Sanjeev Kumar

Sanjeev Kumar (born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala;[2] 9 July 1938 – 6 November 1985[2]) was an Indian film actor. He won several major awards including two National Film Awards for Best Actor for his performances in the movies Dastak (1970) and Koshish (1972). He acted in genres ranging from romantic dramas to thrillers. Kumar did not mind playing roles that were non-glamorous, such as characters well beyond his age. Movies such as Arjun Pandit, Sholay and Trishul, along with the remakes of Tamil films into Hindi such as Khilona, Yehi Hai Zindagi, Naya Din Nai Raat, Devata, Itni Si Baat and Ram Tere Kitne Naam exemplify his talents. He also did suspense-thriller films such as Qatl, Shikar, Uljhan and Trishna. Kumar also proved his ability to do comedy in films such as Manchali, Pati Patni Aur Woh, Angoor, Biwi-O-Biwi and Hero. He is well remembered for his versatility and genuine portrayal of his characters. 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.[2]

This article is about the Indian actor. For other people with the same name, see Sanjiv Kumar.

Sanjeev Kumar
Sanjeev Kumar on a 2013 stamp of India
Born
Harihar Jethalal Jariwala

(1938-07-09)9 July 1938[1]
Surat, Bombay Presidency, British India (present-day Gujarat, India)
Died6 November 1985(1985-11-06) (aged 48)
Bombay, Maharashtra, India (present-day Mumbai)
Other namesHaribhai
OccupationActor
Years active1960–1985

Early life and background

Sanjeev Kumar was born as Harihar Jethalal Jariwala (also referred to as Haribhai)[3][4] on 9 July 1938[5] in Surat to a Gujarati family and came to Mumbai 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 that Indian Cinema has ever produced. Kumar had two younger brothers and one sister.

Career
Main article: Sanjeev Kumar filmography

Kumar started his acting career as a stage actor, starting with IPTA in Bombay and later joining the Indian National Theatre.[4] 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 AK Hangal, he again played the role of a 60-year-old with six children.[3]

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 titular role, Padmarani playing the role of his wife, Rama, and Aruna Irani as the love interest. The film was directed by Manhar Raskapur.[6] 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 javu pele paar 1968, brought Kumar national recognition. In 1972, he played in an Indo-Iranian film, Subah aur Shaam. This was when the director Gulzar first spotted him. Later he cast Kumar in the roles of older men in 4 films Parichay, Koshish (1973), Aandhi (1975) and Mausam (1975). Gulzar cast 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, Rivaaz, Zindagi, Beraham, Archana and Do Ladkiyan opposite Mala Sinha. He did Priya, Anubhav, Gustaaki Maaf, Bachpan and Khud-Daar with Tanuja. He was paired with Rakhee 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 Moushmi 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 which elevated him to a great actor. The film 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 in the film Shaandaar in 1974 which was a remake of Kasturi Nivasa which had Kannada actor Dr. Rajkumar in the lead. He enacted the role played by AVM Rajan in Anadhai Aanandhan, in its Hindi version Chanda Aur Bijli in 1970. Gnana Oli was remade as Devata in 1976 with he reprising the role originally paid by Sivaji Ganesan. He also acted in the Telugu remake of Swargam Narakam, as Swarg Narak (1978). Though the film Suraag was a hit, during the mid-1980s, Northern Indian producers and directors cast Sanjeev Kumar primarily in supporting roles in films like Khudaar, Sawaal, Zabardast, Hero, and Silsila. However southern Indian directors cast him in lead roles even in the period 1980 to 1985. 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.

Sanjeev Kumar's excellent comic timing entertained audiences in films such as Seeta Aur Geeta, Biwi O Biwi (1981),[7] Pati, Patni Aur Woh, Angoor (1982) and Hero (1983).

His performances in films such as Charitraheen, Angaare, Grihapravesh, Chehre Pe Chehra, Sawaal and Yaadgaar, though they became-box office flops, were appreciated by critics and during their subsequent screening on television. Kumar always demonstrated a willingness to take on unconventional roles that challenged him as an actor. His role as Mirza Sajjad Ali,[8] 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, released in August 1975, was one of his stellar performances. In Naya Din Nayi Raat (1974), Sanjeev Kumar reprised the nine-role epic performance by Sivaji Ganesan in Navarathri (Tamil; 1964), which was also previously reprised by Akkineni Nageswara Rao in Navarathri (Telugu; 1966). 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 Bandhan and Aap Ki Kasam; Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor in the Yash Chopra multi-star cast film Trishul (1978) and Dilip kumar in the film '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 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 even after he suffered his first heart attack in 1976. Later an actress Sulakshana Pandit started liking him and proposed for marriage, but both of them remained unmarried.[9] Kumar refused to marry her, as a result of which Sulakshana vowed to never marry anyone.

His closest friends from the film industry were Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini, Shashi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore, Tanuja, Deven Varma, Sivaji Ganesan and B. Nagi Reddy. Among his juniors he was a very good friend of actor, producer, and director Sachin Pilgaonkar and actor Sarika.

Health problems and death

After his first heart attack, he underwent a bypass in the US. However, on 6 November 1985, at the age of 48, 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.[3][10] Although he was an actor who had played many elderly roles, he died before he reached 50 years of age.

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.

Awards

National Film Awards

Filmfare Awards

Sanjeev Kumar was nominated for 14 Filmfare Awards,[12] thrice as Best Supporting Actor and the remaining as Best Actor. He won the awards twice as Best Actor and once as Best Supporting Actor, as shown below.

Other awards
  • 1974 – BFJA Best Actor for Koshish[13][14]
  • 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 Mousam
  • 1984 – Maratha Seva Sangh Dist Khed
  • Award for best actor (stage) for the Gujarati play Koi no Ladakh Vayo
  • Uttar Pradesh film Patraka Sangh
  • 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 (Ahemdabad)

Government recognition

A road has been named after him in Surat, Gujarat as Sanjeev Kumar Marg, which was inaugurated by 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 bearing his likeness was released by India Post to honour him on 3 May 2013.[15]

An auditorium was opened in his home town Surat by the Gujarat State at the cost of 108cr, named Sanjeev Kumar Auditorium, which was inaugurated on 14 February 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was then the CM of Gujarat.[16]

Philanthropy

The Sanjeev Kumar Foundation[17] 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.

Sanjeev Kumar Academy of Arts & Performance (SKAAP) has tied up with Surat Municipal Corporation Gujarat. They have started the academy for visual arts and performance in an area of approximately 70,000 square feet, giving a chance for students to learn and develop their skills, the deserving students will be given scholarship. In the near future they will be tying up with international academy's for student exchange program.

References
  1. "Remembering Sanjeev Kumar, the 'Thakur' of Indian cinema". 6 November 2017. Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  2. Sanjeev Kumar: Movies, Photos, Videos, News & Biography | eTimes Archived 28 May 2018 at the Wayback Machine. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (1938-07-09). Retrieved on 2018-11-08.
  3. "Salt-and-pepper memories with Sanjeev Kumar". Hindustan Times. 4 November 2012. Archived from the original on 15 August 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  4. "He was an actor for all seasons". The Sunday Tribune. 13 August 2000. Archived from the original on 3 March 2018. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
  5. "Remembering Sanjeev Kumar, the 'Thakur' of Indian cinema". Archived from the original on 2 January 2020. Retrieved 2 January 2020.
  6. K. Moti Gokulsing; Wimal Dissanayake (17 April 2013). Routledge Handbook of Indian Cinemas. Routledge. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-136-77284-9. Archived from the original on 12 April 2017. Retrieved 21 April 2017.
  7. Buy BIWI O BIWI DVD online Archived 17 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Webmallindia.com. Retrieved on 2018-11-08.
  8. Satyajit Ray (1989). Andrew Robinson (ed.). The Chess Players: And Other Screenplays. Faber. ISBN 978-0-5711-4074-9.
  9. "Whatever happened to....... Sulakshana Pandit". Filmfare. Archived from the original on 15 October 2007.
  10. "Sanjeev Kumar". upperstall.com. Archived from the original on 27 May 2010. Retrieved 14 August 2010.
  11. "20th National Awards For Films (1971)" (PDF). dff.nic.in. Directorate of Film Festivals. p. 41. Archived from the original (PDF) on 21 July 2011.
  12. "Sanjeev Kumar Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.
  13. "BFJA Awards". BFJA Awards. Archived from the original on 12 July 2009.
  14. "BFJA Awards". BFJA Awards. Archived from the original on 9 January 2010.
  15. "India Post | Philately | Stamps | Stamps 2013". Archived from the original on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  16. "Gujarat remembers its proud son, versatile actor Sanjeev Kumar by inaugurating a grand auditorium in his honour". narendramodi.in. Archived from the original on 25 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
  17. "Sanjeev Kumar Foundation". Archived from the original on 11 November 2017. Retrieved 12 August 2018.
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