Rajendra Kumar

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his luck in films.

Rajendra Kumar idolized superstar of the 50’s Dilip Kumar and in a bid to become a star like Dilip Kumar, he began imitating his style and mannerism. He even changed his sir name Tuli to Kumar! What’s more his craze for Dilip Kumar was so intense that he even did an extra role only to be a part of Dilip Kumar’s film. The film was Jogan. Though he was emperor of debonair looks he was initially rejected for coping Dilip Kumar and was marked off by critics as a ‘Carbon Copy of Dilip Kumar’ nevertheless Rajendra Kumar continued his struggle. His first major successful film After being dejected as a hero Rajendra Kumar tried his luck as a film director and began assisting film director H. S. Rawail. He worked as an assistant director for five years in the films Patanga, Sagai, and Pocket Maar. During this phase, Kumar kept trying his luck as an actor doing minor roles like Vachan (1955), Awaz (1956), Toofan Aur Diya (1956), and Ek Jhalak (1957) until Movie genius Mehboob Khan brought him under the glare of the spotlight with Mother India (1957). He played the role of Nargis’s son and the elder brother of the film’s protagonist Sunil Dutt. However, all the glamour was stolen away by Nargis and Sunil Dutt. Nevertheless, Rajendra Kumar became a star! His first major Silver Jubilee Film After the huge success of Mother India filmmakers began making a beeline outside Rajendra Kumar’s office but Kumar decided not to get carried away by the stardom. Instead,d he decided to sign only those films that had substance, and good music and were directed by renowned filmmakers. Hence after a lot of rejection, he finally signed veteran filmmaker Vijay Bhatt’s (Who made Baiju Bawra) film Goonj Uthi Shehnai (1959). Like Baiju Bawra, Goonj Uthi Shehnai too was based on an Indian Classical Music theme. The hero (Rajendra Kumar) is a Shehnai player and how he wins his love after a Jugalbandi in Shehnai in the film's climax. Few are aware the Shehnai was played by India’s topmost Shehnai Ustad Bismillah Khan! All the songs were super hits like Tere Sur Aur Mere Geet, Dil Ka Khilona Hai Toot Gaya, Jivan Men Piya Tera Sath Rahe etc. The movie was a box office blockbuster and the first Silver Jubilee of Rajendra Kumar’s career. Peak of his career The ’60s saw him at the peak of his career. There was a phase between 1959 and 1966 when most films starring Rajendra Kumar proved gold mines. Courtesy of his Midas touch, whichever movie he did turn out to super hit. In 1961 he gave an array of hits like Aas Ka Panchhi, Gharana, Pyar Ka Sagar, Sasural etc. Believe it or not, Rajendra Kumar had an incredible six consecutive hits with not a single flop between late 1963 to 1966 viz. Mere Mehboob [1963]; Zindagi Aur Khawab, Sangam and Ayee Milan Ki Bela [all 1964]; Arzoo [1965] and Suraj [1966]. Truly he deserved the famous nomenclature of 'jubilee Kumar'. Mysterious reason behind Rajendra Kumar’s downfall It’s believed Rajendra Kumar lost his glory because he sold his lucky ‘mascot’ the sea-facing Dimple Bungalow on Carter Road in Bandra (Mumbai). According to rumors the bungalow was initially abandoned as nobody dared to buy it due to bizarre stories that the bungalow was hunted. But Rajendra Kumar rubbished all stories and bought the bungalow in the early 60s thanks to financial support from filmmaker B.R. Chopra. However no sooner did he occupy the bungalow, his films started creating box office records. But in the late 60’s Rajendra Kumar bought another huge Bungalow at Pali Hill in Bandra and sold the bungalow to struggling actor Rajesh Khanna. However call it destiny, no sooner did Rajendra Kumar leave the bungalow his career began to dwindle and Rajesh Khanna, who acquired it, his career took a huge leap and he became the Superstar!!!