In a rare gesture, I&B Minister presents Dadasaheb Phalke Award to Pran at his Bandra residence
Perhaps for the first time, as the ‘Unwritten’ rule is that the recipient has to accept award in person from the President of India, this year the highest National Film Award Honour for Lifetime Achievement, known as “Dadasaheb Phalke Award” was conferred on the veteran actor Pran at his residence in Mumbai (Due to his ill-health and inability to travel). A few years back, the Veteran actress from Bengal Suchitra Sen was denied this award by the then Minister Of Information and Broadcasting, the late Priyaranjan Dasmunshi; as she had also expressed her inability to present herself before the President to receive award on health ground.
However, this year by way of a rare gesture, an exception was made by the present Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting Manish Tewari who flew down to Mumbai on 10 th May 2013 to present the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke award for Lifetime Achievement to Pran Kishan Sikand, popularly known by his mononym – Pran. The veteran actor, 93, was unable to travel to New Delhi for the National Film Awards function held on May 3, 2013.
The Minister, accompanied by I & B Secretary Uday Kumar Varma and a delegation of the Ministry of Information & Broadcasting and the Directorate of Film Festivals presented the coveted award, comprising a Swarn Kamal, citation, shawl and a cash prize of Rs 1 million (Rs 10 lakhs).
Speaking on the occasion, Manish Tewari said "It is an honour for me to present this award to Pran saab in person, in the centenary year of the Indian Cinema.". He further said that Pran Saab was one of the most deserving person to get the award, and this has added lustre to the Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Dada Saheb Phalke award is India’s highest award in cinema, given annually by the Government of India to recognize 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 is the 44th recipient of the Award, which was instituted in 1969, the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke, considered to be the Father of Indian Cinema.
Pran has given sterling performances in many films along with Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor in 1950s, 60s and 70s. Pran’s performances have received acclaim in films like Azaad, Madhumati, Devdas, Dil Diya Dard Liya, Ram Aur Shyam and Aadmi, Ziddi, Munimji, Amar Deep, Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Aah, Chori Chori, Jagte Raho, Chhalia, Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai, Zanjeer Upkaar etc.etc. The list is long.
Born in the year 1920 in Old Delhi, Pran started his career way back in 1940 with a film “Yamla Jat” at Lahore. After partition in 1947, he moved to Bombay. With the help of the famous writer Saadat Hasan Manto and actor Shyam, Pran got a break in the Bombay Talkies film “Ziddi” which had Dev Anand in the lead. The film was a hit. Thereafter which there was no turning back for him.
Pran’s 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 recognized, assuring him the place of one of the most illustrious and celebrated actors of the Indian film industry.
He has acted in over 400 films in a career spanning six decades. And in each one of them, he brought new mannerism and style, holding the audience spell bound by his acting.
Pran is a recipient of a number of film awards including three Filmfare Awards for his portrayal of both negative and character roles. In 2001, the Government of India had honoured him with the Padma Bhushan award.
This highest award in cinema given by the Government of India, is conferred upon Shri Pran for his outstanding contribution to Indian Cinema. 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 recognized ensuring him the place of one of the most illustrious and celebrated actors of Indian film industry. 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 spell bound by his acting.
This citation is in recognition of Shri Pran’s inspiring journey in the Indian cinema spanning over several decades
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