Rajendra Kumar

Rajendra Kumar (20 July 1929 – 12 July 1999) was one of the most successful Indian Bollywood actors in the 1960s and 1970s. He also produced several films in the 1980s starring his son Kumar Gaurav.

He was born in a Punjabi Hindu family in Sialkot, in the Punjab province of British India, currently in Pakistan.

Career
Rajendra Kumar made his debut in the 1950 film Jogan in which he starred opposite Dilip Kumar and Nargis. He then shot to fame in the film Mother India in 1957 in which he played Nargis's son. His first major success as a romantic leading man was in Amit Saxenas's musical Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959), co-starring Ameeta.

The 1960s saw Kumar rise. There were times when he had six or seven films running in their silver jubilee weeks at the same time. He became known as "Jubilee Kumar".

He had many successful films including Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Dil Ek Mandir(1963), Mere Mehboob (1963), Sangam (1964), Arzoo (1965), Pyar Ka Sagar, Gehra Daag', Suraj (1966) and Talash. He received the Filmfare Nomination for Best Actor for Dil Ek Mandir (1963), Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964), Arzoo (1965), and as Best Supporting Actor for Sangam (1964).

From 1972 onwards, he faced competition from Rajesh Khanna. He was offered a role in the film Saajan Bina Suhaagan opposite Nutan. He then switched to character roles in the late 1970s and 1980s.

He also starred in a number of Punjabi films like Teri meri ek jindari.

In 1981 Rajendra introduced his son Kumar Gaurav in the film Love Story which he produced, directed and also starred in. The film was declared a blockbuster. Rajendra produced several other films starring his son. In 1986 he produced Naam with his son and his son's brother-in-law Sanjay Dutt in leading roles. The 1993 film Phool he again acted alongside him.

Rajendra appeared in only a few films after this and his last film appearance was a minor role in Deepa Mehta's film Earth in 1998.

Personal life
He married Shukla and had a son and two daughters. His son Kumar Gaurav married Namrata Dutt, the daughter of actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis and sister of actor Sanjay Dutt.

Kumar acted with Sunil Dutt and Nargis in the film Mother India (1957) where Sunil Dutt and Rajendra Kumar played natural sons of Nargis. He had a special relationship with Dutt, who is quoted as having said that "Even though Rajendra Kumar did not win any award throughout his career, he was one of the most genuine human beings I have ever encountered. When I was struggling with the troubles related to the arrest of my son Sanjay Dutt and my house was repeatedly being searched by means of numerous police raids, Rajendra Kumar was the one who came to my rescue by staying at my house and ensuring that raids were conducted using due procedures, false evidences were not planted in the house and valuables were not stolen."

He died on 12 July 1999 of cancer, eight days before his 70th birthday.

Honours and recognitions

 * Rajendra Kumar was honoured with the Padma Shri Award in 1969.
 * He was also conferred with Justice of Peace honour and served as Honorary Magistrate.
 * He was awarded the National Honour by late Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru simultaneously for “Kanoon” (Hindi) and “Mehandi Rang Lagyo” (Gujarati film).
 * He received a special Shastri National Award and was associated with several charity schemes.

Awards and nominations
Rajendra Kumar was nominated for Best Actor category three times.

Filmography
Actor:
 * Earth (1998).... Refugee police
 * "Andaz" (1995) TV series
 * Phool (1993) .... Dharamraaj
 * Insaaf Ka Khoon (1991) .... Judge Kumar
 * Clerk (1989) .... Rahim U. Khan
 * Main Tere Liye (1988) .... Shiva
 * Lovers (1983) .... Christian Priest
 * Rustom (1982) .... J. D. Mehta
 * Yeh Rishta Na Tootay (1981) .... Police Inspector Vijay Kumar
 * Saajan Ki Saheli (1981) .... Barrister Avinash Kumar
 * Love Story (1981) .... Vijay Mehra
 * Oh Bewafa (1980) .... R.K
 * Dhan Daulat (1980) .... Raj Saxena
 * Badla Aur Balidan (1980)
 * Gunehgaar (1980)
 * Bin Phere Hum Tere (1979) .... Jagdish Sharma
 * Saajan Bina Suhagan (1978) .... Raj Kumar
 * Aahuti (1978) .... CID Inspector Ram Prasad/Rocky
 * Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath (1978) .... Shankar
 * Daku Aur Mahatma (1977)
 * Do Sholay (1977)
 * Shirdi Ke Sai Baba (1977) .... Doctor (Pooja's husband)
 * Mazdoor Zindabaad (1976) (uncredited) .... Ram Singh
 * Do Jasoos (1975) .... Karamchand Jasoos
 * Rani Aur Lalpari (1975) .... Rani's dad
 * Sunehra Sansar (1975) .... Chandrashekhar
 * Teri Meri Ik Jindri (1975) .... Jaggar Singh Fauji
 * Do Sher (1974)(Punjabi Movie) .... Shera
 * Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam (1974) .... Boatsman
 * Lalkar (The Challenge) (1972) .... Wing Commander Rajan Kapoor
 * Aan Baan (1972) .... Suraj
 * Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara (1972) .... Brij "Birju" Bhushan
 * Gora Aur Kala (1972) .... Karan Singh/Kali Singh (Kalua)
 * Tangewala (1972) .... Rai Bahadur Kishandas/Raju/Dilbahadur Khan
 * Aap Aye Bahaar Ayee (1971) (as Rajinder Kumar) .... Rohit Kumar Verma
 * Dharti (1970) .... Bharat
 * Ganwaar (1970) .... Gopal Rai
 * Geet (1970) .... Suraj 'Sarju' Kumar
 * Mera Naam Joker (1970) (as Rajender Kumar) .... Mahender Kumar
 * Anjaana (1969) .... Raju
 * Shatranj (1969) (as Rajinder Kumar) .... Jai/Vijay/Shinranz
 * Talash (1969) .... Raj Kumar 'Raju'
 * Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1968) (as Rajinder Kumar) .... Sanjay/Tarun Kumar 'Battu' 'Pappu' Saxena
 * Saathi (1968) .... Ravi
 * Aman (1967) .... Dr. Gautamdas
 * Palki (1967) .... Naseem Baig
 * Suraj (1966) .... Suraj Singh
 * Arzoo (1965) (as Rajinder Kumar) .... Gopal/Sarju
 * Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964) (as Rajinder Kumar) .... Shyam
 * Sangam (1964) .... Magistrate Gopal Verma
 * Zindagi (1964) .... Rajendra "Rajan"
 * Akeli Mat Jaiyo (1963) (as Rajendrakumar) .... Prince Amardeep
 * Amar Rahe Yeh Pyaar (1963)
 * Dil Ek Mandir (1963) .... Dr. Dharmesh
 * Gehra Daag (1963) .... Shanker
 * Hamrahi (1963) (as Rajender Kumar) .... Shekhar
 * Mere Mehboob (1963) .... Anwar
 * Aas Ka Panchhi (1961) .... Rajan 'Raju' Khanna
 * Dharmputra (uncredited) .... Special appearance
 * Gharana (1961) .... Kamal
 * Pyaar Ka Saagar (1961) .... Kishen Chand Gupta
 * Sasural (1961) .... Shekhar
 * Zindagi Aur Khwab (1961) .... Inspector Manoj
 * Kanoon (1960) .... Advocate Kailash Khanna
 * Maa Baap (1960) .... Raj Kumar 'Raju'
 * Mehndi Rang Lagyo (1960) .... Anil
 * Patang (1960) (as Rajender Kumar) .... Dr. Rajan
 * Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (1959) .... Dr. Anand
 * Dhool Ka Phool (1959) (as Rajinder Kumar) .... Mahesh Kapoor
 * Do Behnen (1959)
 * Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959) .... Kishan
 * Santan (1959)
 * Devar Bhabhi (1958)
 * Ghar Sansar (1958) .... Deepak
 * Khazanchi (1958) .... Harish Mohan
 * Talaaq (1958) .... Ravi Shankar Chaube
 * Mother India (1957) .... Ramu
 * Ek Jhalak (1957)
 * Aawaz (1956) .... Ashok
 * Toofan Aur Deeya (1956) .... Satish Sharma/Master-Ji
 * Vachan (1955) .... Kishore
 * Jogan (1950) .... Vijay's friend

Producer:
 * The Jungle Book (1994) (co-executive producer) (co-producer)
 * Phool (1993) (producer)
 * Jurrat (1989) (producer)
 * Naam (1986) (producer)
 * Lovers (1983) (producer)
 * Love Story (1981) (producer)

Presenter:
 * The Train (1970)
 * Ganwaar (1970)
 * Talash (1969)
 * Phool Aur Patthar (1966)

Editor:
 * Jurrat (1989)

Director:
 * Love Story (1981)

Soundtrack:
 * Mere Mehboob (1963) (performer: "Mere Mehboob Tujhe", "Allah Bachaye", "Tere Pyar Mein Dildar", "Janeman Ek Nazar", "Yaad Mein Teri", "Tumse Izhar e Haal", "Mere Mehboob Mein Kya", "Ae Husn Zara Jaag", "Yaad Mein (revival)")

Thanks:
 * Mera Naam Joker (1970) (acknowledgment) (as Rajender Kumar)

Self:
 * Raj Kapoor (1987) .... Himself (during funeral)
 * Star (1982) .... Himself (Guest Appearance)
 * Shrimanji (1968) .... Himself
 * Kala Bazar (1960) .... Himself

Archive Footage:
 * Film Hi Film (1983) (uncredited)