Six different shades of Pran

Based in Iran, the film was actually about the romance between Niloufer (Meena Kumari) and Parvez (Ajit). But the title came from the antagonist, Changez Khan's grandson Halaku Khan, played by Pran. Unlike the usual evil kings, however, Pran's character also had a shade of humour, especially owing to his unusual make-up. This coupled with his convincing act ensured Pran took away all the limelight when the film released.

In this film starring Raj Kapoor and Nutan, Pran played a mean character eager to marry the heroine. But the most striking feature about this act was the character's contrasting behaviour. While he is very dominating in front of Nutan, he becomes a nervous wreck in front of her father. And as one would expect, Pran excelled in both shades.

Don is one of Amitabh Bachchan’s most accomplished acts. Still, it is not possible to forget Pran when discussing this film. Pran played a circus entertainer who gets entangled in a robbery, an out-of-the-box character. And who can forget the famous scene in which Pran's character, who is lame, walks a tightrope with his kids to rescue them from the villain's den? Of course, the unusual wig added a different flavour to the character.

Pran played the guy eyeing the heroine times without number. But his character in Aurat stood out because he proposes marriage to the character played by Padmini, who is of his daughter’s age. His get-up coupled by his eagerness to marry the young woman is something you cannot easily forget. Needless to say, he convincingly got into the skin of his character.

Madhumati was one of the earliest reincarnation dramas in Hindi cinema. The film saw Pran playing a villain in Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala's love story. But he bites the dust when Dilip Kumar’s character is reborn. Apart from Pran’s convincing act, what was noticeable was that his character hardly aged in this film. His method of twirling his stick was also memorable.

In Nanha Farishta, Pran played one of three professional criminals whose lives are turned topsy-turvy when a cute child lands in their midst. Despite their mean streaks, the hardboiled men are eventually softened by the child. To see Pran’s ruthless criminal performing silly antics just to keep the kid happy is something to watch out for.