Pradeep Kumar was one of the most successful actors of the 1950s, who worked in predominantly Hindi and Bengali like Alaknanda (1947), 42 (1951), Anand Math (1952), Anarkali (1953), Nagin (1954), Raj Hath (1956), Ghoonghat (1960), Aarti (1962), Taj Mahal (1963), and many more.
Pradeep Kumar, born as Sital Batabyal on 4th January 1925 in Kolkata, 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 utmost respect.
His journey in the world of acting began at the tender age of 17, marking the start of a career that would span over five decades. 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 Hemen Gupta’s “Anand Math (1952),” an adaptation of Bankim Chandra Chatterjee’s novel. The film also has Prithviraj Kapoor, Bharat Bhushan, Geeta Bali, and Ajit in prominent roles. The film’s success opens the door of opportunities for Kumar.
One of Kumar’s most celebrated roles was in the 1953 film “Anarkali,” where he played the lead opposite Bina Rai. His portrayal of Prince Salim, the lovestruck heir to the Mughal throne, was both poignant and powerful, capturing the hearts of viewers and becoming a cultural touchstone.
Another unforgettable performance was in “Nagin” (1954), where he starred alongside Vyjayanthimala. The film’s unique storyline and melodious music, coupled with Kumar’s compelling acting, made it a massive hit and a classic in the genre of fantasy romance.
He then acted in many successful films like V. Shantaram’s “Subah Ka Tara (1954), Amiya Chakrabarty’s “Badshah (1954), G.P. Sippy’s Adl-e-Jehangir (1955) opposite Meena Kumari, Aspi Irani’s “Shirin Farhad (1955)” opposite Madhubala, Sohrab Modi’s “Raj Hath (1956)” opposite Madhubala, Hemchandra Chunder’s “Bandhan (1956)” opposite Meena Kumari, Om Prakash’s “Gateway of India (1957) with Bharat Bhushan, Madhubala, Anita Guha, Johnny Walker, S.D. Narang’s Yahudi Ki Ladki (1957) opposite Madhubala, and many more.
Despite a dip in success during the 1960s, Kumar managed to deliver memorable performances in “Ghoonghat (1960),” “Aarti (1962),” “Rakhi (1962),” “Taj Mahal (1963),” “Mulzim (1963),” “Chitralekha (1964),” “Bheegi Raat (1965),” “Bahu Begum (1967),” “Noor Jehan (1967),” and “Raat Aur Din (1967).”
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 also worked with Mala Sinha in eight films.
Kumar’s role in “Taj Mahal” (1963) is also noteworthy. In this historical drama, he brought to life the character of Shah Jahan, the Mughal emperor who built the Taj Mahal in memory of his beloved wife. His nuanced performance added depth to the portrayal of a ruler dealing with love and loss. In “Bahu Begum” (1967), Kumar shared the screen with Meena Kumari, and their performances were a masterclass in acting.
Kumar moved to character roles in 1969 with films like “Sambandh and “Mehboob Ki Mehndi.” He continued to do small character roles up until the 1990s in films like Samjhauta (1972), Jalte Badan (1973), Hawas (1974), Chaitali (1975), Pratigya (1975), Do Anjaane (1976), Dharam Veer (1977), Khatta Meetha (1978), Lok Parlok (1979), Chambal Ki Kasam (1980), Krant (1981), Gandhi (1982), Raziya Sultan (1983), Oonche Log (1985), Daku Hasina (1987), Yeh Aag Kab Bujhegi (1991), Veerta (1993), and many more.
In recognition of his contributions to Indian cinema, Kumar was honored with the Kalakar Award—Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999.
He was a father to four children, son Debiprasad Kumar and daughters Reena, Meena, and Beena Banerjee. His legacy continues through his daughter Beena Banerjee, who is known for her character roles in movies and TV serials. His legacy in the film industry extends to his grandson, Siddharth Banerjee, who worked as an assistant director in Bollywood, contributing to films like “Housefull 2” (2012) and “Himmatwala” (2013).
Pradeep Kumar passed away on October 27, 2001, in Kolkata, but his films remain popular even to this day.
