The Dadasaheb Phalke award to be conferred on Pran this year tends to be a recognition of achievements over a long career rather than a single spectacular thespian performance, as in standard film awards for a specific year. Considering the award is named after the country’s first filmmaker, it is apt that a 93-year-old veteran should be named in the centenary year of Indian cinema.
Pran starred in over 400 films stretching over 65 years. Having begun his career in Lahore in 1945 as a hero, he went on to become the best known or, should we say the most notorious, villain because people love to hate the actors who put intense effort into the portrayal of the dark areas.
Some argue whether Pran, who did tend to get stereotypical as the arch-villain, deserves the highest award for a career in films. He was a professional artiste and a well-behaved man who showed great empathy for fellow actors. It is believed Pran was paid more than many film heroes, except the superstars against whom he played the able cinematic foil.
A common charge in the Southern industry is that a bias towards Hindi films can be seen in the Phalke awards. But then the reach of Hindi films is far greater and the impact of the bigger Hindi stars is that much greater nationally. Those who put in a sustained effort to keep the people entertained do deserve the accolades, and Pran has done it successfully for decades.