He has several interesting facts related to veteran actor Pran to share with. He remembers all past visit of the veteran actor to the state. He also knows when and where actor stayed during his visits to the state for shooting of films. Manoj Panjani, a resident of the city, is a great fan of Pran.
He also read several books related to Pran in his store. He is planning a special show of Pran’s movie Johny Mera Naam on May 3 when the great actor would be conferred the prestigious Dada Saheb Award. Recalling a visit of Pran when he was here for the shooting of Ganga Tera Pani Amrit, Panjani said, “He is a wonderful human being. As he got free from shooting, Pran Saheb remarked that mai 65 baar shaadi ke mandap me baitha, lekin shadi ek baar bhi nahi hui (Even after solemnizing marriage on 65 occasions in the movie, I am still a bachelor).”
Panjani recalled how the actor used to mingle with the locals and used to move around with them. Actor once paid Rs 20 to a Tangawala when he was taking him to the shooting venue. He took control of horse cart, removing owner of the tanga from his seat.
He said, “It is great that the veteran actor would be honoured with the coveted award.
This is respect to the acting of the great actor since he has become synonymous with acting with the passage of time. He is the actor who made several characters memorable. Dharma is one among the others.”
He said that the role of a dalit played by Pran in Ganga Ki Saugandh left indelible imprint on his mind. Panjani said that he was so passionate to watch the movies of Pran that he bunked school. He recalled that the actor visited Ghora Khal area in Nainital during shooting of Bawali.
Panjani nourished a dream to meet Pran since his childhood. His dream came true in 1996 when he visited Mumbai. “That was a great occasion for me. I would never forget that. The actor shook hand with me,” Panjani said, recalling the moment he defined as glorious.
He said that very few people would be aware with the fact that it was Pran who suggested name of Amitabh Bachchan to Prakash Mehra for Zanjeer that proved a milestone in career of Amitabh who never looked back thereafter. Panjani, a doctorate in Modern Indian History, also made 70 episodes based on lives of actors played role behind the scenes.
He said that he watched almost each movie in which Pran played a role.
Almost every film director wanted to take him in his films as presence of Pran in the film was enough to draw the people to ticket window.