Rajendra Kumar was an Indian movie actor, who acted in umpteen numbers of successful Hindi movies. He was one of the most successful actors during the period of 1960s and 1970s. He also produced several films in the 1980s, where his son Kumar Gaurav appeared as the lead.
Career of Rajendra Kumar
Rajendra Kumar started his film career in the year 1950 with the movie "Jogan" opposite Dilip Kumar and Nargis. He came into limelight with the success of the blockbuster hit "Mother India" in 1957 where both Sunil Dutt and Rajendra Kumar played the role of Nargis" sons. His first chief success as a romantic protagonist was in Vijay Bhatt"s musical super hit "Goonj Uthi Shehnai" (1959) opposite Ameeta.
In 1960s, Rajendra Kumar was titled as "Jubilee Kumar" as every film starring him was a silver jubilee hit. However, the mid-1970s did not turn out to be profitable for Rajendra Kumar. It was the darkest phase in his career as he mentioned in an interview. However, after a while, he was offered an interesting role in the film "Saajan Bina Suhaagan", co-starring Nutan. The film was a huge hit of 1978. He then switched from leading roles and started to play character roles in the late 1970s and 1980s.
In 1981, Rajendra introduced his son Kumar Gaurav in the film "Love Story". He himself was the producer, director of this film and also acted in it. The film was a blockbuster hit of 1981. Rajendra appeared in few films after this and his last film appearance was a minor role in Deepa Mehta"s film "Earth" in 1998.
Achievements of Rajendra Kumar
In 1969, Rajendra Kumar was honoured with the Padma Shri Award. He was also honoured with the Justice of Peace honour and served as Honorary Magistrate. The National Honour by late Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru simultaneously for "Kanoon" (Hindi) and "Mehandi Rang Lagyo" (Gujarati) were awarded to Rajendra Kumar. He received a special Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award that was associated with several charity shows.
Filmography of Rajendra Kumar
The filmography of Rajendra Kumar as an Actor is as follows:
•Patanga (1949)
•Jogan (1950)
•Vachan (1955)
•Toofan Aur Deeya (1956)
•Aawaz (1956)
•Mother India (1957)
•Ek Jhalak (1957)
•Duniya Rang Rangili (1957)
•Devar Bhabhi (1958)
•Ghar Sansar (1958)
•Khazanchi (1958)
•Talaaq (1958)
•Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (1959)
•Dhool Ka Phool (1959)
•Do Behnen (1959)
•Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959)
•Santan (1959)
•Kanoon (1960)
•Maa Baap (1960)
•Mehndi Rang Lagyo (1960)
•Patang (1960)
•Aas Ka Panchhi (1961)
•Dharmputra (1961)
•Amar Rahe Yeh Pyar (1961)
•Gharana (1961)
•Pyaar Ka Saagar (1961)
•Zindagi aur Khwab (1961)
•Sasural (1961)
•Sanjog (1961)
•Akeli Mat Jaiyo (1963)
•Dil Ek Mandir (1963)
•Gehra Daag (1963)
•Hamrahi (1963)
•Mere Mehboob (1963)
•Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964)
•Sangam (1964)
•Zindagi (1964)
•Arzoo (1965)
•Suraj (1966)
•Palki (1967)
•Aman (1967)
•Saathi (1968)
•Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1968)
•Anjaana (1969)
•Shatranj (1969)
•Talash (1969)
•Mera Naam Joker (1970)
•Geet (1970)
•Ganwaar (1970)
•Dharti (1970)
•Aap Aye Bahaar Ayee (1971)
•Tangewala (1972)
•Gora Aur Kala (1972)
•Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara (1972)
•Aan Baan (1972)
•Lalkaar (1972)
•Dukh Bhanjan Tera Naam (1974)
•Do Sher (1974)
•Do Jasoos (1975)
•Rani Aur Lalpari (1975)
•Sunehra Sansar (1975)
•Teri Meri Ik Jindri (1975)
•Mazdoor Zindabaad (1976)
•Daku Aur Mahatma (1977)
•Do Sholay (1977)
•Shirdi Ke Sai Baba (1977)
•Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath (1978)
•Aahuti (1978)
•Saajan Bina Suhagan (1978)
•Bin Phere Hum Tere (1979)
•Gunehgaar (1980)
•Badla Aur Balidan (1980)
•Dhan Daulat (1980)
•Oh Bewafa (1980)
•Yeh Rishta Na Tootay (1981)
•Saajan Ki Saheli (1981)
•Love Story (1981)
•Rustom (1982)
•Lovers (1983)
•Main Tere Liye (1988)
•Clerk (1989)
•Insaaf Ka Khoon (1991)
•Phool (1993)
The filmography of Rajendra Kumar as a Producer is as follows:
•Love Story (1981)
•Lovers (1983)
•Naam (1986)
•Jurrat (1991)
•Phool (1993)
•The Jungle Book (1994)
The filmography of Rajendra Kumar in Television is as follows:
•Andaz (1995)
•Vansh (1995)
Personal Life of Rajendra Kumar
Rajendra Kumar was born on 20 July 1929 in Sialkot, in the West Punjab province of British India, which is presently in Pakistan. He married Shukla and had a son Kumar Gaurav and two daughters. Kumar Gaurav married Namrata Dutt, the daughter of actors Sunil Dutt and Nargis and sister of Sanjay Dutt.
Death of Rajendra Kumar
Rajendra Kumar died of cancer on July 12, 1999; only 8 days before his 70th birthday.