Sanjeev Kumar, born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala, was a legendary Bollywood actor known for playing older characters with remarkable depth. Despite his success, his personal life was marked by heartbreak. He proposed to actress Hema Malini during the filming of Sholay but she rejected him, leading him to remain single for life. Eerily, Kumar predicted his early death, stating he wouldn't live past 50, much like the men in his family. Tragically, this came true when he passed away at 47 from a heart attack in 1985, leaving behind an enduring cinematic legacy.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Sanjeev Kumar, born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala on July 9, 1938, in Surat, Gujarat, later moved to Mumbai with his family. His early years were marked by a passion for acting, which led him to attend film school. Fluent in multiple languages, including Gujarati, Hindi, and English, Kumar had two younger brothers and one sister. This background set the stage for his future career as one of Indian cinema's most respected actors.
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Kumar began his acting journey on stage, performing in plays with IPTA (Indian People's Theatre Association) and the Indian National Theatre. His film debut came in 1960 with Hum Hindustani, but it wasn’t until his role in Nishan (1965) that he started gaining wider recognition. The turning point in his career came with the success of Khilona in 1970, propelling him to stardom and marking him as one of the finest actors of his generation.
A Career of Remarkable Performances
Sanjeev Kumar's acting prowess was truly unique. Unlike his contemporaries, he was known for choosing roles that required him to portray much older characters. His collaboration with director Gulzar brought out some of his best performances in films like Parichay (1972), Koshish (1973), and Aandhi (1975). Kumar's portrayal of a deaf and mute man in Koshish earned him critical acclaim, solidifying his reputation as a versatile and dedicated actor.
He shared the screen with many leading actresses of his time, including Hema Malini, Raakhee, and Moushumi Chatterjee. Kumar's ability to portray both older and younger characters with equal ease became a defining feature of his career, making him stand out in an industry dominated by larger-than-life heroes.
The Unrequited Love for Hema Malini
Sanjeev Kumar's personal life was often as dramatic as his film roles. One of the most intriguing chapters was his romantic interest in Hema Malini, Bollywood's "Dream Girl." During the filming of Sholay, Kumar reportedly proposed marriage to Malini, unaware that she was already dating Dharmendra, another star in the same film. Unfortunately for Kumar, Hema Malini turned down his proposal, leaving him heartbroken.
After this rejection, Sanjeev Kumar chose to remain single for the rest of his life. His unfulfilled love story with Hema Malini became a topic of much speculation, though Kumar himself rarely discussed it publicly. His decision to stay single only added to the mystique surrounding his personal life.
“I’m Not Going to Live Beyond 50”
One of the most haunting aspects of Sanjeev Kumar's life was his eerie prediction about his own death. Known for playing older characters, Kumar once joked about his penchant for such roles, saying, “I'm not going to turn old, as I will not live beyond 50, much like the men in my family. So, I might as well experience old age on screen.”
This casual remark turned into a tragic prophecy. Kumar suffered from a hereditary heart condition that had taken the lives of many men in his family before they reached 50. Despite undergoing bypass surgery in the United States, his health deteriorated rapidly. He passed away from a heart attack on November 6, 1985, at the age of 47, just as he had predicted.
The Legacy Lives On
Even after his untimely death, Sanjeev Kumar's legacy in Indian cinema continued. Several of his films were released posthumously, and directors had to adjust scripts to account for his absence. His last incomplete film, Professor Ki Padosan (1993), was modified to fit the unfinished status of his character, but it couldn't capture the magic Kumar brought to the screen.
Over the course of his career, Kumar worked in over ten languages and delivered performances that resonated with audiences across generations. He became known for his ability to portray a wide range of characters, whether they were deeply emotional or lighthearted, with grace and authenticity. His death marked the end of an era in Bollywood, but his contributions to Indian cinema remain unmatched.
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