Screen celebrates Sanjeev Kumar's 70th birth anniversary falling on July 9 and salutes the sheer range of Sanjeev Kumar's performances.

Born Harihar Jariwala on July 9, 1938, he changed his name to Sanjeev Kumar as he debuted with Hum Hindustani in 1960. A stint in acting school took him to Bollywood. But it was from 1968 when he starred opposite the great Dilip Kumar in Sangharsh that he shot to fame. In 1970 , Khilona launched him in the stellar orbit. Box-office hits like Seeta Aur Geeta and Manchali followed.

He had a fruitful association with noted filmmaker Gulzar from the early 1970s. He featured in as many as nine of Gulzar's films which include Koshish, Aandhi , Mausam , Angoor and Namkeen . His most critically-acclaimed role was that of Mirza, the chess player in Satyajit Ray's classic Shatranj Ke Khiladi . But of course, it's his portrayal as the avenging Thakur in Sholay that remains dear to cinephiles. Trishul was yet another career high for him.

Playing nine different roles way back in 1974 in Naya Din Nayi Raat, Sanjeev Kumar proved his versatility beyond a doubt. In the early 1980s he pitched in withsupporting roles. In 1985, at the age of 47, he died of a heart ailment. Ten of his films were released after his death, Professor Ki Padosan being the last of his releases in 1994. Indeed, it is ironical that the actor who played a senior citizen most convincingly in so many films never really reached that age!

Screen India

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