5 memorable Pran films on his 95th birthday

The big baddie of Hindi cinema, Pran Krishan Sikand alias Pran, might be famous for portaying some of the most sinister characters on screen. Interestingly however, the Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Awardee, who passed away in July 2013, had also delivered some stellar performances in positive roles that left an everlasting impression in the minds of the audience. On the legendary actor's 95th birth anniversary today, we take a look at five Bollywood hits where we saw Pran in a heartwarming character as against his widely popular image.

Pran in his many looks across his over 60 years of stint in Bollywood when he acted in 350 films

PARICHAY

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This 1972 Gulzar film saw Pran as strict yet loving grandfather that he very convincingly portrayed on screen - a stark contrast to the image that he was more popular for over the years.

AMAR AKBAR ANTHONY

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In this 1977 blockbuster, Pran played a father, Kishenlal, who lost his entire family including his three kids during their childhood as a result of a conspiracy. Amid three big starts of the time - Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor portraying the roles of the three brothers, Pran's poignant act of a father in search of his lost family, etched a mark in the minds of all. 

DON

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Released in 1978, Pran played character of Jasjit in Amitabh Bachchan's cult action thriller Don, and was reportedly paid more than Bachchan in the film. In the film he is seem on a mission of revenge against and in search of his children. From sporting hazel eyes to holding the cigarette in his inimitable style he did everything to win the audience's hatred in his portrayal of the character that seemed like a negative one initially but emerged out as one with a positive story behind. The transformation was seamless and convncing. 

UPKAR

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Pran managed to get the audience teary-eyed playing the cult character of Mangal Chacha in actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumar's film Upkar. This was his first positive character role, and the film became a super hit in 1967. The song, Kasme Waade Pyar Wafa sung by Pran's character became very popular, too, and his act not only melted the hearts of the audience but also got him the Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award.
 

ZANJEER

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One of Pran's best and most heartwarming acts was in Prakash Mehra's 1973 hit Zanjeer, where he portrayed the role of a Pathan - Sher Khan. Reports around that time suggest that it was in fact Pran who recommended Amitabh Bachchan, a rank newcomer's name to Prakash Mehra for the lead role of Vijay that eventually shaped Big B's career in Bollywood. The song, Yaari hai imaan... that has Pran and Bachchan dancing is an evergreen number, popular till today. The actor won the BFJA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for this film.