Rajendra Kumar

                         Profile

Born            :-  20 July 1929, Sialkot, Pakistan
Occupation   :-  Actor, Producer, Director
Died       :-  12 July 1999 (aged 69), Mumbai, Maharashtra
Years active     :- 1950–1998

Spouse(s)      :-   Shukla 

Children         :-   2 Daughters and son Kumar Gaurav

Introduction and life

Rajendra Kumar was one of the most successful IndianBollywood 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.

Rajendra Kumar

He married Shukla and had a son and two daughters. His son Kumar Gaurav married Namrata Dutt, the daughter of actors Sunil Duttand 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.

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).

Rajendra kumar in movie 'Suraj' released in 1966 

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.