Raaj Kumar
Encyclopedia
Raaj Kumar born Kulbushan Pandit (8 October 1926 – 3 July 1996) was an India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

n actor
Actor
An actor is a person who acts in a dramatic production and who works in film, television, theatre, or radio in that capacity...

 in Hindi
Hindi
Standard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...

 movies. Raaj Kumar started out as sub-inspector
Sub-inspector
Sub-inspector is a rank used extensively in the Indian Police, Pakistani Police and Sri Lankan Police, which is primarily based on the British model. It was formerly used in most British colonial police forces and in certain British police forces as well...

 of Mumbai police
Mumbai Police
The Mumbai Police is the police force of the city of Mumbai, India. It has the primary responsibilities of law enforcement and investigation within the limits of Mumbai. The department's motto is ""...

 in the late 1940s before he turned to acting with the 1952 film Rangili. He appeared in the Oscar-nominated 1957 film Mother India
Mother India
Mother India is a 1957 Hindi film epic, written and directed by Mehboob Khan and starring Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Raaj Kumar. The film, a melodrama, is a remake of Mehboob Khan's earlier film, Aurat...

and went onto star in over 70 Hindi films in a career that spanned over four decades.

Personal life

He was born as Kulbhushan Pandit in Loralai
Loralai
Loralai is the principal city of Loralai District in the northeast of the Balochistan Province of Pakistan. It was formerly known as Bori. It is four thousand seven hundred feet above the sea level....

, Balochistan
Balochistan
Balochistan or Baluchistan is a region which covers parts of Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. It can also refer to one of several modern and historical territories within that region:...

 now in Pakistan
Pakistan
Pakistan , officially the Islamic Republic of Pakistan is a sovereign state in South Asia. It has a coastline along the Arabian Sea and the Gulf of Oman in the south and is bordered by Afghanistan and Iran in the west, India in the east and China in the far northeast. In the north, Tajikistan...

, into a Kashmiri Pandit
Kashmiri Pandit
The Kashmiri Pandits are a Hindu Brahmin community originating from Kashmir, a mountainous region in South Asia.-Background:The Hindu caste system of the region was influenced by the influx of Buddhism from the time of Asoka, around the third century BCE, and a consequence of this was that the...

 family. In the late 1940s he moved to Mumbai
Mumbai
Mumbai , formerly known as Bombay in English, is the capital of the Indian state of Maharashtra. It is the most populous city in India, and the fourth most populous city in the world, with a total metropolitan area population of approximately 20.5 million...

, India
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...

 where he became Sub-inspector
Sub-inspector
Sub-inspector is a rank used extensively in the Indian Police, Pakistani Police and Sri Lankan Police, which is primarily based on the British model. It was formerly used in most British colonial police forces and in certain British police forces as well...

 of the Mumbai police
Mumbai Police
The Mumbai Police is the police force of the city of Mumbai, India. It has the primary responsibilities of law enforcement and investigation within the limits of Mumbai. The department's motto is ""...

. He married Gayatri in the 1960s with whom he had three children, two sons named Puru Raajkumar
Puru Raajkumar
Puru Raajkumar is an Indian film actor. He is the son of the late veteran actor Raaj Kumar. He was also arrested in a hit and run accident in which several sleeping pavement dwellers were killed, although he was never convicted for the same....

 (a Bollywood actor), Panini Raajkumar and a daughter named Vastavikta Raajkumar, who made her screen debut in 2006 film Eight Shani
Eight Shani
Eight -- The Power of Shani is a Hindi horror film written and directed by Karan Razdan. The film stars Raj Tara and Meghna Naidu in the lead roles along with Gulshan Grover in a supporting role...

.

Career

In the early 1950s, he changed his name to Raaj Kumar, quit his job as a police inspector and turned to acting. He made his acting debut in Rangili (1952). After acting in a few more films over the next five years he starred in Mehboob Khan's Mother India
Mother India
Mother India is a 1957 Hindi film epic, written and directed by Mehboob Khan and starring Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Raaj Kumar. The film, a melodrama, is a remake of Mehboob Khan's earlier film, Aurat...

(1957).

His performances include Shararat (1959), Paigham
Paigham
Paigham is a 1959 Hindi movie produced and directed by S S Vassan. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala, Raaj Kumar, Saroja Devi, Motilal and Johnny Walker. The films music is by C. Ramachandra. This was the first time Dilip and Raaj Kumar appeared in a film together. They later appeared...

(1959), Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi (1960), Gharana
Gharana
In Hindustani music, a gharānā is a system of social organization linking musicians or dancers by lineage or apprenticeship, and by adherence to a particular musical style. A gharana also indicates a comprehensive musicological ideology. This ideology sometimes changes substantially from one...

(1961), Dil Ek Mandir
Dil Ek Mandir
Dil Ek Mandir is a 1963 Hindi movie directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Rajendra Kumar, Meena Kumari, Raaj Kumar and Mehmood. The film's music is by Shankar Jaikishan. Almost all the songs of the film were big hits and so was the film too. The film was a remake of Tamil film, Nenjil Ore...

(1963), Waqt
Waqt (1965 film)
Waqt is a 1965 Indian film directed by Yash Chopra. It made it onto the BFI's long list of films in consideration for their top ten of Indian films award. It was produced by B.R...

(1965), Hamraaz
Hamraaz
Hamraaz is a 1967 Hindi film produced and directed by B. R. Chopra. The film stars Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Mumtaz, Sarika, Madan Puri, Iftekhar, Balraj Sahni, Jeevan, Helen and Vimi. The films music is by Ravi...

(1967), Neel Kamal
Neel Kamal (1968 film)
Neel Kamal is a 1968 Hindi film directed by Ram Maheshwari starring Waheeda Rehman in the title role.- Synopsis :Sita and her friends go for a trip, at night Sita sleepwalks and when she is about to be killed by a train walking on the railway track, Ram saves her and her father decides her...

(1968), Pakeezah
Pakeezah
Pakeezah is a 1972 Indian film. It was directed by Kamal Amrohi who was known for his perfectionism. The music is by Ghulam Mohammed and Naushad...

(1972), Lal Patthar
Lal Patthar
Lal Patthar is a 1971 Hindi film, produced by F. C. Mehra, and directed by Sushil Majumdar. The film stars Raaj Kumar, Vinod Mehra, Hema Malini, Rakhee, Ajit, Asit Sen and Paintal...

(1971), Heer Ranjha
Heer Ranjha
For 1970 Hindi movie of same name and characters, see Heer Raanjha.Heer Ranjha is one of the four popular tragic romances of the Punjab. The other three are Mirza Sahiba, Sassi Punnun and Sohni Mahiwal. There are several poetic narrations of the story, the most famous being 'Heer' by Waris Shah...

(1971), Hindustan Ki Kasam
Hindustan Ki Kasam
Hindustan Ki Kasam is a 1973 war movie based on the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 directed by Chetan Anand.-Cast:*Chetan Anand*Vijay Anand*Raaj Kumar*Priya Rajvansh*Balraj Sahni*Padma Khanna*Amjad Khan*Amrish Puri*Parikshat Sahni*Bharat Kapoor...

(1973), Ek Se Badh Kar Ek (1976), and Karmyogi (1978). He received Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award
The Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor is given by Filmfare as part of its annual Filmfare Awards for Hindi films, to recognise a male actor who has delivered an outstanding performance in a supporting role...

s for Dil Ek Mandir
Dil Ek Mandir
Dil Ek Mandir is a 1963 Hindi movie directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Rajendra Kumar, Meena Kumari, Raaj Kumar and Mehmood. The film's music is by Shankar Jaikishan. Almost all the songs of the film were big hits and so was the film too. The film was a remake of Tamil film, Nenjil Ore...

and Waqt
Waqt
Waqt is the Urdu and Arabic word for Time. It may also refer to:* the time schedule for Muslim prayers, see Salat times* Waqt, song from the Pakistani rock band Entity Paradigm* Waqt, a 1965 film directed by Yash Chopra...

.

During the 1980s he appeared in Chambal Ki Kasam
Chambal Ki Kasam
Chambal Ki Kasam is a 1980 Hindi movie directed by Ram Maheshwari. The film stars Raaj Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Shatrughan Sinha, Moushumi Chatterjee, Farida Jalal, Amjad Khan, Bhagwan and Nirupa Roy. The films music is by Khayyam...

(1980), Kudrat
Kudrat
Kudrat is a Hindi/Urdu word which was probably derived from the Persian language. It means Nature in English. The word is used widely in lots of expressions in Hindi and Urdu languages. There is also a 1981 Hindi movie written and directed by Chetan Anand. The film stars Rajesh Khanna and Hema...

(1981), Ek Nai Paheli
Ek Nai Paheli
Ek Nai Paheli is a 1984 Hindi-language Indian feature film directed by K. Balachander, starring Raaj Kumar, Hema Malini, Kamal Haasan, Padmini Kohlapure and Suresh Oberoi-Plot:...

(1984), Marte Dam Tak
Marte Dam Tak
Marte Dam Tak is a 1987 Bollywood action film directed by Mehul Kumar and starring Raaj Kumar, Govinda and Farha Naaz.-Plot:Courteous Police Inspector Rane intent on arresting notorious gangster P.C. Mathur finds himself on trial for murder and sentenced to seven years behind bars, of course being...

(1987), Jung Baaz
Jung Baaz
Jung Baaz is a Hindi movie directed by Mehul Kumar. The film features a huge starcast including, Govinda as Arjun Srivastav, Raaj Kumar as an advocate, Danny Denzongpa as Mahakal, Prem Chopra as Bahadur Singh, Shakti Kapoor as Numbridas, and Gulshan Grover as Rocky Verma....

(1989) and Police Public (1990).

In 1991 he appeared alongside Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar
Dilip Kumar , is an Indian actor and a former Member of Parliament.He lives in Pali Hill, Bandra in Mumbai, India. He is commonly known as "Tragedy King",and is described as "the ultimate method actor" by Satyajit Ray....

 in Saudagar. His last film appearance was in God and Gun (1995).

He was best known for his famous dialogue delivery, which resulted in many memorable lines becoming proverb, and often referred to people as Jaani.

Death

He died at the age of 69 on July 3, 1996 of throat cancer. He died a few months before his son Puru Raajkumar
Puru Raajkumar
Puru Raajkumar is an Indian film actor. He is the son of the late veteran actor Raaj Kumar. He was also arrested in a hit and run accident in which several sleeping pavement dwellers were killed, although he was never convicted for the same....

 made his debut in Bal Brahmachari, which was released later that year. It was dedicated to his memory.

Filmography

  • God and Gun (1995)
  • Jawab
    Jawab
    Jawab is 1995 Hindi movie directed by Ajay Kashyap and starring Raaj Kumar, Harish Kumar, Karishma Kapoor.Other cast include Prem Chopra, Mukesh Khanna, Annu Kapoor, Farida Jalal.-Cast:* Raaj Kumar ... Ashwani Kumar Saxena* Karishma Kapoor ... Suman...

    (1995)
  • Ulfat Ki Nayee Manzilen(1994)
  • Betaaj Badshah (1994)
  • Insaniyat Ke Devta
    Insaniyat Ke Devta
    Insaniyat Ke Devta is a 1993 Indian film directed by K. C. Bokadia....

    (1993)
  • Police Aur Mujrim (1993)
  • Tirangaa
    Tirangaa
    Tirangaa is an Indian Patriotic film starring Raaj Kumar, Nana Patekar and Mamta Kulkarni, released in 1993.- Cast :* Raj Kumar as Brigadier Suryadev Singh* Nana Patekar as Inspector Shivajirao Wagle* Suresh Oberoi as Rudrapratap Chouhan...

    (1992)
  • Saudagar (1991)
  • Police Public (1990)
  • Desh Ke Dushman (1989)
  • Jung Baaz
    Jung Baaz
    Jung Baaz is a Hindi movie directed by Mehul Kumar. The film features a huge starcast including, Govinda as Arjun Srivastav, Raaj Kumar as an advocate, Danny Denzongpa as Mahakal, Prem Chopra as Bahadur Singh, Shakti Kapoor as Numbridas, and Gulshan Grover as Rocky Verma....

    (1989)
  • Galiyon Ka Badshah (1989)
  • Suryaa: An Awakening
    Suryaa: An Awakening
    Suryaa: An Awakening is a 1989 film directed by Esmayeel Shroff. The film stars Raaj Kumar, Vinod Khanna, Raj Babbar, Bhanupriya, Shakti Kapoor, Alok Nath and Amrish Puri....

    (1989)
  • Mahaveera
    Mahaveera (film)
    Mahaveera is a 1988 Bollywood film starring Dharmendra....

    (1988)
  • Mohabbat Ke Dushman (1988)
  • Saazish
    Saazish
    Saazish is a 1975 Bollywood action film directed by Kalidas. The film stars .-Cast:*David as Captain Thompson*Saira Banu as Sunita*Dharmendra as Jaideep*Brahm Bhardwaj as Jaideep's boss*Helen as Lola, Singer/Dancer on ship...

    (1988)
  • Itihaas (1987)
  • Marte Dam Tak
    Marte Dam Tak
    Marte Dam Tak is a 1987 Bollywood action film directed by Mehul Kumar and starring Raaj Kumar, Govinda and Farha Naaz.-Plot:Courteous Police Inspector Rane intent on arresting notorious gangster P.C. Mathur finds himself on trial for murder and sentenced to seven years behind bars, of course being...

    (1987)
  • Muqaddar Ka Faisla (1987)
  • Ek Nai Paheli
    Ek Nai Paheli
    Ek Nai Paheli is a 1984 Hindi-language Indian feature film directed by K. Balachander, starring Raaj Kumar, Hema Malini, Kamal Haasan, Padmini Kohlapure and Suresh Oberoi-Plot:...

    (1984)
  • Raaj Tilak
    Raaj Tilak (1984 film)
    Raaj Tilak is a 1984 Hindi-language Indian feature film directed by Rajkumar Kohli, starring Raaj Kumar, Sunil Dutt, Dharmendra, Kamal Hassan, Hema Malini, Ranjeeta Kaur, Reena Roy, Yogeeta Bali, Sarika, Pran, Ranjeet, Raj Kiran and Ajit-Plot:...

    (1984)
  • Shar ara (1984)
  • Dharam Kanta (1982)
  • Kudrat
    Kudrat
    Kudrat is a Hindi/Urdu word which was probably derived from the Persian language. It means Nature in English. The word is used widely in lots of expressions in Hindi and Urdu languages. There is also a 1981 Hindi movie written and directed by Chetan Anand. The film stars Rajesh Khanna and Hema...

    (1981)
  • Bulundi (1980)
  • Chambal Ki Kasam
    Chambal Ki Kasam
    Chambal Ki Kasam is a 1980 Hindi movie directed by Ram Maheshwari. The film stars Raaj Kumar, Pradeep Kumar, Shatrughan Sinha, Moushumi Chatterjee, Farida Jalal, Amjad Khan, Bhagwan and Nirupa Roy. The films music is by Khayyam...

    (1980)
  • Karmayogi
    Karmayogi
    -Cast:*Mala Sinha ... Durga*Raaj Kumar ... Shanker / Mohan*Jeetendra ... Ajay*Rekha ... Rekha*Reena Roy ... Kiran*Ajit... Keshavlal*Sudhir Dalvi ... Judge*Mushtaq Merchant*Onkar Ahmad*Vijay Mehta*Master Abbas ... Mohan*Master Rajesh*Rahul*Rajeev...

    (1978)
  • Ek Se Badh Kar Ek (1976)
  • 36 Ghante
    36 Ghante
    36 Ghante is a 1974 Hindi film directed by Raj Tilak. The film stars Raaj Kumar, Mala Sinha, Sunil Dutt, Vijay Arora, Ranjeet, Danny Denzongpa, Parveen Babi, Iftekhar, and Deven Verma. The film's music is by Sapan Chakraborty...

    (1974)
  • Hindustan Ki Kasam
    Hindustan Ki Kasam
    Hindustan Ki Kasam is a 1973 war movie based on the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971 directed by Chetan Anand.-Cast:*Chetan Anand*Vijay Anand*Raaj Kumar*Priya Rajvansh*Balraj Sahni*Padma Khanna*Amjad Khan*Amrish Puri*Parikshat Sahni*Bharat Kapoor...

    (1973)
  • Dil Ka Raja
    Dil Ka Raja
    Dil Ka Raja is a 1972 Bollywood action film directed byP. Madhavan. The film stars Ajit, Indrani Mukherjee , Waheeda Rehman and Raaj Kumar .-Cast:*Ajit*Indrani Mukherjee*Bindu *Leena Chandavarkar*Jagdeep*Raaj Kumar*Waheeda Rehman...

    (1972)
  • Lal Patthar
    Lal Patthar
    Lal Patthar is a 1971 Hindi film, produced by F. C. Mehra, and directed by Sushil Majumdar. The film stars Raaj Kumar, Vinod Mehra, Hema Malini, Rakhee, Ajit, Asit Sen and Paintal...

    (1971)
  • Maryada
    Maryada
    Maryada...of an Indian family is a Hindi TV serial that aired on TV Asia from 2007 until 2009, based on the story of a 19 years old girl Meenakshi, who is a real life example of tradition in which she tries to change herself to save relationships with her dad's family.-Plot:This story is a very...

    (1971)
  • Pakeezah
    Pakeezah
    Pakeezah is a 1972 Indian film. It was directed by Kamal Amrohi who was known for his perfectionism. The music is by Ghulam Mohammed and Naushad...

    (1971)
  • Heer Raanjha
    Heer Raanjha
    Heer Raanjha is a 1970 Hindi movie, produced by son Ketan Anand and directed by father Chetan Anand. The film stars Raaj Kumar, Priya Rajvansh, Pran, Prithviraj Kapoor, Ajit, Jayant, Sonia Sahni, Kamini Kaushal, Indrani Mukherjee, Achla Sachdev and Tun Tun...

    (1970)
  • Mere Huzoor (1968)
  • Neel Kamal
    Neel Kamal (1968 film)
    Neel Kamal is a 1968 Hindi film directed by Ram Maheshwari starring Waheeda Rehman in the title role.- Synopsis :Sita and her friends go for a trip, at night Sita sleepwalks and when she is about to be killed by a train walking on the railway track, Ram saves her and her father decides her...

    (1968)
  • Vaasna (1968)
  • Hamraaz
    Hamraaz
    Hamraaz is a 1967 Hindi film produced and directed by B. R. Chopra. The film stars Sunil Dutt, Raaj Kumar, Mumtaz, Sarika, Madan Puri, Iftekhar, Balraj Sahni, Jeevan, Helen and Vimi. The films music is by Ravi...

    (1967)
  • Nai Roshni (1967)
  • Waqt
    Waqt (1965 film)
    Waqt is a 1965 Indian film directed by Yash Chopra. It made it onto the BFI's long list of films in consideration for their top ten of Indian films award. It was produced by B.R...

    (1965)
  • Kaajal
    Kaajal
    Kaajal is a 1965 Bollywood film produced by Pannalal Maheshwari and directed by Ram Maheshwari. The film stars Meena Kumari, Raaj Kumar, Dharmendra, Padmini, Helen, Durga Khote, Tun Tun , Mehmood and Mumtaz. The films music is by Ravi-Plot:...

    (1965)
  • Oonche Log
    Oonche Log
    Oonche Log is an Indian Hindi film directed by Brij, released on 5 July, 1985. The film stars Rajesh Khanna and Salma Agha as the main lead characters of the film.The film's cinematography, costumes, melodious music of R.D.Burman, performance of Rajesh Khanna, Danny Denzongpa and Prem Chopra...

    (1965)
  • Rishte Naahte (1965)
  • Dooj Ka Chand (1964)
  • Zindagi
    Zindagi (1964 film)
    Zindagi is a Hindi movie produced by SS Vasan, Gemini Pictures and directed by Ramanand Sagar. The film stars Rajendra Kumar, Vyjayanthimala, Raaj Kumar, Prithviraj Kapoor, Mehmood, Jayant,Jeevan, Leela Chitnis and Helen. The film's music is by Shankar Jaikishan-Plot:Beena works as a stage...

    (1964)
  • Aaj Aur Kal
    Aaj Aur Kal (1963 film)
    Aaj Aur Kal is a 1963 Hindi movie produced and directed by Vasant Joglekar. The film stars Sunil Dutt, Nanda, Raj Kumar, Tanuja, Ashok Kumar and Deven Verma.- Cast :*Sunil Dutt* Nanda*Raj Kumar*Tanuja*Ashok Kumar*Agha*Dhumal*Deven Verma-Music:...

    (1963)
  • Dil Ek Mandir
    Dil Ek Mandir
    Dil Ek Mandir is a 1963 Hindi movie directed by C. V. Sridhar. The film stars Rajendra Kumar, Meena Kumari, Raaj Kumar and Mehmood. The film's music is by Shankar Jaikishan. Almost all the songs of the film were big hits and so was the film too. The film was a remake of Tamil film, Nenjil Ore...

    (1963)
  • Godaan
    Godaan
    Godaan The Gift of a Cow is a Hindi novel by Munshi Premchand.It was first published in 1936 and is considered one of the greatest Hindi-Urdu novels of modern Indian literature. Themed around the socio economic deprivation as well as the exploitation of the village poor, the novel was the last...

    (1963)
  • Phool Bane Angarey (1963)
  • Pyar Ka Bandhan (1963)
  • Sautela Bhai (1962)
  • Gharana (1961)
  • Dil Apna Aur Preet Parayi (1960)
  • Maya Machhindra (1960)
  • Ardhangini
    Ardhangini
    Ardhangani - Ek Khoobsurat Jeevan Saathi is a Hindi TV serial that aired on Zee TV from October 29, 2007 to March 20, 2008 based on the concept of how beauty turns into a curse. The story concludes by showing Kangana's death in the last episode.-Plot:...

    (1959)
  • Durga Mata (1959)
  • Paigham
    Paigham
    Paigham is a 1959 Hindi movie produced and directed by S S Vassan. The film stars Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala, Raaj Kumar, Saroja Devi, Motilal and Johnny Walker. The films music is by C. Ramachandra. This was the first time Dilip and Raaj Kumar appeared in a film together. They later appeared...

    (1959)
  • Shararat (1959)
  • Swarg Se Sundar Desh Hamara (1959)
  • Ujala
    Ujala
    Ujala is a Bollywood movie released in 1959, starring Shammi Kapoor, Mala Sinha, Raj Kumar, Leela Chitnis and Tun Tun. Naresh Saigal is story writer as well as the director of this movie...

    (1959)
  • Dulhan
    Dulhan
    Dulhan is a 1975 Hindi movie produced by B. Anandwali and directed by C.V. Rajendran. The film stars Hema Malini, Jeetendra, Ashok Kumar, Mehmood and Paintal.The films music is by Laxmikant Pyarelal...

    (1958)
  • Jailor (1958)
  • Panchayat (1958)
  • Mother India
    Mother India
    Mother India is a 1957 Hindi film epic, written and directed by Mehboob Khan and starring Nargis, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Raaj Kumar. The film, a melodrama, is a remake of Mehboob Khan's earlier film, Aurat...

    (1957)
  • Krishna Sudama (1957)
  • Nausherwan-E-Adil (1957)
  • Neel Mani (1957)
  • Ghamand (1955)
  • Aabshar (1953)
  • Amnol Sahara (1952)
  • Rangili (1952)

External links

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