Sanjeev Kumar

Sanjeev Kumar (born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala; 9 July 1938 – 6 November 1985) was an Indian actor. Considered as one of the greatest actors of Indian Cinema, he is well remembered for his versatility and genuine portrayal of his characters. He acted in genres ranging from romantic dramas to thrillers and was voted the seventh greatest actor of Indian cinema of all time in a poll conducted by Rediff.com. His double role in the film ''Angoor'' was listed among the 25 best acting performances of Indian cinema by Forbes India on the occasion of celebrating 100 years of Indian Cinema.Sanjeev Kumar: Movies, Photos, Videos, News & Biography , eTimes
. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (1938-07-09). Retrieved on 2018-11-08.

He won several major awards, including two National Film Awards for Best Actor for his performances in the movies '' Dastak'' (1970) and '' Koshish'' (1972). Unlike his peers, Kumar did not mind playing roles that were non-glamorous, such as characters well beyond his age. Movies such as iconic character ''Thakur'' in ''Sholay'' (1975) '' Arjun Pandit'' (1976) and '' Trishul'' (1978), along with the remakes of Tamil films into Hindi such as '' Khilona'' (1970), '' Naya Din Nai Raat'' (1974), '' Yehi Hai Zindagi'' (1977), ''Devata'' (1978) and '' Ram Tere Kitne Naam'' (1985) exemplify his versatility. He also did suspense-thriller films such as '' Shikar'' (1968), '' Uljhan'' (1975) and '' Trishna'' (1978) and '' Qatl'' (1986), Kumar also proved himself to do comedy in films such as '' Manchali'' (1973), '' Pati Patni Aur Woh'' (1978), '' Biwi-O-Biwi'' (1981) '' Angoor'' (1982) and ''Hero'' (1983).

Early life and background

Sanjeev Kumar was born as Harihar Jethalal Jariwala (also referred to as Haribhai) on 9 July 1938 in Surat into a Gujarati family. He came to Bombay when he was very young. A stint in a film school led him to Bollywood, where he eventually became an accomplished actor. He is widely acclaimed by the critics and general public alike to be one of the all-time greatest actors of Indian cinema.

Kumar had two younger brothers and one sister. He spoke Gujarati, Hindi and English fluently.

Career

Kumar started his acting career as a stage actor, starting with IPTA in Bombay and later joining the Indian National Theatre. Even as a stage actor, he had a penchant for playing older roles; at age 22, he played an old man in an adaptation of Arthur Miller's ''All My Sons''. In the following year, in the play ''Damru'' directed by A.K. Hangal, he again played the role of a 60-year-old with six children.

He made his film debut with a small role in '' Hum Hindustani'' in 1960. His first film as a protagonist was in Nishan (1965). In 1968, he acted alongside the famous actor of that time, Dilip Kumar, in Sangharsh. He also starred opposite Shammi Kapoor and Sadhana in the superhit film Sachaai (1969).

He starred in the 1966 Gujarati film '' Kalapi'', which was based on the poet Kalapi's life, with him playing the title role, Padmarani playing the role of his wife, Rama, and Aruna Irani as the love interest. The film was directed by Manhar Raskapur. Later Aruna Irani was paired opposite Sanjeev in another Gujarati film, ''Mare Javun Pele Par'' (1968).

In 1970, the movie '' Khilona'', which was the remake of Gujarati film ''Mare Javun Pele Paar'' (1968), brought Kumar national recognition. In 1972, he played in an Indo-Iranian film, '' Subah-O-Shaam''. This was when the director Gulzar first spotted him. Later he cast Sanjiv Kumar in the roles of older men in 4 films '' Parichay'' (1972), '' Koshish'' (1973), ''Aandhi'' (1975) and '' Mausam'' (1975). Gulzar cast Sanjiv Kumar in role of young man in the films '' Angoor'' (1981) and '' Namkeen'' (1982). Kumar won the BFJA Awards for Best Actor (Hindi) for his exemplary portrayal of a deaf and mute person in '' Koshish'', in which the female lead was played by Jaya Bhaduri, who acted as his deaf and mute wife and was herself nominated for Best Actor award by Filmfare for the same role. He went on to star in the box office hits '' Seeta Aur Geeta'' (1972), '' Manchali'' (1973) and '' Aap Ki Kasam'' (1974). In 1973, he made a guest appearance during a song in a Tamil movie, '' Bharatha Vilas'' (1973). He performed in nine movies directed by Gulzar. Hrishikesh Mukherjee directed him in '' Arjun Pandit'', for which he won the Filmfare Best Actor Award.

He did three films opposite famous Tamil actress L. Vijayalakshmi, including ''Husn Aur Ishq'' and ''Badal'' which became hits. Their first film was '' Alibaba Aur 40 Chor'' which was unsuccessful. His '' Raja Aur Runk'', released in 1968, was a great success. He did '' Kangan'', '' Rivaaj'', '' Zindagi'', '' Be-Reham'', '' Archana'' and '' Do Ladkiyan'' opposite Mala Sinha. He did '' Priya'', '' Anubhav'', ''Gustaaki Maaf'', '' Bachpan'' and '' Khud-Daar'' with Tanuja. He was paired with Raakhee in '' Angaare'', '' Paras'', '' Trishna'', '' Shriman Shrimati'' and '' Hamare Tumhare''. His hits with Leena Chandavarkar included ''Apne Rang Hazar'', '' Manchali'' and '' Anhonee''. He was paired regularly with Sulakshana Pandit in films such as '' Uljhan'' and '' Waqt Ki Deewar'' and with Moushumi Chatterjee in ''Itni Si Baat'' and ''Daasi''.

The producers and directors of the South wanted to remake their Tamil and Telugu films in Hindi with either Kumar or Rajesh Khanna in lead. It was these Hindi film remakes that elevated him to a great actor. '' Khilona'' and its Tamil version '' Engirundho Vandhaal'' were made simultaneously. ''Navarathri'' was remade as '' Naya Din Nai Raat''. Kumar reprised the role played by Thengai Srinivasan in '' Yehi Hai Zindagi'' which was a remake of '' Kaliyuga Kannan''. He starred as the lead '' Shaandaar'' (1974) which was a remake of '' Kasturi Nivasa'' with Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar in the lead. Kumar enacted the role played by AVM Rajan in ''Anadhai Aanandhan'', in its Hindi version '' Chanda Aur Bijli''. '' Gnana Oli'' was remade as ''Devata'' in 1978 with Kumar reprising the role originally played by Sivaji Ganesan. He also acted in '' Swarg Narak'' (1978) the remake of '' Swargam Narakam.'' He played the role which N.T. Rama Rao did originally in ''Devina Chesina Manushulu'', in its Hindi version Takkar in 1980. '' Tayaramma Bangarayya'' was remade as ''Shriman Shrimati'' in 1982, ''Raman Ethanai Ramanadi'' was remade as ''Raam Kitne Tere Naam'' in 1985. Kumar reprised the role played by R.Muthuraman in ''Alukuoru Aasai'' in its Hindi remake ''Itni Si Baat'' in 1981. Sivaji Ganesan gave Kumar a role in his own home production ''Gauri'' (1968), which was a remake of ''Shanti'' (1965). The role played by S.S. Rajendran in ''Shanti'' was re-enacted by Kumar in ''Gauri''.

Northern Indian producers and directors cast Sanjeev Kumar primarily in supporting roles in films like Khud-Daar, Sawaal, Zabardast, Hero, and Silsila. Sanjeev Kumar's excellent comic timing entertained audiences in films such as '' Seeta Aur Geeta'', ''Biwi O Biwi'' (1981), '' Pati, Patni Aur Woh'', '' Angoor'' (1982) and ''Hero'' (1983).

His performances in films such as , ''Grihapravesh'', ''Chehre Pe Chehra'', Suraag, ''Sawaal'' and ''Yaadgaar'' were appreciated by critics. Kumar always demonstrated a willingness to take on unconventional roles that challenged him as an actor. His role as Mirza Sajjad Ali, a chess-obsessed Lucknowi (citizen of Lucknow), in Satyajit Ray's classic '' Shatranj Ke Khilari'' (1977) exemplified that aspect. Perhaps his best-remembered roles were in the blockbuster films ''Sholay'' (1975) and '' Trishul'' (1978). His portrayal of the character Thakur, from ''Sholay'' was one of his stellar performances. In '' Naya Din Nayi Raat'' (1974), Sanjeev Kumar reprised nine-roles. This film enhanced his status and reputation as a serious player in Bollywood. He stood his ground against leading superstars such as Rajesh Khanna in ''Aap Ki Kasam''; Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor in the Yash Chopra multi-star cast film '' Trishul'' (1978) and Dilip Kumar in ''Sangharsh'' and ''Vidhaata'' (1982).

He has done many regional films in different languages including Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Sindhi and his mother tongue Gujarati. In 1980, he starred in the Punjabi movie ''Fauji Chacha''. He has made guest appearances in two Tamil films, ''Bharata Vilas'' and ''Uyarndhavargal'' (a remake of ''Koshish'').

Personal life

Kumar remained single all his life. He had proposed to Hema Malini in 1973 and they remained in touch thereafter. Sulakshana Pandit later recounted having been in love with him and having proposed marriage to him which he politely declined. It is speculated as a result of this rejection, Pandit chose to remain unmarried.

Health problems and death

After his first heart attack, he underwent a bypass surgery in the U.S. However, on 6 November 1985, at the age of 47, he suffered a massive heart attack, which resulted in his death. His younger brother Nikul died before him, while his other brother Kishore died six months later.

More than ten movies starring Sanjeev Kumar were released after his death, with the last one, '' Professor Ki Padosan'', released in 1993. At the time of his death, only about three-fourths of this movie was complete, and it was eventually decided to alter the story line in the second half to explain the absence of Kumar's character.

Artistry and legacy

Kumar is known for his diverse roles, charm, elegance and ability to bring authenticity and depth to a wide range. He did not mind playing roles that were non-glamorous, such as characters well beyond his age. In 2022, Kumar was placed in ''Outlook India''s "75 Best Bollywood Actors" list.

Dinesh Raheja of '' Rediff.com'' noted, "Sanjeev Kumar thrived in spite of defying many of Bollywood's norms for heroes. He defied the industry's unwritten-rules not out of necessity, but by choice. This actor did not have to sequin himself in designer duds to endear himself to the audience. He did so with his virtuoso performances." Devesh Sharma of ''Filmfare'' said, "Whether he made you cry in '' Koshish'', or laugh in '' Angoor'', put you on the edge in ''Sholay'' or shocked you in '' Khilona'', he could do it with ease. When a director hired Sanjeev Kumar, he hired the luxury of going to sleep. The actor would arrive at the fag end of the shift and wind up before the rest of them. Such was his easy talent. Sanjeev Kumar was a real actor."

Awards

Film awards

Other awards

* 1969 – Naval Stars Awards, Shanoo Varun Trophy by S.M. Nanda
* 1971 – Surat Jilla Leuva Patidar Gnyati.
* 1975 – Cinegoers Council (Delhi) Film Awards
* 1976 – Lion Club of North Calcutta Actor of the year for ''Mausam''
* 1984 – Maratha Seva Sangh Dist Khed
* Best Actor (Stage) for the Gujarati play ''Koi no Ladakh Vayo''
* Kalashri Art & Network "Lifetime Achievement Millenium 2000 Award" at Surat
* 18th National Award "Bharat Puraskar" by Information & Broadcast State Minister Mrs Nandini Satapthi at Shanmukhanand Hall (Mumbai)
* Army Officers Voice Association Trophy
* Andhra Pradesh Film Journalist Award
* Chitralok Cine Serjak Award (Ahmedabad)

Government recognition

A road has been named after him in Surat, Gujarat as Sanjeev Kumar Marg, which was inaugurated by veteran actor Sunil Dutt.

A school has been named after him in his home town Surat, Gujarat, and was inaugurated by the then Mayor Kadir K. Pirzada. A postage stamp was released by India Post to honour him on 3 May 2013.

An auditorium, named Sanjeev Kumar Auditorium built by the Surat Municipal Corporation at the cost of 108cr, was opened in his home town. It was inaugurated on 14 February 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Philanthropy

The Sanjeev Kumar Foundation is a national level development organisation ( NGO) directly benefiting children and their families every year, mainly focusing on education, healthcare, environment, culture and nutrition. From 2015 onwards the foundation has also been the sponsor of the annual Sanjeev Kumar Drama Competition held by the Surat Municipal Corporation. The awards and cash prizes are given in memory of Sanjeev Kumar to the best actor, actress, director and backstage technician every year.

References

External links

*
* http://www.forbesindia.com/article/100-years-of-indian-cinema/25-greatest-acting-performances-of-indian-cinema/35125/1

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Sanjeev
1938 births
1985 deaths
Indian male film actors
Male actors in Hindi cinema
People from Surat
Gujarati actors
20th-century Indian male actors
Indian male stage actors
Best Actor National Film Award winners
Male actors from Gujarat
Filmfare Awards winners