Rajendra Nath, also known as Rajendra Nath Malhotra, was an eminent Indian film actor who was prominent as a comedian. Apart from Hindi, he had also worked in Punjabi and Nepalese films. He was one of the most celebrated comedians of the Hindi film industry. His career included about 187 movies.
Early Life of Rajendra Nath
Rajendra Nath was born in the year 1931. His family belonged to Karimpura locality of Peshawar but later settled in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. He attended Darbar College, Rewa. Congress politician Arjun Singh was his classmate. After his elder brother Prem Nath moved to Mumbai to pursue a career in acting, Rajendra Nath joined him in the year 1949 leaving behind his studies. Both the brothers were good friends of Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor. He had another brother Narendra Nath who was also an actor famous for villainous roles. Rajendra Nath also performed in some plays at Prithvi Theatre including Shakuntala and Pathan. It was during this phase that he developed close terms with Shammi Kapoor.
Career of Rajendra Nath
In the initial phase of his career Rajendra Nath had to struggle much for getting roles and after a while he was offered a comic role by Sashadhar Mukherjee in his film Dil Deke Dekho under the direction of Nasir Hussain. The film also starred Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh. Rajendra Nath worked alongside Asha Parekh in many of the flicks of Nasir Hussain like Pyar Ka Mausam, Baharon Ke Sapne, Teesri Manzil, Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon etc. In the movie Hamrahi he essayed a villainous role opposite Shashikala. His best comic roles were featured in the films Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoo and Mere Sanam. He portrayed second lead in Teen Bahuraniyan and Vachan whereas in Jeevan Mrityu and Dharkan he appeared in supporting roles. In the movie Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai he played the role of a buffoon called Popatlal and since then the name became synonymous with the actor. He also used the same name in the television serial Hum Paanch in which he acted.
Rajendra Nath featured in a number of successful films mostly in comic roles including An Evening in Paris. Manoj Kumar"s Purab Aur Paschim marked one of his acclaimed performances although he did not appear in a full fledged comedy role in the movie. He was also a part of the third movie of Nepal titled Maitighar, shot in Kathmandu. He was also seen in many Punjabi films like Jatt Punjabi.
Death of Rajendra Nath
Rajendra Nath died of a cardiac arrest on 13th February 2008.
