Pradeep Kumar, born Sital Batabyal on January 4, 1925, in Kolkata (then Culcutta), Bengal, remains an illustrious figure in both Hindi and Bengali cinema. His portrayal of historical characters in the 1950s and 1960s will always be remembered with the utmost respect.
He started his film career in Bengali cinema and acted in movies like Alaknanda (1947), directed by renowned filmmaker Debaki Bose, and 42 (1949). He started his Hindi film career with Anand Math (1952), an adaptation of Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s novel.
Audiences still hold fond memories of his stellar performances in films like ‘Anarkali (1953) with Bina Rai’ Nagin (1954) with Vyjayantimala, Taj Mahal (1963) with Bina Rai, Bahu Begum (1967), and ‘Chitralekha (1964) with Meena Kumari. His on-screen chemistry with Meena Kumari was particularly memorable. Their collaborations in movies such as ‘Adl-e-Jehangir,’ ‘Bandhan,’ ‘Chitralekha,’ ‘Bahu Begum,’ ‘Bhingi Raat,’ ‘Aarti,’ and ‘Noor Jahan’ are cherished to this day.
He worked with Madhubala in eight films, of which Raj Hath (1956), Shirin Farhad (1956), Gateway of India (1957), Yahudi Ki Ladki (1957) and Passport (1961) were huge hits.
He worked with Madhubala in eight films, of which Raj Hath (1956), Shirin Farhad (1956), Gateway of India (1957), Yahudi Ki Ladki (1957) and Passport (1961) were huge hits.
He moved to character roles in movies like Sambandh, Mehboob Ki Mehndi, Jaanwar, Razia Sultan, and Gandhi.
Pradeep Kumar died in Calcutta on October 27, 2001, at the age of 76.
