HASSLE-FREE AND SINCERE ACTOR: SANJEEV KUMAR
WRITTEN BY: RAJESH V. GAUR and RAJEEV V. GAUR
EMAIL: sunrise607@rediffmail.com
The birth anniversary of Hindi film industry’s icomic star Hari Jariwala better known as Sanjeev Kumar falls on 9th July. The Surat born Sanjeev had a strong theatre background and was first spotted playing the role of an elderly man when he was just 24 years of age. He was a simple man who cared less about the perception of other people In fact . Sanjeev Kumar arrived for many of his shoots in a kurta pyjama. Can you imagine the stars of today doing that. Many claim that he was famous as 'late latif’ Sanjeev bhai', because of his habit of coming late on the sets. However, his one take performance used to compensate for all. Sanjeev had a very distinct style of working. He never gave a retake, until he wanted to
Sanjeev and Leena Chandavarkar
Sanjeev Kumar, was first noticed through his riveting performance in Sungharsh [1968]. It is said that he even overshadowed Dilip kumar in the scenes the two shared in the film.
A thinking actor, he proved that the best location for an actor is his face and what happens on it. Sanjeev’s strength, whether in the blockbusters like Khilona , or an experimental Koshish lay in his dogged sincerity. A twitch on his face could convey more than reams of dialogues.
Be it comedy or tragedy, he could do it effortlessly. It is amazing how Sanjeev could skilfully move from a flirtatious husband in Pati Patni Aur Woh to the tearful lover in Anamika. No other actor could excel at comedy like him in Angoor. In Hindi films, the only way to express anger is to scream oneself hoarse and hurl abuses of the Kutte-Kamine variety. One has to remember Trishul when Sanjeev Kumar expresses anger through his eyes. Each time Amitabh Bachchan, (who plays Sanjeev’s illegitimate son), steals a march over him, his rage becomes palpable.
Sanjeev Kumar and Hema Malini
Naya Din Nayi Raat was Sanjeev Kumar’s magnum opus. He performed nine different roles and assayed all of them deftly. In these roles, he mixed and watched nav rasas. The feelings of comedy, humour, pathos, anger, fury, fear, valour, bravery, wonder and peace expressed by him set the screen aflame. This film earned him a permanent place in the Hall of Fame.
Sanjeev Kumar is still remembered for playing a variety of roles on the big screen. He is arguably the best mainstream actor Bollywood has seen so far. The actor played romantic, characters as well as intense roles with ease
The actor is famous for his films like 'Khilona', 'Seeta Aur Geeta', 'Koshish', 'Aandhi', 'Mausam', 'Angoor' and many others. He started his career with 'Hum Hindustani' in 1960. His journey from small budget films to the mainstream cinema is an inspiration for the young actors. His performance as a deaf and mute person in 'Koshish' or the way he played the Thakur in 'Sholay' are perhaps the best of his career Sanjeev Kumar has left behind a legacy of quality cinema.
At a time when actors were branded as a romantic hero, action hero or jumping jack, Sanjeev Kumar was one actor who was difficult to typecast. Even from latest lot of Bollywood actors, nobody can match Sanjeev Kumar's charm and acting finesse.
WRITTEN BY: RAJESH V. GAUR and RAJEEV V. GAUR
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