By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
अपना पता मिले ना
खबर यर की मिले
दुश्मन को भी ना
ऐसी सजा प्यार की मिले
उनको खुदा मिले हैं
खुदा की जिन्हे तलाश
मुझ को बस एक झलक
मेरे दिलदार की मिले
ये दुनिया यह महफ़िल
मेरे काम की नहीं
मेरे काम की नहीं
Kulbhushan Pandit, who later came to be known as Raj Kumar, started his career as a Sub Inspector in Bombay. How a police officer became an actor makes an interesting story as he could never give up his old image.
Raj Kumar worked in the Oscar Nominated 1957 film “Mother India opposite Nargis also featuring Sunil Dutt & Rajendra Kumar as their son. The film is considered a classic. In “Paigham”(1959) he rubbed shoulders with Dilip Kumar & dominated ,especially in one of the last scenes. The two Giants never worked again until Subhash Ghai cast them in “Saudagar”.
I would also like to mention his two hits “Ujala” & “Shararat” (1959) starring Kishore Kumar & Shammi Kapoor respectively with many hit numbers like- “Jhoomta Mausam Mast Mahina, Chand Si Gauri Ek Hasina”, “Tera Jalwa Jisne Dekha Woh Tera Ho gaya” & “O Mora Nadan Balma”, “Dekha Baabu Chhed Ka Maza Mitha Mitha Dard De Diya” & “Tera Teer O Bepeer Dil Ke Aar Paar Hai” from the latter film.Kumkum played key roles in both films.
In mid 1960s Kumar joined hands with BR Chopra and he was cast in “Waqt” (1965) & “Hamraaz” (1967) both proving box office bonanza for the producer, with an envious cast to boast. Kumar gained prominence for his distinct style of dialogue delivery & for being vainglorious throughout his checkered career.
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The actor proved his mettle in “Dil Ek Mandir” (1961) winning the Filmfare Supporting Actor Award. The film starred Meena Kumari & Rajendra Kumar. The film had few lovely songs including “Tum Sab Ko Chhod Kar, Aa Jao” being the pick of the lot.
