Born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala on July 9, 1938, in Surat, Gujarat, the man known to the world as Sanjeev Kumar remains a legendary figure in Indian acting. His journey in the performing arts began on the stages of Mumbai with groups like IPTA and the Indian National Theatre, where he honed his craft. Friends and admirers often affectionately referred to him as Haribhai.
Mastering Roles Beyond His Years
The depth of Sanjeev Kumar’s talent was evident early on. At the age of just 22, he portrayed an elderly father in Arthur Miller’s play All My Sons. This unique ability to embody age was further showcased in the play Damru, directed by AK Hangal, where he played a 60-year-old character. Upon entering the film industry, he changed his name from Sanjay Kumar to Sanjeev Kumar on the advice of director Aspi Irani to avoid confusion with the emerging actor Sanjay Khan.
Professionalism and Humility
Starting his cinematic journey with a small role in the 1960 film Hum Hindustani, Sanjeev Kumar quickly rose to challenge established stars through his effortless acting. He held his mentors in high regard. A famous anecdote from the set of Aandhi (1975) captures his humility, where he felt uncomfortable watching his mentor, the senior artist AK Hangal, pick up his coat for a scene. Hangal had to remind him that in front of the camera, an actor is solely accountable to their character, not to real-life hierarchies.
A Versatile Range of Characters
Sanjeev Kumar breathed life into characters that have become cinematic benchmarks. In the film Naya Din Nayi Raat (1974), he performed the incredible feat of playing nine distinct characters, each representing different human emotions. Meanwhile, his performance as Thakur Baldev Singh in Sholay (1975) cemented his place in history. He also mastered the portrayal of silent characters, capturing their inner anguish with profound sensitivity.
Accolades and Recognition
His contributions were widely celebrated. In 1968, he won the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor for Shikar. The film Khilona (1970) brought him nationwide recognition. He received the National Film Award for Best Actor for his roles in Dastak (1971) and Koshish (1973). He also secured Filmfare Best Actor awards for Aandhi (1975) and Arjun Pandit (1976). Critics widely regarded his dual comedic performance in Angoor (1982) as one of the finest displays of humor in cinema.
The Pain of Personal Life
The personal life of Sanjeev Kumar remained an unfinished and painful story. During the filming of Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) in Mahabaleshwar, a trolley accident brought him and Hema Malini close. While his mother, Shantasharan, approved of the alliance, the relationship fell through because Sanjeev Kumar maintained a traditional demand that Hema stop working after marriage, which her mother rejected. Later, Sulakshana Pandit proposed to him, but he declined, feeling a premonition of his own early death and not wishing to ruin her life.
A Lasting Legacy
Sanjeev Kumar passed away on November 6, 1985. To honor his contribution to the arts, a sprawling Sanjeev Kumar Auditorium was constructed in his hometown of Surat at a cost of 108 crore rupees. In 2013, the Government of India issued a commemorative stamp in his honor, ensuring his legacy lives on for future generations.
