Fondly called “Jubilee Kumar” due to his back-to-back Silver Jubilee films, Rajendra Kumar is remembered for his dashing outlook and memorable musical films like “Gharana” (1961), “Dil Ek Mandir” (1963), “Mere Mehboob” (1963), “Sangam” (1964), “Arzoo” (1965), and many more.
Early Life and Career
Rajendra Kumar was born Rajendra Kumar Tuli on July 20, 1927, in Sankhatra, Sialkot, Punjab. He was born into the affluent and wealthy family of Lakshmichand Tuli. After completing his early education locally, he joined the Hailey College of Commerce in Lahore, where he became interested in films and theatre. His family moved to Delhi during the tragic event of partition. He was offered the job in the police department, but he declined it and moved to Bombay to pursue his dream of becoming an actor.
Rajendra Kumar started his career as the helper of lyricist Rajendra Kirshan and later worked as an assistant to director H. S. Rawail. Rajendra Kumar made his acting debut with a small role in the 1949 film “Patanga,” directed by H. S. Rawail. He was then noticed by producer Chandulal Shah, who gave him the role of Dilip Kumar’s friend in “Jogan (1950).” His breakthrough came with Devendra Goel’s 1955 film “Vachan,” which was a hit and earned him the title “A star is born.”
Rajendra Kumar – Jubilee Kumar
He gained further recognition with his roles in V. Shantaram’s iconic film Toofan Aur Deeya (1956). In 1957, he starred in Mehboob Khan’s Academy Award-nominated epic “Mother India,” which further established him in the industry. Subsequently, he starred in films like Ek Jhalak (1957), Duniya Rang Rangeeli (1957), Devar Bhabhi (1958), Ghar Sansar (1958), Khazanchi (1958), and Talaq (1958).
He then starred in Devendra Goel’s “Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan (1959),” opposite Meena Kumari, B. R. Chopra’s “Dhool Ka Phool (1959),” Vijay Bhatt’s “Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959),” and B. R. Chopra’s songless thriller “Kanoon (1960).”
The 1960s were a golden era for Rajendra Kumar, earning him the nickname “Jubilee Kumar” due to the success of his films. Some of his notable movies from this period include “Gharana” (1961),” “Dil Ek Mandir” (1963), “Hamrahi (1963),” “Gehra Daag (1963),” “Mere Mehboob (1963),” “Sangam (1964),” “Ayee Milan Ki Bela (1964),” “Zindagi (1964),” “Arzoo (1965),” “Suraj (1966),” “Palki (1967),” “Saathi (1968),” “Jhuk Gaya Aasman (1968),” “Anjaana (1969),” “Shatranj (1969),” “Talash (1968),” “Mera Naam Joker (1970),” “Geet (1970),” “Ganwaar (1970),” “Aap Aye Bahaar Ayee (1971),” “Gora Aur Kala (1972),” “Gaon Hamara Shaher Tumhara (1971),” “Aan Baan (1972),” and “Lalkaar (1972),” among others.
Later Career
From the mid-1970s on, he transitioned into more mature roles in films like Do Jasoos, Daku Aur Mahatma, Aahuti, Mazdoor Zindabaad, Saajan Bina Suhagan, Bin Phere Hum Tere, Dhan Daulat, Saajan Ki Saheli, Love Story, Main Tere Liye, Insaaf Ka Khoon, and Phool.
Rajendra Kumar also produced several films, starting with the Rajesh Kahnna starrer “The Train” in 1970. In 1981, he launched his son, Kumar Gaurav, with the blockbuster “Love Story.” He also produced Lovers (1983), Naam (1986), Jurrat (1991), and Phool (1993). In 1994, he also co-produced the Hollywood film The Jungle Book, directed by Stephen Sommers and starring Jason Scott, Lee Cary Elwes, and Lena Headey.
Personal Life
Rajendra Kumar was married to Shukla Kumar, who was the sister of famous producers Ramesh and Shyam Behl. Apart from Kumar Gaurav, he also has two daughters, Dimple Patel and Kaajal Tulli.
He was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India in 1970 for his contributions to Indian cinema. Rajendra Kumar passed away on July 12, 1999.
Rajendra Kumar on IMDB
