Sanjeev Kumar | Born to Act
Brother Stories, Ensemble Cast
Most of the actors in 50s and 60s had their career start in a multi-star cast films. Sanjeev Kumar was no exception. All his initial movies had an ensemble of cast, including bigwigs of the time, such as Dilip Kumar, Balraj Sahni and Sunil Dutt
Smuggler (1966), by Aspi Irani
Police Inspector Rajan lives with his wife, Lekha, a son, Dinkoo, and younger unmarried brother, Mohan. Rajan is a honest and diligent po...
Naunihal (1967), by Raj Marbros
The Principal of New Era High School in Panchgani finds an orphan, Raju, who had lost his parents to plague, brings him home, and enrolls...
Most of the movies at that time either had a Laat Saab (Hat donning, suited and booted urban guys) or a rural simpleton look and feel for the star-cast. Ironically ladies were always in their regular Sarees (even Nargis wore Saree in Chori Chori, a movie which is considered to be way ahead of its time)
Sanjeev Kumar usually belonged to the rural set of films. One of the biggest hits were Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke, featuring Nanda and Jeetendra along with Sanjeev Kumar
Dharti Kahe Pukarke (1968), by Dulal Guha
Kanhaiyalal plays a poor farmer living with his wife and two half brothers (played by Sanjeev Kumar and Jeetendra). Sanjeev Kumar studies...
Sunghursh (1968), by Harnam Singh Rawail
The Prasads live in Banaras circa 19th Century, and consist of Bhawani - a thug, who poses as a holy man, luring devotees and robbing the...
The Year of Acting Genius (1972)
Actual genius of the great actor became visible in 1972, when he got to work with the best of the directors from Indian cinema, including Gulzar, Hrishikesh Mukherjee and Basu Chatterjee.
Parichay, a remake of Sound of Music was an awesome rendition of Indian version of a hollywood film. Sanjeev Kumar played a wealthy music lover, who leaves everything for his love of music.
Parichay (1972), by Gulzar
In desperate need of a job, unemployed Ravi (Jeetendra) goes to his maternal uncle (A.K. Hangal) and aunt (Leela Mishra) in their village...
Kangan (1972), by K.B. Tilak
Sunil lives a middle-classed lifestyle in a village in India along with his widowed mom, Janki. He is studying Medicine in the city, is i...
Koshish, again with Gulzar was a movie on physically challenged (hearing and speaking impaired). As always, the movie is an evergreen one, which if watched today would be enjoyed with the same fervor.
Mon, May 21 2012 16:47:52
Most of Sanjeev Kumar's success had Jaya Bhaduri as the co-star and Gulzar as the director. Undoubtedly, every great director at that time wanted Sanjeev to play in their films
Naya Din Nayee Raat (1974), by A. Bhimsingh
Sushma believes that she is too young to get married, but her father, Lalla Banarsilal insists, and she runs away.
Challenging the Established
Sanjeev Kumar was always open to work in movies which were challenging the established. One such film was Manoranjan, directed by Shammi Kapoor, again a remake of Irma La Douce
Khilona (1970), by Chander Vohra
Thakur Suraj Singh lives a wealthy lifestyle with his wife; three sons - Kishore, his wife Laxmi & two children Pappu and Laali; Vijaykam...
Manoranjan, a remake of Irma la ...
Wed, May 23 2012 16:01:51
Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977), by Satyajit Ray
Wazed Ali Shah is the ruler of one of the last independent kingdoms of India. The British, intent on controlling this rich country, have ...
In 1975, Sholay happened to India. A multi-starrer including established Dharmendra and not-so-famous Amitabh Bachchan in the lead roles, Sholay was the first mega-hit of the country. The story revolves areound two brats hired by Sanjeev Kumar to revenge the atrocities of a goon (A Daaku), Gabbar Singh (played by the Amjad Khan)
Wed, May 23 2012 16:19:39
The Vocalist, the Musician, the Maestro
Sanjeev Kumar established himself as a versatile actor who could mold into any role given. As a result, he played the musician elder in many a films including Alaap and Parichay.
Alaap (1978), by Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Widowed Advocate Triloki Prasad lives a wealthy lifestyle in a small town in India with two sons, Advocate Ashok - who is married to Geet...
The Married Hero who never Married
Late 70s and early 80s was an era of marrried heroes (or the ones who looked to be in their 30s). Sanjeev Kumar, who never married in his real life, played the lead in many a movies which were around marital life. One such movie was Basu Bhattacharya's Anubhav
Tumhare Liye (1978), by Basu Chatterjee
Gauri (Vidya Sinha) and Prakash (Sanjeev Kumar) are in love and get intimate. Prakash is expected to marry Renuka (Neelam Mehra), as she ...
Griha Pravesh (1979), by Basu Bhattacharya
Amar and Mansi meet through their respective families and have an arranged marriage. Amar, a book-keeper, is very thrifty, intends to sav...
Hamare Tumhare (1979), by Umesh Mehra
Widower Jairaj Verma lives with his four sons in a small apartment. Three of his sons are in their teens, while his youngest son is aroun...
Nauker (1979), by Ismail Memon
Widower Amar is well-off financially, and lives in a house with his daughter, and servant Dayal. His sister and brother-in-law want him t...
Abdullah (1980), by Sanjay Khan
Abdullah is a devout Muslim who lives in a small hut the middle of a desert in Persia, and looks after a well so that it provides water t...
Biwi O Biwi (1981), by Rahul Rawail
Singer Chandermohan is born in a well-off family and is the only child. Since he is of marriageable age, both he and his parents want him...
Though he never reached the age of 50 in real life, Sanjeev Kumar was an apt choice for directors when it came to playing rich industrialists. Many movies followed in 80s where he played such roles.
Khud-Daar (1982), by Ravi Tandon
Hari R. Srivastav lives a middle-class life in rural India with two step-brothers, Govind and Rajesh. Circumstances compel him to get mar...
Zabardast (1985), by Nasir Hussain
Ratan Kumar lives a middle-class existence with his wife, Pushpa and son, Sunder. When he is asked to commit a crime for Balram Singh, he...
Baat Ban Jaye (1986), by Bharat Rangachary
Mr. Singh lives a wealthy lifestyle in a mansion named 'Ashiana' on 10th Road, Juhu, Bombay, with his only relative, a niece by the name ...
Hiraasat (1987), by Surendra Mohan
Assistant Commissioner of Police Ashok Saxena lives a middle-classed lifestyle along with his wife, Shobha, a former street dancer; and a...
Sanjeev Kumar was a cult in himself. Many do not know well about his movies. Those who know, swear by them.
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