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.

Early life

Rajendra Kumar Tuli was born in a Punjabi Hindu family in Sialkot, in the West 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 blockbuster hit Mother India in 1957 in which he played Nargis's son. His first major success as a romantic leading man was in Vijay Bhatt's musical superhit Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959), co-starring Ameeta.

The 1960s saw Rajendra Kumar rise like no other star had risen. The songs of his film in Mohammed Rafi's voice became mega hits. There were times when he had six or seven films running in their silver jubilee weeks at the same time. Rajendra Kumar was soon known as "Jubilee Kumar".

He had many successful box office hits including Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Mere Mehboob (1963), Sangam (1964), Arzoo (1965), Suraj (1966) and Ganwaar (1970).. 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). He was considered a golden boy for the movie producers as he could recover the producers' money in a matter of weeks.

However, from 1972 onwards, he faced stiff...
Read More