/> Amitabh Bachchan: `I am delighted. A most deserving recognition. `

Saroj Khan: `Thank God they gave him the honour while he is breathing. Pran Saheb should have got this award long back. I congratulate him from the bottom of my heart. Long live Pran Saheb. `

Subhash Ghai: `Pran Saheb deserved the Dadasaheb Phalke award long back. He has worked with me in Vishawnath, Karz and Krodhi playing completely different characters. He was the king of villainy for two decades and a star character-actor for a decade.

I wish legends like him get honored at the right time so that they can appreciate and enjoy the recognition. I think Pran Saheb should have got this award at the age of 70. `


Gulshan Grover: `I applaud the jury for giving this honour to Pran Saab and thereby ending the discrimination between villainy and heroism that often exists in these awards.

I've learnt so much from Pran Saab and by observing him personally. I've been fortunate not only to have received his guidance but also his appreciation. I am inspired by his professionalism, dedication and his ability to stand out in each and every role. `

Raza Murad: `Why this delay in honouring the most deserving person of our film fraternity? The 93-year old frail acting powerhouse is bedridden. How is is he going to receive the award in person now when he is unable to stand on his feet?

His contribution was worthy of the Dadasaheb Phalke award 30 years ago. Then why this delayed recognition? The President Of India should be kind enough to go to Pran Saab's home with the award and hand it over to him. We owe him that much. `

Asha Parekh: `I am so happy for Pran Saab. He thoroughly deserves the award. I've worked with him in many films. He has played both the villain and the good Samaritan in my films with him. He was never shy of changing sides on screen.

Contrary to his serious image Pran Saab is every entertaining on the sets. He would always have stories to tell and he would tell them in a very interesting way. But once the camera was on he was fully into his character. I think he deserved to be honoured long back. `


Saira Banu: `Very well deserved. What a range of roles and emotions he has portrayed for decades!I've worked with him in the strong, negative desh drohi image of Purab Aur Paschim and the comic trickster in Victoria 203. What a gamut of emotions!`

Raj Babbar: `That an actor who has excelled for 70 years is finally being honoured is a matter of great pride and relief for the entire film industry. I have always been hugely inspired by Pran Saab's personal and professional conduct. We worked together in Durga where I was struck by how softspoken Pran Saab was.

When the camera was on his voice would transform into a boom. He played both black and white characters with equal aplomb. When he was a villain he was despicable for years and years. When he started doing positive roles he was equally effectual in what he did. Woh kehte hai na, ek kalaakar ka noor uske kaam mein jhalakta hai.

When Pran Saab played villains he looked absolutely evil. When he was a good man in Upkar, Zanjeer, Adikhar he looked noble. His elaborate get-ups at a time when there was none of the comfort of airconditioned vanity vans were exemplary for actors like us. In that sweltering heat on location Pran Saab would sit with the beard, costumes, makeup and the accessories.

Like Pran Saab I too refused to let myself be slotted in any one image. Like Pran Saab I've shuffled between black and white roles throughout my career. I have played the leading and the villain keeping in mind Pran Saab's ability to cross over from one moral zone to another without tripping over.

I am happy Pran Saab has received this award during his lifetime. I've heard he isn't keeping good health. I wish him quick recovery.


Hema Malini: `It's wonderful to see someone so deserving get the award. I've worked with him in some of his best films like Kasauti and Naseeb. ` Shabana Azmi: `It's a well-deserved recognition. Pran Saab was so effective as a villain that generations didn't name their children Pran, although it's such a lovely name for fear they would infuse villainy in their kids by naming them after the 'villain'! In real life he's a gentleman, well-read and an aficionado of the Arts. `

Pinky Sikand (Pran's daughter): `It's a proud moment for all of us. (Responding to Pran Saab getting the honour too late)... Pran Saab has no complaints or regrets about life career or the film industry. He is a content humanbeing. `

Shatrughan Sinha On Pran Saab


"I'd say the honour is too late too little too delayed but thoroughly deserving for an incomparable actor who is also a kind and helpful humanbeing. Der aaye par durust aaye. Better late than never and I'd like to add better never than 'late'.

What is the point of honouring the dead? We're fortunate to have Pran Saab with us and that he got the Dadasaheb Phalke award during his lifetime. He is an actor par excellence and a great humanbeing.

I recommended him very strongly for the Dadaseheb Phalke award on two different occasions. But the award was given to two other actors. Even Lata Mangeshkarji had tried to get Pran Saab the Dadasaheb Phalke.

But like I said, the whole industry is happy it has finally happened. I've worked with Pran Saab in some really lovely films including a film called Buniyaad and Subhash Ghai's Vishwanath. Subhash always used to say Pran Saab was the epitome of punctuality while I was just the opposite.

If people adjusted their watches according to Pran Saab's schedules they simply stopped consulting their watches because of me. Subhash would plead with me to be on time for the morning shift because the first shot was mine.

Needless to say I was never on time whereas Pran Saab who was not needed for the first shot would be there. I'd say the Dadasaheb Phalke award has honoured Pran Saab as much as he has honoured the award. `