Information & Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari on Friday presented the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for life time achievement to Pran Kishan Sikand, popularly known as Pran, at the latter’s Bandra residence in north-west Mumbai.
With the 93-year-old Pran having not been able to make it to the National Film Awards Function held in New Delhi on May 3, Tewari flew down to Mumbai to present the Dadasaheb Phalke to the veteran actor.
Accompanied by I&B Secretary Uday Kumar Varma and a delegation of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the Directorate of Film Festivals, Tewari visited the veteran actor’s Bandra residence, and honoured him the coveted award, comprising a Swarn Kamal, citation, shawl and a cash prize of Rs10 lakh.
Speaking on the occasion, Tewari said: “It is an honour for me to present this award to Pransaab in person during in the centenary year of the Indian Cinema... Pransaab is the one of the most deserving persons to get the award. The honour bestowed on him has added to the prestige of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award”.
The citation, presented to the veteran actor along with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, spoke in glowing terms about Pran’s “inspiring journey” in the Hindi film industry spanning over six decades and his “outstanding contribution” to Indian Cinema during the period.
“His impressive performances have bestowed an entirely unique new dimension to the negative and character roles in Hindi cinema. His contribution to mainstream Hindi cinema is well recognised ensuring him the place of one of the most illustrious and celebrated actors of Indian film industry,” the citation read.
“During his career, he has given sterling performances in over 350 films and in each one of them, he brought new mannerism and style, holding the audience spellbound by his acting,” the citation added.
Pran is the 44th recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, which was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year Dadasaheb Phalke, considered the Father of Indian Cinema.
Dadasaheb Phalke award is India’s highest award in cinema, given annually by the Government of India to recognise the contribution of film personalities towards the development of Indian Cinema and for their distinguished contribution to the growth and promotion of the medium.
Pran has given sterling performances in many films along with Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor in 1950s, 60s and 70s.
Prominent among the films that made Pran a household name in the country included: Azaad, Madhumati, Devdas, Dil Diya Dard liya, Ram Aur Shyam, Aadmi, Ziddi, Munimji, Amar Deep, Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Aah, Chori Chori, Jagte Raho, Chhalia, Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai and Zanjeer.