Pran and…, mannerisms

Villains in Hindi movies are known for their mannerisms. Many actors, who play villain’s role, remain moulded to a particular style of their own.

It may be Gabbar Singh or Mogambo. The unique mannerisms portrayed by actors for such characters make people identify the actors with the real person, in spite of their memorable roles in other movies.

The mannerisms of Pran, who has been chosen for Dada Saheb Phalke award, have remained different in his movies.

As Daku Raka in the 1961 movie, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, he was seen running his index finger inside his collar often.

His hairstyle and moustache in the 1965 movie Khandaan was based on Hitler. He was also seen twitching his nose in that movie.

If you observe him in the 1964 movie Kashmir Ki Kali, you will see a comedy element in villain in that movie. He pronounced ‘sa’ as ‘sha’ in major portion of his dialogues in that movie.

In the old Hindi movies, either the villain made the heroine to dance in his ‘adda’ or danced to the tunes of cabaret dancers in their movies. As Raja Babu in the 1962 movie Half Ticket, Pran dances with Kishor Kumar to the tune ‘aake seedhi dil pe’. In fact, Kishor sang for both the characters in that song.

Even in positive characters, Pran makes a lasting impression in the minds of viewers. As a red-haired Sher Khan in the 1973 movie Zanjeer, his dialogues are a treat.

In his foreword to the biography, ‘…and Pran’, Amitabh Bachchan writes: “Throughout an estimable career, he used his eyes, voice, diction, facial mobility and body language to a powerful effect.”

Amitabh Bachchan further says: “Pran means life. And he has given cinema just that with his seamless artistry. He struck terror in the heart of the audience, assuaging them finally with the moral - ladies and gentlemen -- evil does not win.”