Bollywood Actor Pran Conferred India's Highest Cinema Honour - Dada Saheb Phalke Award for 2012

The Dada Saheb Phalke Award, named after the father of Indian cinema Dada Saheb Phalke, will be conferred on Pran on May 3,2013.The award carries - Swarna Kamal Medal, a Shawl and a Cash Prize of Rs 10 lakh

Pran was educated at places like Kapurthala, Unnao, Meerut, Dehradun and Rampur as his father Lala Kewal Krishnan Sikand was in government service

Pran was based in Lahore during the undivided India, and had suffered a brief hiatus in his career following the partition in 1947.  Later he moved to Mumbai, then Bombay.The Dev Anand starrer 'Ziddi' (1948)revived Pran's career 



Pran(DOB Feb 12,1920) got his first break in Punjabi film 'Yamla Jat' in 1940.There was no looking back for the actor after that as he went on to star in films like 'Chaudhary' (1941), 'Khandan'(1942), 'Kaise Kahun' (1945) and 'Badnami (1946)

He commanded equal money and respect for his negative characters in 'Madhumati', 'Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai', 'Ram Aur Shyam' and 'Devdas'.

Pran's chameleon-like ability helped Pran transform himself from one of the most hated onscreen villains to one of the most beloved character actors be it the 'Mangal chacha' in 'Upkar', Sher Khan of opposite Amitabh Bachchan in 'Zanjeer' or the discipline-loving but soft-hearted grandfather in Gulzar's 'Parichay'.

Pran will be forever remembered for bringing villains on par with the heroes, ruling the industry from 1969 to 1982.

Pran with Amitabh Bachchan

 Pran with Dev Anand and Manoj Kumar