1940s to becoming the screen's most magnetic antagonist, appearing in over 362 films that showcase his incredible range. From the late '40s through the '70s, Pran was absolutely unstoppable, defining what "evil" looked like on the Indian screen with such intensity that parents literally stopped naming their kids after him. His filmography reads like a greatest hits list—Madhumati, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, Don, Amar Akbar Anthony—and he snagged three Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actor plus a Special Award that cemented his status as one of cinema's finest character actors. What made Pran truly special wasn't just his ability to steal scenes; it was how he humanized villains before anyone else thought to do it. He brought nuance and complexity to roles that could've been one-dimensional, influencing generations of actors who came after him. Even as his work shifted toward character and supporting roles from the '90s onward, his presence carried weight—audiences knew they were watching a master class. Pran's contributions earned him the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2013, recognition that felt overdue for someone who'd essentially invented modern villainy in Bollywood. He worked until 2007, leaving behind an untouchable legacy that transformed how Indian cinema portrays morally complex characters.
Awards & Nominations
Pran has been honoured with awards for his portrayal of negative characters. He has received three Filmfare Awards in the Best Supporting Actor category for Upkar, Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool and Be-Imaan. However, in 1973 when he was awarded for his role of constable Ram Singh in Be-Imaan, he refused to accept the award stating that the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director should have gone to Ghulam Mohammed for Pakeezah and not to the musical duo Shankar Jaikishan for Be-imaan. He could not attend the 60th National Film Awards in May 2013 where he was to be presented the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Instead, Information and Broadcasting minister Manish Tewari presented the award at Pran's home in Mumbai. Celebrities congratulated him on this occasion with Amitabh Bachchan calling him "a large pillar of the Indian Film Industry" on Twitter. He was a contender of the award for the previous year with Manoj Kumar and Vyjayanthimala, but Soumitra Chatterjee was chosen as the awardee.
Filmography
Zanjeer
2013
Dostana
2008
Victoria No. 203
2007
Badmaash
1998
Mrityudata
1997
Gudia
1997
Lav Kush
1997
Kaun Rokega Mujhe
1997
Tere Mere Sapne
1996
1942: A Love Story
1994
Chandra Mukhi
1993
Gurudev
1993
Bhagyawan
1993
Heer Ranjha
1992
Lakshmanrekha
1991
Sanam Bewafa
1991
Roti Ki Keemat
1990
Azaad Desh Ke Gulam
1990
Toofan
1989
Chingari
1989
Shukriya
1989
Paap Ki Duniya
1988
Gunahon Ka Faisla
1988
Rama O Rama
1988
Sherni
1988
Shahenshah
1988
Hifazat
1987
Imaandaar
1987
Muqaddar Ka Faisla
1987
Maa Beti
1987
Sitapur Ki Geeta
1987
Dharm Adhikari
1986
Sadaa Suhagan
1986
Love and God
1986
Jeeva
1986
Dosti Dushmani
1986
Dilwaala
1986
Karm Yudh
1985
Bewafai
1985
Maa Kasam
1985
Pataal Bhairavi
1985
Sarfarosh
1985
Yudh
1985
Durgaa
1985
Hoshiyar
1985
Narayana Rao Dasari
1984
Raaj Tilak
1984
Sharaabi
1984
Sohni Mahiwal
1984
Mera Faisla
1984
Laila
1984
Jagir
1984
Haisiyat
1984
Farishta
1984
Duniya
1984
Daulat Ke Dushman
1983
Woh Jo Hasina
1983
Souten
1983
Lalach
1983
Film Hi Film
1983
Naukar Biwi Ka
1983
Nastik
1983
Bhappi Sonie
1983
Sawan Kumar Tak
1983
Ek Jaan Hain Hum
1983
Bade Dil Wala
1983
Andha Kanoon
1983
Partner
1982
Taqdeer Ka Badshah
1982
S. Ali Raza
1982
Taaqat
1982
Jaanwar
1982
Jeeo Aur Jeene Do
1982
Kaalia
1981
Khuda Kasam
1981
Krodhi
1981
Khoon Ka Rishta
1981
Ladies Tailor
1981
Maan Gaye Ustaad
1981
Waqt Ki Deewar
1981
Naseeb
1981
Bombay 405 Miles
1980
Dostana
1980
B. Subhash
1980
Dhan Daulat
1980
Aap Ke Deewane
1980
Zalim
1980
Patthar Se Takkar
1980
Jwalamukhi
1980
Jal Mahal
1980
Desh Drohi
1980
Karz
1980
Atmaram
1979
Teen Chehre
1979
Don
1978
Apna Khoon
1978
Vishwanath
1978
Phaansi
1978
Khoon Ki Pukaar
1978
Ganga Ki Saugandh
1978
Do Musafir
1978
Des Pardes
1978
Chor Ho To Aisa
1978
Sultan Ahmad
1978
Chor Ke Ghar Chor
1978
Dharam Veer
1977
Chakkar Pe Chakkar
1977
Amar Akbar Anthony
1977
Hatyara
1977
Chandi Sona
1977
Farishta Ya Qatil
1977
Shankar Dada
1976
Dus Numbri
1976
Khalifa
1976
Chori Mera Kaam
1975
Lafange
1975
Do Jhoot
1975
Zinda Dil
1975
Sanyasi
1975
Sikandar Khanna
1975
Warrant
1975
Zehreela Insaan
1974
Majboor
1974
Kasauti
1974
Joshila
1973
Bobby
1973
Dharma
1973
Bhappi Sonie
1973
Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara
1973
Gaddaar
1973
Insaaf
1973
Jheel Ke Us Paar
1973
Jugnu
1973
Paanch Dushman
1973
Rickshawala
1973
Zanjeer
1973
Jangal Mein Mangal
1972
Parichay
1972
Roop Tera Mastana
1972
Sazaa
1972
Ek Bechara
1972
Aan Baan
1972
Be-Imaan
1972
Aankhon Aankhon Mein
1972
Sampooran Singh Gulzar
1972
Khalid Akhtar
1972
Brij
1972
Victoria No. 203
1972
Yeh Gulistan Hamara
1972
Lakhon Me Ek
1971
Jwala
1971
Johar Mehmood in Hong Kong
1971
Parde Ke Peechey
1971
S. S. Balan
1971
Bhappi Sonie
1971
Adhikar
1971
Jawan Mohabbat
1971
Ganga Tera Pani Amrit
1971
Guddi
1971
Naya Zamana
1971
Maryada
1971
Bhai-Bhai
1970
Yaadgaar
1970
Tum Haseen Main Jawaan
1970
Samaj Ko Badal Dalo
1970
Purab Aur Paschim
1970
Nanak Dukhiya Sub Sansar
1970
Kab? Kyoon? Aur Kahan?
1970
Humjoli
1970
Heer Raanjha
1970
Gopi
1970
Ganwaar
1970
Johny Mera Naam
1970
Ramanna
1970
Madhusudan Rao V.
1970
Bhappi Sonie
1970
Nanha Farishta
1969
Pyar Hi Pyar
1969
Bhappi Sonie
1969
Sachaai
1969
Tumse Achha Kaun Hai
1969
Anjaana
1969
Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool
1969
Bhai Bahen
1969
Madhavi
1969
Brahmachari
1968
Brahmachari
1968
Sadhu Aur Shaitaan
1968
Aadmi
1968
Bhappi Sonie
1968
A. Bhim Singh
1968
Upkar
1967
Aurat
1967
An Evening in Paris
1967
Around the World
1967
Aurat
1967
Milan
1967
Patthar Ke Sanam
1967
Ram Aur Shyam
1967
Tapi Chanakya
1967