Transitions: Legendary Bollywood actor Pran dead at 93

Legendary Bollywood actor Pran Krishan Sikand, known to a generation of cinema-goers only as Pran, passed away after prolonged illness on Friday. He was 93.

The veteran actor had been admitted to the Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai a month ago, according to the Press Trust of India (PTI). However, he was recently reported to be well on his way to recovery.

“He died after a spell of prolonged illness,” PTI quoted his daughter Pinky as saying. “He was not keeping well, he was very weak. His health was deteriorating.”

Born on February 12, 1920, Pran acted in over 350 films in a career spanning around 67 years. Although he first broke on the scene as a hero in 1940 with the Punjabi film ‘Yamla Jat’, he went on to establish himself as one of the industry’s most notable antagonists, feared and loved by audiences in equal measure. His work included powerful roles in films like Madhumati, Ram Aur Shyam, Devdas and Don.

He was conferred India’s highest cinematic honour – the Dada Saheb Phalke award – in 2012 for his contributions to the industry.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 13^th, 2013.