And Pran: A Biography

For the better part of the twentieth century, he was recognized as the eponymous ‘bad man’ of Indian cinema. Whether a sadistic despot or a malicious village bully, a dissolute city animal or a wicked anti-national, Pran portrayed the infinite shades of evil with consummate ease. Such was the impact that, if for centuries, not a single person has been named Ravan, then for over three decades after independence, almost no male child was named Pran, because he was ‘branded’ as the personification of evil. While Pran perfected the art of portraying evil in all its dimensions, he also immortalized the ‘good’ image in some of the most memorable characterizations ever seen on the Indian screen. Whatever the role, each performance was suffused with originality and imagination. By his use of highly stylized mannerisms, unusual get ups, realistic make-up and different accents, Pran succeeded in rising above the ordinary, in turning stereotypes into unforgettable characters. This biography unveils the life and times of one of India’s most important actors. Not only does it bring to light a career that spans more than six decades and 350 films, but it also presents an intimate portrait of the man behind the image.