Bandra junction named after Bollywood legend Pran Saab
The junction was named ‘Padma Bhushan Pran Chowk’ after the actor (Picture Courtesy: Sunil Sikand)
As a form of tribute, a junction in Mumbai’s Bandra area was named after Pran, one of Bollywood’s most iconic actors.
The chowk, named after the ‘original Bollywood baddie’, is located at Bandra’s Carter Road. It’s official name is ‘Padma Bhushan Pran Chowk’.
It was named after the legendary actor to honour his innumerable contributions to Indian cinema. The plaque with the new name was installed on Sunday afternoon.
Several family members and fans were present at the naming ceremony.
#Mumbai: A ‘Chowk” named after legendary actor Pran in Bandra. Jackie Shroff also present at the inauguration. pic.twitter.com/VJRy22tFAU
— ANI (@ANI) August 27, 2018
Among them was Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff, who took to social media to share a picture of his visit. “Honoured to be at the naming ceremony of Pran Saab Marg in Bandra,” the actor captioned the image.
The actor, born Pran Krishan Sikhand, passed away due to prolonged illness in July 2013, aged 93.
In a career spanning over six decades, the actor featured in over 400 films, including the likes of ‘Milan’, ’Madhumati’, ’Bobby’, ‘Zanjeer’, ‘Don’, ‘Karz’ and ‘Ram Aur Shyam’.
While the versatile actor played characters ranging from an affable comic to a loyal friend, it were his villainous roles that helped him garner unparalleled fame and adulation from the audience.
At the height of his career, his name had become synonymous with villainy to an extent that parents stopped naming their kids ‘Pran’ to avoid any negative bias.
The veteran also has the possible distinction of being the only actor who commanded a higher remuneration for playing a villain than the film’s heroes or protagonists.
He was conferred the country’s highest cinema honour, the Dada Saheb Phalke award, a few months prior to his demise in 2013. Before that, he had been awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2001.
Bandra, incidentally, has a long tradition of naming important landmarks after noted personalities from the performing arts. Last year, Mount Mary Road number 5 was renamed after legendary filmmaker Bimal Roy.
In 2016, a junction of KC Marg and Reclamation near the bus depot in Bandra West was renamed after legendary ghazal singer and composer Jagjit Singh.
