| Sujith Kumar | |
|---|---|
| Born | Sujit Kumar 7 February 1934 Varnasi, Uttar Pradesh, India |
| Died | 5 February 2010 (aged 75) Mumbai, India |
| Other names | Sujeet Kumar |
| Occupation | Actor, Producer |
| Years active | 1960–2001 |
| Children | Jatin Kumar and Heena |
Sujit Kumar (7 February 1934 – 5 February 2010), born near a village in Varnasi, was an Indian film actor and producer. He appeared in over 150 Hindi films in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s and 25 films in Bhojpuri. From the late 90s, he latterly concentrated more on production. Kumar was the first superstar of Bhojpuri cinema.[1] He played pivotal roles either as a villain or as a character actor regularly in the most of films with Rajesh Khanna as the hero and in the films directed by Shakti Samanta. His indelible screen image remains of the guy playing the mouth organ while driving a jeep as Rajesh Khanna serenades Sharmila Tagore in the 1969 superhit, Aradhana.[2]
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Sujit was the leading man in the suspense flicks in Hindi in early sixties like Lal Bangla (1966) and Ek Saal Pehle (1965). He was always part of the films with Rajesh Khanna as the lead hero like in 'Aradhana', Ittefaq, Aan Milo Sajna, Haathi Mere Saathi, Amar Prem, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Roti, Mehbooba, Avtaar, Aakhir Kyon?, Amrit.
His other notable roles include that of a spy in Ramanand Sagar’s Aankein (1968), Naya Raasta (1970), Jugnu (1973), Hamrahi (1974), Charas (1976), Dharamveer (1977), Dev Anand’s Des Pardes, Burning Train, Kaamchor, Krantiveer, Tiranga and many more.[3][4] He produced big budget movies like Asmaan Se Ooncha (1989), Daraar (1996) Champion (2000), Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam (2009) .[5] His best friends from the film industry were Rajesh Khanna,Jeetendra, Rakesh Roshan, the two with whom Sujit used to hit the gym regularly and other close friends included producer Saawan Kumar Tak and Randhir Kapoor as all of them practically grew up together in the Hindi Film industry since the early sixties.[6]
He appeared in such films as Bidesiya, Loha Singh, Dangal, Pan Khaye Saiyya Hamar, Champa Chameli, Patoh Bitiya, Sajanwa Bairi Bhouji, Nag Panchami, Saiyya Se Bhaile Milanawa, Aaeel Basant Bahar, Bhaile Hamar, Bidhana Nach Nachawe, Mai Ke Lal, Sampurna Teerth Yatra, Sajai Da Maang Hamar, Saiyya Magan Pahalwani Me, Ganga Kahe Pukar Ke, Ganga Jaisan Bhauji Hamar and Ganga Hamar Mai.
Kumar died in 2010 of cancer, an illness from which he was suffering since 2007. At the time of his death he was survived by his two children Jatin Kumar and a daughter Heena.[7] A condolence meeting took place on February 8, 2010, at the Indian Medical Association, besides PVR Cinema, Juhu, Mumbai where many of his friends from the industry like the whole of Kapoor family, Rakesh Roshan's family, Rajesh Khanna etc. paid him last respects.
| Year | Film | Character/Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Khandaan | Vikas G. Srivastav | |
| 1978 | Des Pardes | Gangaram | |
| 1977 | Kalabaaz | Malhotra | |
| 1979 | The Great Gambler | Marconi | |
| Persondata | |||
| Name | Kumar, Sujit | ||
| Alternative names | |||
| Short description | |||
| Date of birth | 7 February 1934 | ||
| Place of birth | Varnasi, Uttar Pradesh, India | ||
| Date of death | 5 February 2010 | ||
| Place of death | Mumbai, India | ||