Rajendra Kumar

Rajendra Kumar Biography

Rajendra Kumar can be counted one among that rare category of talented actors who has given numerous jubilee hits to the industry, yet has failed to receive at least one award. Yes, Rajendra Kumar is fondly known as ‘Jubilee Kumar of Bollywood’ whose majority of movies have celebrated silver jubilee – a very rare resignation. There was an era in Hindi film industry when his 6 or 7 films run simultaneously in full packed houses and celebrating silver jubilee. He was one among the hot actors of industry during 60’s and also one among those heroes, whose popularly faded during early 70’s with the rise of the first superstar of Indian film history, ‘Rajesh Khanna’! Rajendra  Kumar has acted in Gujarathi movies as well as Punjabi, yet he was known most as a successful Bollywood actor. This actor as a whole was a phenomenon, who has inspired many generations and will remain so, in the history of Hindi cinema. If a biopic of Bollywood is made, no doubt, his name will be there in golden letters as ‘Jubilee Kumar of Bollywood’.

He debuted in 1950 in Raj Kumar – Nargis starrer Jogan. He has done Vachan and Diya aur Toofan as leading hero. Yet it was Oscar nominated movie – Mother India that gave him critical acclimation and helped him to establish as a successful actor of Bollywood. Success of Ghoonj ude shahnai opposite Amita placed him as a solo star of Hindi cinema. Then Bollywood history witnessed a series of Jubilee hits with Rajendra Kumar in the leading role. List is many – Dhool ka phool (with negative shades), Juk Gaya Asman, Saathi, Mere mehboob, Dil ek mandir, Arzoo, Sasural, Kharana,  Gahre daag, Aaye Milan ki bela, Sangam, Talaash, Suraj, Pyar ka sagar, Patang, Kanoon, Hamrahi, Zindagi, Palki, Satrang, Anjana and Gora aur kala.

We have seen him as a great romantic actor in the movies Mere Mehboob, Arzoo, Dil ek mandir and Sangham. Though Sangham is a triangular love story with Raj Kapoor in the leading role, Rajendra Kumar with his own distinct style of acting got appreciation very much. Same is the case of another triangular love story Arzoo. In most movies, we have seen him as a silent and patient actor who is willing to sacrifice his love for the benefits of others, who gets ladies’ attention first. In rare scenes only, we have seen him jumping and shouting. It’s very apt to rename him as ‘Jubilee Kumar’, because it’s not an easy task for even a megastar of present Bollywood to generate Jubilee hits one after another, without any flop stories in between!

He has worked with almost all leading actresses that time. But his romantic pairing with Sadhana was noted most. He has been nominated thrice in Filmfare for best actor though he couldn’t win it.

Published: N/A

Updated: May 20, 2018