Remembering Sanjeev Kumar, one of Bollywood’s most versatile actors, on his 80th birth anniversary today.

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On the sets of the Bollywood blockbluster 'Sholay':
Jai (Amitabh Bachchan), Veeru (Dharmendra), Thakur Baldev Singh (Sanjeev Kumar) and Gabbar Singh (Amjad Khan)

 An actor par excellence, who could essay any character with consummate ease and deliver a flawless performance, Sanjeev Kumar’s name is indelibly etched in the hearts of cineastes and the annals of Indian cinema as one of the greatest actors ever. 

Born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala, Sanjeev Kumar was known for his range by playing varied parts and presented Hindi film audiences with a more realistic hero, one who brought back a bit of sensitivity, in contrast to the macho heroes that audiences had become used to seeing on screen.

He broke all the rules of stardom and yet was a star, a romantic hero and an all-rounder par excellence. From playing Amitabh Bachchan's father in 'Trishul' to playing the husband of his former beloved Rekha in 'Silsila', Sanjeev Kumar is still remembered for playing a variety of roles on big screen. He is probably the best mainstream actor Bollywood has seen so far. The actor played romantic as well as intense roles with an ease. It's so ironical that the man who played so many characters with grey hair died at the young age of 47 on November 6, 1985 after suffering a massive heart attack.


Even after decades of his demise, his memories are still afresh in the mind of cinema lovers.
Sanjeev Kumar and Waheeda Rehman in the movie Trishul (1978)

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