Rajendra Kumar (b. 1929)

60s Hindi film star, esp. in musical romances. Born R.K. Tuli in Sialkot, West Punjab. Film début as assistant to director H.S. Rawail and played a small role in his Patanga. Introduced by Kidar Sharma in Jogan, followed by a leading part in Awaaz; first major starring role in the V. Shantaram production Toofan Aur Diya. Early films capitalised on his resemblance to Dilip Kumar. In his early films, he is remembered as the straight man who throws into relief the histrionics of the other actors: e.g. Mala Sinha as the betrayed woman in Dhool Ka Phool; the rebellious Sunil Dutt contesting familial authority along with feudal oppression in Mother India; Ashok Kumar as the court judge suspected of murder in Kanoon; the other man in the Raj Kapoor love triangle, Sangam; the doctor who treats the cancer-affected husband (Raaj Kumar) of his former lover Meena Kumari in Sridhar’s Dil Ek Mandir. However, his musicals in the 60s were more popular and he was often called ‘the Jubilee hero’ because his films would have a ‘jubilee’ run. In the 80s he launched his son Kumar Gaurav, effectively directing his début feature, Love Story (1981).

FILMOGRAPHY: 1949: Patanga; 1950: Jogan; 1955: Vachan; 1956: Awaaz; Toofan Aur Diya; 1957: Duniya Rang Rangili; Mother India; Ek Jhalak; 1958: Devar Bhabhi; Ghar Sansar; Khazanchi; Talaaq; 1959: Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan; Do Behnen; Dhool Ka Phool; Goonj Uthi Shehnai; Santan; 1960: Kanoon; Maa Baap; Patang; Mehndi Rang Lagyo; 1961: Aas Ka Panchhi; Amar Rahe Yeh Pyar; Gharana; Pyar Ka Sagar; Sasural; Zindagi Aur Khwab; 1963: Akeli Mat Jaiyo; Dil Ek Mandir; Gehra Daag; Hamrahi; Mere Mehboob; 1964: Aayi Milan Ki Bela; Sangam; Zindagi; 1965: Arzoo; 1966: Suraj; 1967: Aman; Palki; 1968: Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan; Saathi; 1969: Anjaana; Shatranj; Talash; 1970: Dharti; Ganwaar; Geet; Mera Naam Joker; 1971: Aap Aye Bahar Ayi; 1972: Aan Baan; Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara; Gora Aur Kala; Lalkaar; Tangewala; 1975: Do Jasoos; Rani Aur Lalpari; Sunehra Sansar; 1976: Mazdoor Zindabad; 1977: Shirdi Ke Sai Baba; Daku Aur Mahatma; Do Sholay; 1978: Ahuti; Saajan Bina Suhagan; Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath; 1979: Bin Phere Hum Tere; 1980: Badla Aur Balidan; Dhan Daulat; O Bewafa; Gunehgaar; Saajan Ki Saheli; 1981: Love Story; Yeh Rishta Na Toote; 1982: Rustom; 1983: Lovers; 1988: Main Tere Liye; 1989: Clerk; 1993: Phool.

Actor