Rajendra Kumar

Rajendra Kumar Tuli (20 July 1929 – 12 July 1999) was an Indian film actor who starred in Bollywood films. Starting his career in 1950, he appeared in more than 80 films in a career spanning over four decades. He was popularly known as the 'Jubilee Kumar'. He was considered one of the most successful Indian actors in the 1960s. He also produced several films starring his son Kumar Gaurav. The Government of India honoured him with the Padma Shri in 1969.

This article is about the actor. For the politician, see Rajendra Kumar (politician).

Rajendra Kumar Tuli
Born(1929-07-20)20 July 1929
Sialkot, Punjab, British India (present-day Punjab, Pakistan)
Died12 July 1999(1999-07-12) (aged 69)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Other namesJubilee Kumar[1]
OccupationActor, Producer, Director
Years active1949–1998
Spouse(s)Shukla
Children3, including Kumar Gaurav
AwardsPadma Shri (1969)

Career

Rajendra Kumar's family was based in Punjab, British India. He was born in a Punjabi Hindu family in Sialkot, in the Punjab province of British India.[2] His grandfather was a successful military contractor and his father had a textile business in Karachi, Sindh, British India. During the Partition of India, the family had to leave all the land and property behind and move to India. When they came to Bombay, Kumar decided to try his luck in the Hindi film industry. He never wanted to be a hero and took up work with director H. S. Rawail as an assistant. For nearly five years, he worked with Rawail as an assistant in films like Patanga, Sagai, Pocketmaar.

During this time he made his film debut with a cameo in the 1949 film Patanga, followed by a small role in Kidar Sharma's 1950 film Jogan, opposite Dilip Kumar and Nargis. It was producer Devendra Goel who noticed Kumar in Jogan and gave him a break in Vachan in 1955. Kumar was paid only fifteen hundred rupees for the film; however, the film was a hit and was Kumar's first silver jubilee film and he was given a title – 'A star is Born'.[3] He got further success with his supporting role in Mehboob Khan's blockbuster epic film Mother India in 1957 in which he played Nargis's character's son. His first major success as a romantic leading man was in Amit Saxena's musical Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959), co-starring Ameeta.

The 1960s saw Kumar rise to stardom. There were times when he had six or seven films which had run for more than 25 weeks (known in India as a "silver jubilee film"), all running at the cinema at the same time, which rendered him the nickname "Jubilee Kumar".[4] He starred in many box office hits including Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Dil Ek Mandir (1963), Mere Mehboob (1963), Sangam (1964), Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964), Arzoo (1965), Suraj (1966), Jhuk Gaya Aasmaan (1968), Talash (1969) 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).[5] Rajendra kumar also starred in K.Asif's incomplete film 'Sasta khoon mehanga paani' co- starring Saira banu.

From 1972 onwards, he faced competition from Rajesh Khanna and many of his films were flops. He then switched to character roles in the late 1970s and 1980s. He was offered a role in the film Saajan Bina Suhaagan opposite Nutan in 1978 which was a success. He also starred in a number of Punjabi films like Teri Meri Ek Jindari. His brother Naresh Kumar was also a director and directed him in films like Gora Aur Kala (1972) and Do Jasoos (1975).

In 1981, Rajendra introduced his son Kumar Gaurav in the film Love Story which he produced and also starred in. The film was declared a blockbuster.[6] Rajendra produced a few other films starring his son but none matched the success of Love Story with the exception of the 1986 film Naam, which featured his son starring alongside Sanjay Dutt. His last production was the 1993 film Phool which also didn't do well. In 1995, he acted in the television serial Andaz which was his last acting role.

Personal life
See also: Behl family

Kumar was linked to actress Saira Banu during their works. Though neither confirmed their affair. Saira Banu went on to marry Dilip Kumar. He married Shukla who was the Sister of director OP Ralhan[7] He and Shukla had a son and two daughters. His son Kumar Gaurav is a former actor.

Kumar acted with Sunil Dutt and Nargis in the film Mother India (1957) where Sunil Dutt and Rajendra Kumar played natural sons of Nargis's character. He had a special relationship with Dutt and used to actively participate in campaigning for him, whenever the latter used to contest for elections. Dutt quoted as having said that "Even though Rajendra Kumar did not win any award throughout his career, he was one of the most genuine human beings I have ever encountered. When I was struggling with the troubles related to the arrest of my son Sanjay Dutt and my house was repeatedly being searched by means of numerous police raids, Rajendra Kumar was the one who came to my rescue by staying at my house and ensuring that raids were conducted using due procedures, false evidences were not planted in the house and valuables were not stolen." Kumar was best friends with Raj Kapoor, so much so that his son Kumar Gaurav was engaged to the latter's daughter, Reema. However, their friendship fell apart after their children broke the engagement and Kumar Gaurav married Sunil Dutt and Nargis's daughter Namrata.

He attained a Ph.D. and had a title of 'Doctor' prefixed to his name.

For the premier of his film Vachan, he was asked if he wanted any seats for his relatives or friends, and thinking that it would be complimentary, he answered ten. After some days when he went to get his fees from the producer's accountant, he was given a lesser amount and when he asked why he was told that the money was deducted for the seats he took for his relatives and friends. He took this lesson as a principle of production and when he produced Naam, he deducted some amount from Amrita Singh's fees for the long calls she had made from Hong Kong to India.

Death

Known to refuse taking any medication, he succumbed to cancer on 12 July 1999, just a day after his son's 39th birthday, and just 8 days before his 70th birthday.

The star of 150-odd films died of cardiac arrest peacefully in his sleep eight days before his 70th birthday.[8]

Honours and recognitions
Kumar on a 2013 stamp of India
  • Rajendra Kumar was honoured with the Padma Shri Award in 1969.
  • He was also conferred with Justice of Peace honour and served as Honorary Magistrate.
  • He was awarded the National Honour by late Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru simultaneously for "Kanoon" (Hindi) and "Mehndi Rang Lagyo" (Gujarati film).
  • He received a special Lal Bahadur Shastri National Award and was associated with several charity schemes.[9]

Awards and nominations

Filmfare Awards

Rajendra Kumar was nominated for Filmfare Award for Best Actor for three consecutive years in 1964, 1965 and 1966. In the year 1965 he was nominated both for Filmfare Award for Best Actor and Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor.[10]

Filmfare Award for Best Actor
Nominations
YearFilmRoleNotes
1964 Dil Ek Mandir Dr. Dharmesh Nominated
1965 Ayee Milan Ki Bela Shyam
1966 Aarzoo Gopal/Sarju
Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor Nominations
1965 Sangam Gopal Verma Nominated

Filmography

As actor
Films as actor
YearFilmRoleNotes
1949 PatangaSmall Role
1950 JoganVijay's FriendSmall Role.
1955 VachanKishore
1956 Toofan Aur DeeyaSatish Sharma / Masterji
AawazAshok
1957 Mother IndiaRamu
Ek Jhalak
Duniya Rang RangeeliShyam
1958 Devar BhabhiRamu
Ghar SansarDeepak
KhazanchiHarish Mohan
TalaqRavi Shankar Chaube
1959 Chirag Kahan Roshni KahanDr. Anand
Dhool Ka PhoolMahesh Kapoor
Do BehnenRamesh
Goonj Uthi ShehnaiKishan
SantanMohanlal Verma
1960 KanoonAdvocate Kailash Khanna
Maa BaapRaj Kumar 'Raju'
Mehndi Rang LagyoAnil Gujarati Film
PatangDr. Rajan
1961 Zindagi Aur KhwabInspector Manoj
Aas Ka PanchhiRajan 'Raju' Khanna
Dharmputraparty leaderSpecial Appearance
Amar Rahe Yeh PyarAdvocate Iqbal Hussain
GharanaKamal
Pyaar Ka SaagarKishan Chand Gupta
SasuralShekhar
SanjogGuest Role
1963 Akeli Mat JaiyoPrince Amardeep
Dil Ek MandirDr. DharmeshNominated for Filmfare Award for Best Actor
Gehra DaagShankar
HamrahiShekhar
Mere MehboobAnwar
1964 SangamMagistrate Gopal VermaNominated for Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor
Ayee Milan Ki BelaShyamNominated for Filmfare Award for Best Actor
ZindagiRajendra 'Rajan'
1965 ArzooGopal / SarjuNominated for Filmfare Award for Best Actor
1966 SurajSuraj Singh
1967 PalkiNaseem Baig
AmanDr. Gautamdas
1968 SaathiRavi
Jhuk Gaya AasmanSanjay / Tarun Kumar 'Battu' 'Pappu' Saxena
1969 AnjaanaRaju
ShatranjJai/Vijay/Shinranz
TalashRaj Kumar 'Raju'
1970 Mera Naam JokerMahendra Kumar
GeetSuraj 'Sarju' Kumar
GanwaarGopal Rai / Garibdas
DhartiBharat
1971 Aap Aye Bahaar AyeeKumar Verma
1972 TangewalaRaju / Rai Bahadur Kishandas / Dilbahadur Khan
Gora Aur KalaKaran Singh / Kali Singh (Kalua)Double Role
Gaon Hamara Shaher TumharaBrij "Birju" Bhushan
Aan BaanSuraj
LalkaarWing Commander Rajan Kapoor
1974 Dukh Bhanjan Tera NaamBoatsman
Do SherSheraPunjabi film
1975 Do JasoosKaramchand Jasoos
Rani Aur LalpariRani's Father
Sunehra SansarChandrashekhar
Teri Meri Ik JindriJaggar Singh FaujiSpecial Appearance
1976 Mazdoor ZindabaadRam Singh
1977 Daku Aur Mahatma
Do SholayPunjabi Movie Do Sher (1974) dubbed in Hindi
Shirdi Ke Sai BabaDoctor (Pooja's Husband)
1978 Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke HaathShankar
AahutiCID Inspector Ram Prasad / Rocky
Saajan Bina SuhaganRaj Kumar
1979 Bin Phere Hum TereJagdish Sharma
1980 Gunehgaar
Badla Aur BalidanBarrister Avinash Kumar
Dhan DaulatRaj Saxena
Oh BewafaR K
1981 Yeh Rishta Na TootayPolice Inspector Vijay Kumar
Saajan Ki SaheliBarrister Avinash Kumar
Love StoryVijay Mehra
1982 RustomJ. D. Mehta
1983 LoversChristian Priest
1988 Main Tere LiyeShiva
1989 ClerkRahim U. Khan
1991 Insaaf Ka KhoonJudge Kumar
1993 PhoolDharamraajAlso Producer
TV show
YearFilmRoleChannelNotes
1995 AndazZee TVone episode
VanshZee TV

Producer
Films as producer
YearFilmDirectorNotes
1981 Love StoryRahul RawailTo launch son Kumar Gaurav
1983 LoversBharathiraja
1986 NaamMahesh Bhatt
1991 JurratDavid DhawanAlso editor of the film
1993 PhoolSingeetam Srinivasa Rao
1994 The Jungle Book(co-executive producer)
(co-producer)

Presenter

Soundtrack
  • Mere Mehboob (1963) (performer: "Mere Mehboob Tujhe", "Allah Bachaye", "Tere Pyar Mein Dildar", "Janeman Ek Nazar", "Yaad Mein Teri", "Tumse Izhar e Haal", "Mere Mehboob Mein Kya", "Ae Husn Zara Jaag", "Yaad Mein (revival)")

Thanks

Self
  • Raj Kapoor (1987) as Himself (during funeral)
  • Star (1982) as Himself (Guest Appearance)
  • Shrimanji (1968) as Himself
  • Kala Bazar (1960) as Himself

Archive footage
  • Film Hi Film (1983) (uncredited)

References
  1. https://www.thequint.com/entertainment/Hindi films/how-did-rajendra-kumar-become-jubilee-kumar
  2. Raheja, Dinesh. "Bollywood's Jubilee Kumar". Archived from the original on 11 February 2018. Retrieved 14 October 2011.
  3. Rajendra Kumar – Memories Archived 12 March 2014 at the Wayback Machine. "Cineplot.com". Retrieved on 8 November 2018.
  4. Movies: Bollywood's Jubilee Kumar Archived 10 September 2014 at the Wayback Machine. Rediff.com (July 2002). Retrieved on 8 November 2018.
  5. 1st Filmfare Awards 1953 Archived 12 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine. Deep750.googlepages.com. Retrieved on 8 November 2018.
  6. Box Office Results 1981. boxofficeindia.com
  7. Bollywood’s Forgotten Stars: 8 Interesting facts about Boogie Woogie’s judge – Ravi Behl Archived 10 July 2020 at the Wayback Machine, The Free Press Journal, 17 June 2018.
  8. https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/obituary/story/19990726-bollywoods-marathon-crybaby-rajendra-kumar-passes-away-824494-1999-07-26#:~:text=The%20star%20of%20150%2Dodd,counts%2C%20blood%20transfusions%20and%20hospitals.
  9. Arts Tribune Archived 14 October 2012 at the Wayback Machine. Tribuneindia.com (16 July 1999). Retrieved on 8 November 2018.
  10. "Rajendra Kumar Awards". Bollywood Hungama. Archived from the original on 30 September 2007.
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