Rajendra Kumar; born Rajendra Kumar Tuli, on 20 July 1927, in Sialkot, British India (now Pakistan), was an Indian actor and producer, active in Bollywood films for over four decades.
Here's a glimpse into his career:
Early life and career: Rajendra Kumar's family left Sialkot for India after the partition
of India in 1947. He began his career in Bollywood as an assistant director
before transitioning to acting. His early roles included small parts in films
like "Patanga" (1949) and "Jogan" (1950).
Rise to stardom: He
gained recognition for his role in the 1957 blockbuster "Mother India",
where he played the son of Nargis Dutt. He went on to become one of the most
successful actors of the 1960s, earning the nickname "Jubilee Kumar"
due to a string of successful films. His career flourished with hits like
"Goonj Uthi Shehnai" (1959), "Dhool Ka Phool"
(1959), "Ayee Milan Ki Bela" (1964), and "Dil Ek
Mandir" (1964).
Later career: As
lead roles became less frequent, he transitioned to character roles and
production. He produced successful films like "Love Story"
(1981) and "Naam" (1986), launching his son Kumar Gaurav's acting
career in the former.
Personal life: He
was married to Shukla and had three children: a son, Kumar Gaurav, and two
daughters. Kumar Gaurav later married Namrata Dutt, the daughter of actors
Sunil Dutt and Nargis.
Recognition: Rajendra
Kumar's contributions to Indian cinema were recognized with the Padma Shri
award in 1969. He also held the title of "Justice of Peace" and
served as an honorary magistrate.
Rajendra Kumar left a lasting impact on Bollywood through his
charismatic performances and contributions to filmmaking as an actor and
producer.
