By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
आखिरी पल है, आखिरी
आहें तुझे ढूँढ रही हैं
डूबती सांसें, बुझती निगाहें
तुझे ढूँढ रही हैं
सामने आजा एक बार
आजा मैं तो मिटा हूँ तेरी चाह में
तुझको पुकारे मेरा प्यार..
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.
In the Oscar Nominated 1957 film “Mother India he was cat in the lead opposite Nargis also featuring Sunil Dutt & Rajendra Kumar as their son, both later became the successful actors of Hindi films. The film continues to haunt people & 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 ventured to 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) & “Humraaz” (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. Interestingly & surprisingly, too, though Kumar was not romantic hero, he was cast in “Neel Kamal” (1968), “HeerRanjha” (1970) & “Pakeezah” (1972). “Kudrat” (1981) & “Saudagar” (1991) are his other notable films. Received Nominations for Best & Supporting Actor for “Paigham”, “Neel Kamal” & “Kajal”.
