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Traditionally, actors have always been the main selling points of films. This typically ensures that they are the highest-paid on set. However, in the 70s, there was a villain who became India’s highest-paid actor. Remarkably, he held this status even after turning down numerous lead roles.
Born in 1920, Pran Kishan Sikand, popularly known as Pran in Hindi cinema, became one of Bollywood’s most iconic villains. He started his career as a hero in Punjabi and Hindi films in the 1940s, before transitioning to negative roles in the late 1940s. From then until the 1980s, Pran reigned as the top villain in Hindi cinema, delievering unforgettable performances in films like Ram Aur Shyam, Madhumati, Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai, and Kashmir Ki Kali, among others.
He charged several lakhs per film. According to Sakal Times, he earned more than Manoj Kumar, Jeetendra, Dharmendra, Sunil Dutt, Vinod Khanna. For a while, Rajesh Khanna was the highest-paid actor in India. However, after his superstardom ended abruptly in the mid 70s, Pran stepped in spotlight and became the highest-paid actor. He remained at the top until Amitabh Bachchan raised his fees to over Rs 12 lakh in the early 80s.
During the filming of a song for Gumnaam, Pran unexpectedly dragged Helen into a swimming pool. While it was meant to be a prank, Helen didn’t know how to swim, and her condition worsened due to fear. Once she managed to get out of pool, she was so upset that she went straight to the director to complain about Pran’s prank.
Apart from films, Pran loved sports. According to reports, he even had his own football team in the 1950s. Pran was content with his life, and many actors looked up to him and aspired to be like him.
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