Sanjeev

Kumar
Sanjeev Kumar (born Harihar Jethalal
Jariwala; 9 July 1938 – 6 November 1985)
Sanjeev Kumar
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 (1971) and Koshish
(1973). 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 Sanjeev Kumar on a 2013 stamp of India
of Tamil films into Hindi such as Khilona, Born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala[1]
Yehi Hai Zindagi, Naya Din Nai Raat, 9 July 1938
Devata, Itni Si Baat and Ram Tere Kitne Surat, Bombay Presidency, British India
Naam exemplify his talents. He also did (now in Gujarat, India)
suspense-thriller films such as Qatl, Shikar,
Died 6 November 1985 (aged 47)
Uljhan and Trishna. Kumar also proved his
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
ability to do comedy in films such as
Manchali, Pati Patni Aur Woh, Angoor, Biwi- Cause of Heart attack
O-Biwi and Hero. He is well remembered for death
his versatility and genuine portrayal of his Other names Haribhai
characters. His double role in the film Occupation Actor
Angoor was listed among the 25 best
Years active 1960–1985
acting performances of Indian cinema by
Forbes India on the occasion of celebrating 100 years of Indian Cinema.[2]
 Contents
Early life and background
Career
Personal life
Health problems and death
Awards
National Film Awards
Filmfare Awards
Other awards

Filmography
Government recognition
Philanthropy
References
External links

Early life and background

Sanjeev Kumar was born as Harihar Jethalal Jariwala (also referred to as Haribhai)[1][3] in Surat,
Gujarat, to a Gujarati family and spent his early years in Surat. His family eventually settled in
Mumbai. A stint in a film school led him to Bollywood, where he eventually became an accomplished
actor. Kumar had two younger brothers and one sister.

Career
Kumar started his acting career as a stage actor, starting with IPTA in Mumbai and later joining the
Indian National Theatre.[3] 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, Kumar again played the role of a 60-year-old with six children.[1]

Kumar 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 starred in the 1966 Gujarati film Kalapi, which was based on the poet Kalapi's life, with Kumar
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. [4] 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 Tamil film Engerindho Vandhaal, 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. Vijaya Lakshmi, 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 Naya Raat. Kumar reprised the role played by Thengai Srinivasan
i n 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 Rajkumar in the
lead. He enacted the role played by AVM Rajan in Anadhai Aanandhan, in its Hindi version Chand Aur
Bijli in 1970. Gnana Oli was remade as Devata in 1976 with Kumar 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),[5] Pati, Patni Aur Woh, Angoor (1982) and Hero (1983).

His performances in films such as Charitraheen, Angaare, Grihapravesh, Chehre Pe Chehra, Sawaal
a n d 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,[6] 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 filmsm 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.[7] 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 actress Sarika.

Health problems and death

Kumar was born with a congenital heart condition, and many members of his family had not lived past
50. After his first heart attack, he underwent a bypass in the US. 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. [1][8] 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

National Film Award for Best Actor – Won
1971 Dastak – Hamid[9]
1973 Koshish – Haricharan[9]

Filmfare Awards
Sanjeev Kumar was nominated for 14 Filmfare Awards, [10] 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.

Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Won

1976 Aandhi – J.K.
1977 Arjun Pandit – Arjun Pandit
 Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Won
1969 Shikar – Inspector Rai

Filmfare Award for Best Actor – Nominated

1971 Khilona – Vijaykamal S. Singh
1974 Koshish – Hari Charan Mathur
1976 Sholay – Thakur Baldev Singh
1977 Mausam – Dr. Amarnath Gill
1978 Yehi Hai Zindagi – Anand Narayan
1978 Zindagi – Raghu Shukla
1979 Devata – Tony/Tarun Kumar Gupta
1979 Pati Patni Aur Woh – Ranjeet Chhadha
1983 Angoor – Ashok R. Tilak

Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor – Nominated

1979 Trishul – Raj Kumar 'R.K.' Gupta
1983 Vidhaata – Abu Baba

Other awards

1974 – BFJA Best Actor for Koshish[11][12]

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)

Filmography

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.[13]

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.[14] He is the first and only (as of 2014) Indian film actor to have
an auditorium named after him.
Philanthropy
The Sanjeev Kumar Foundation [15] 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. "Salt-and-pepper memories with Sanjeev Kumar" (https://web.archive.org/web/20130815011536/http://www.h
industantimes.com/editorial-views-on/ColumnsOthers/Salt-and-pepper-memories-with-Sanjeev-Kumar/Article
1-954727.aspx). Hindustan Times. 4 November 2012. Archived from the original (http://www.hindustantimes.
com/editorial-views-on/ColumnsOthers/Salt-and-pepper-memories-with-Sanjeev-Kumar/Article1-954727.aspx
) on 15 August 2013. Retrieved 12 August 2013.
2. Sanjeev Kumar: Movies, Photos, Videos, News & Biography | eTimes (https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/t
opic/Sanjeev-Kumar). Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (1938-07-09). Retrieved on 2018-11-08.
3. "He was an actor for all seasons" (http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000813/spectrum/main3.htm). The
Sunday Tribune. 13 August 2000. Retrieved 2013-08-12.
4. K. Moti Gokulsing; Wimal Dissanayake (17 April 2013). Routledge Handbook of Indian Cinemas (https://boo
ks.google.com/books?id=djUFmlFbzFkC&pg=PA94). Routledge. p. 94. ISBN 978-1-136-77284-9. Retrieved
21 April 2017.
5. Buy BIWI O BIWI DVD online (http://www.webmallindia.com/buy-dvd-online-movie-biwi-o-biwi-p-105.html).
Webmallindia.com. Retrieved on 2018-11-08.
6. Satyajit Ray (1989). Andrew Robinson, ed. The Chess Players: And Other Screenplays (http://www.columbi
a.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett/01glossaries/bulpip/shatranjkekhilari_engfilmscript.pdf) (PDF). Faber. ISBN 978-0-
5711-4074-9.
7. "Whatever happened to....... Sulakshana Pandit" (https://web.archive.org/web/20071015075824/http://downlo
ads.movies.indiatimes.com/site/aug2002/ivw9.html). Filmfare. Archived from the original (http://downloads.
movies.indiatimes.com/site/aug2002/ivw9.html) on 15 October 2007.
8. "Sanjeev Kumar" (http://www.upperstall.com/people/sanjeev-kumar). upperstall.com.
9. "20th National Awards For Films (1971)" (https://web.archive.org/web/20110721170649/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff20
11/Frm20thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=20NFA.pdf) (PDF). dff.nic.in. Directorate of Film Festivals. p. 41.
Archived from the original (http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm20thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=20NFA.pdf) (PDF) on
21 July 2011.
10. "Sanjeev Kumar Awards" (https://web.archive.org/web/20070930211635/http://indiafm.com/celebrities/award
s/11035/index.html). Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original (http://indiafm.com/celebrities/awards/1
1035/index.html) on 30 September 2007.
11. "BFJA Awards" (https://web.archive.org/web/20090712042327/http://www.bfjaawards.com/archives/pictures/
index26.htm). BFJA Awards. Archived from the original (http://www.bfjaawards.com/archives/pictures/index2
6.htm) on 12 July 2009.
12. "BFJA Awards" (https://web.archive.org/web/20100109013438/http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/19
12. "BFJA Awards" (https://web.archive.org/web/20100109013438/http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/19
7437.htm). BFJA Awards. Archived from the original (http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/197437.htm
) on 9 January 2010.
13. "India Post | Philately | Stamps | Stamps 2013:" (https://web.archive.org/web/20140726165015/http://www.in
diapost.gov.in/Stamps2013.aspx). Archived from the original (http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Stamps2013.aspx)
on 26 July 2014. Retrieved 18 July 2014.
14. "Gujarat remembers its proud son, versatile actor Sanjeev Kumar by inaugurating a grand auditorium in his
honour" (http://www.narendramodi.in/sanjeev-kumar-auditorium-in-surat/). narendramodi.in. Retrieved 18 July
2014.
15. "Sanjeev Kumar Foundation" (https://web.archive.org/web/20171111225100/http://www.sanjeevkumarfounda
tion.com/). Archived from the original (http://www.sanjeevkumarfoundation.com/) on 11 November 2017.
Retrieved 12 August 2018.

External links
Sanjeev Kumar (https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0474876/) on IMDb
http://www.forbesindia.com/article/100-years-of-indian-cinema/25-greatest-acting-performances-of-indian-
cinema/35125/1

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