The contribution of Sanjeev Kumar to the
Indian Cinema has been huge. Born as Harihar Jariwala he ruled the Indian film industry with his unconventional roles in the Hindi cinema. For him it did not ever matter whether he was playing the lead or he was a fifty year old man, he just needed a good role. He was one of those rare actors like
Balraj Sahni who rewrote the principles of acting. So while he romanced
Hema Malini in
Seeta Aur Geeta, Sanjeev Kumar was also the father of
Amitabh Bachchan and
Shashi Kapoor in Trishul.
Sanjeev Kumar`s first film was Hum Hindustani (1960) in which he was part of a huge star cast. His first film as the lead man was Nishana (1965). It was, however, Sangharsh (1968) where he was cast against
Dilip Kumar. Some critics often opine in the scenes where he shares the screen space with
Dilip Kumar Sanjeev Kapoor outdoes the former. In 1970 Khilona with Mumtaz established him as one of the greatest stars in Bollywood. Sanjeev Kapoor enacted the role of a mentally handicapped man by prostitute who is hired to look after him. He was awe inspiring in the same year in Dastak opposite Rehana Sultan`s National Award winning performance. It also fetched him his first National Award as Best Actor.
Sanjeev Kapoor would opt for the most unconventional roles and leave an indelible mark on the minds of the masses. Who could ever forget the character of Thakur in
Sholay. While the Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra romanced the heroines and sung songs he was the 50 year old man who had lost his family but not the will power to avenge the ruthless killing of his family members. In Sholay Sanjeev Kapoor`s character was the main link in the plot.
Sanjeev Kumar also established himself as the hero with Indian movies like Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) and Manchali (1973). On the other hand Parichay (1972) and Koshish (1972) once again brought home the
National Awards. In Gulzar`s
Koshish Sanjeev Kumar shares the screen space with
Jaya Bachchan and both play the role of deaf and mute people. He went onto team up with
Gulzar and delivered superb performances in films like Aandhi (1975), Mausam (1975), Angoor (1981) and Namkeen (1982). Sanjeev Kapoor is unforgettable in such roles.
Sanjeev Kumar`s voice did not have a reverberating sound but he was amazing in the way he did the voice modulations. He has a brilliant control over his voice and expressions. His versatility is indisputable. It was for nothing that Satyajit Ray cast him as Mirza in Shatranj ke Khiladi (1977). When Lucknow was being overpowered by the British this nobleman and his friend Mir (Saeed Jaffrrey) was busy playing chess. The film was based on a short story by Premchand in Hindi. It was a huge loss for the Indian film industry when Sanjeev Kumar breathed his last in 1985 because of heart ailment.
Sanjeev Kumar bagged several awards for his mind-blowing performances. These are:
National Film Awards
1971 - National Film Awards for Best Actor for Dastak
1973 - National Film Awards for Best Actor for Koshish
Filmfare Awards
1968 - Best Actor in a supporting role for Shikar
1975 - Best Actor for Aandhi
1976 - Best Actor for Arjun Pandit
Other Awards
1974 - BFJA Best Actor for Koshish
A filmography of Sanjeev Kumar will include the following films:
| Professor Ki Padosan (1993) |
Vidhaata (1982) |
Swarg Narak (1978) |
Archana (1974) |
Insaan Aur Shaitan (1970) |
| Oonch Neech Beech (1989) |
Silsila (1981) |
Trishul (1978) |
Charitraheen (1974) |
Khilona (1970) |
| Namumkin (1988) |
Daasi (1981) |
Tumhare Liye (1978) |
Chowkidar (1974) |
Maa Ka Aanchal (1970) |
| Do Waqt Ki Roti (1988) |
Itni Si Baat (1981) |
Mukti (1977) |
Dawat (1974) |
Priya (1970) |
| Rahi (1987) |
Biwi-O-Biwi (1981) |
Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977) |
Imaan (1974) |
Chanda Aur Bijli (1969) |
| Love and God (1986) |
Chehre Pe Chehra (1981) |
Yehi Hai Zindagi (1977) |
Manoranjan (1974) |
Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke (1969) |
| Kaanch Ki Deewar (1986) |
Ladies Tailor (1981) |
Imaan Dharam (1977) |
Naya Din Nai Raat (1974) |
Gustakhi Maaf (1969) |
| Baat Ban Jaye (1986) |
Waqt Ki Deewar (1981) |
Angaare (1977) |
Shandaar (1974) |
Insaaf Ka Mandir (1969) |
| Haathon Ki Lakeeren (1986) |
Hum Paanch (1980) |
Apnapan (1977) |
Agni Rekha (1973) |
Jyoti (1969) |
| Qatl (1986 |
Abdullah (1980) |
Dhoop Chhaon (1977) |
Anamika (1973) |
Sachaai (1969) |
| Ram Tere Kitne Nam (1985) |
Be-Reham (1980) |
Dil Aur Patthar (1977) |
Anhonee (1973) |
Satyakam (1969) |
| Zabardast (1985) |
Fauji Chacha (1980) |
Paapi (1977) |
Door Nahin Manzil (1973) |
Aashirwad (1968) |
| Bad Aur Badnaam (1984) |
Patthar Se Takkar (1980) |
Vishwasghaat (1977) |
Manchali (1973) |
Anokhi Raat (1968) |
| Lakhon Ki Baat (1984) |
Swayamvar (1980) |
Zindagi (1976) |
Suraj Aur Chanda (1973) |
Gauri (1968) |
| Pakhandi (1984) |
Takkar (1980) |
Arjun Pandit (1976) |
Koshish (1972) |
Raja Aur Runk (1968) |
| Yaadgaar (1984) |
Kaala Patthar (1979) |
Do Ladkiyan (1976) |
Rivaaj (1972) |
Shikar (1968) |
| Hero (1983) |
Griha Pravesh (1979) |
Mausam (1975) |
Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) |
Sunghursh (1968) |
| Suraag (1982) |
Bombay by Nite (1979) |
Faraar (1975) |
Subah-o-Shyam (1972) |
Gunehgar (1967) |
| Haathkadi (1982) |
Ghar Ki Laaj (1979) |
Sholay (1975) |
Anubhav (1971) |
Naunihaal (1967) |
| Angoor (1982) |
Hamare Tumhare (1979) |
Aakraman (1975) |
Ek Paheli (1971) |
Badal (1966) |
| Ayaash (1982) |
Jaani Dushman (1979) |
Aandhi (1975) |
Kangan (1971) |
Husn Aur Ishq (1966) |
| Khud-Daar (1982) |
Maan Apmaan (1979) |
Apne Dushman (1975) |
Man Mandir (1971) |
Kalapi (1966) |
| Log Kya Kahenge (1982) |
Nauker (1979) |
Apne Rang Hazaar (1975) |
Paras (1971) |
Pati Patni (1966) |
| Namkeen (1982) |
Devata (1978) |
Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty (1975) |
Bachpan (1970) |
Smuggler (1966) |
| Sawaal (1982) |
Muqaddar (1978) |
Uljhan (1975) |
Dastak (1970) |
Nishan (1965) |
| Shriman Shrimati (1982) |
Pati Patni Aur Woh (1978) |
Kunwara Baap (1974) |
Devi (1970) |
Hum Hindustani (1960) |
| Sindoor Bane Jwala (1982) |
Sawan Ke Geet (1978) |
Aap Ki Kasam (1974) |
Gunah Aur Kanoon (1970) |
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