#GoldenFrames: Sujit Kumar, one of the biggest stars that Bhojpuri cinema ever produced

Sujit Kumar has acted in at least 150 Hindi movies and over twenty Bhojpuri movies in a career spanning over four decades. He was the first superstar of Bhojpuri cinema in his heydays. From the 1960s to the 1990s, Sujit Kumar was one of the most visible and reliable character actors in Hindi cinema. Kumar was known for playing negative roles. He primarily worked as a film producer from the late 1980s through the 2000s.

Born on February 7, 1934, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Sujit Kumar was one of the most visible and reliable character actors in Hindi cinema.

(Photo: From the movie still 'Ye Gulistan Hamara')

He was initially seen in Dev Anand's 'Taxi Driver' (1954) in which he was spotted smoking a cigarette in the background. Hindi film enthusiasts of the 1960s might still remember him as the hero of low budget suspense flicks like 'Lal Bangla' (1966) and 'Ek Saal Pehle' (1965).

(Photo: Behind the scene from the movie 'Aradhana')

However, Sujit Kumar's memorable screen image remains of the guy playing the mouth organ while driving a jeep as Rajesh Khanna sings “Mere sapno ki rani” to Sharmila Tagore in 'Aradhana' (1969).

(Photo: Movie still from 'Aradhana')

Kumar was a regular in many movies starring Rajesh Khanna, such as 'Haathi Mere Saathi' (1971), 'Amar Prem' (1972), 'Roti' (1974) and 'Mehbooba' (1976).

(Photo: Behind the scenes of 'The Great Gambler')

He also worked with Amitabh Bachchan in 'The Great Gambler' (1979) and 'Aadalat' (1975), and with Dharmendra in 'Jugnu' (1973), 'Charas' (1976), 'Dharam Veer' (1977) and 'Dream Girl' (1977).

(Photo: 'Ram Balram' on the set - "Yaar Ki Khabar Mil Gaye" song shooting - Amitabh Bachchan, Rekha, Asit Sen, Sujit Kumar)

His roles ranged from the comic to the villains, and sometimes, both. Among his more notable roles—he played a spy in Ramanand Sagar's 'Aanken' (1968). The actor is also remembered for his small role in Dev Anand's 'Des Pardes'.

(Photo: Behind the scenes from the movie 'Aradhana')

Apart from winning hearts in Hindi cinema, Kumar was also one of the biggest stars that Bhojpuri cinema ever produced. He made his Bhojpuri debut in 'Bidesiya' (1963). His role as Bidesi Thakur brought so much glory that he instantly became a star in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh. Kumar's superhit 'Dangal' (1977) was the first Bhojpuri movie in colour responsible for the revival of regional genre's after it had undergone a decline in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

(Photo: L-R Rakesh Roshan, Rishi Kapoor, Jeetendra, Amitabh Bachchan, Prem Chopra and Sujit Kumar)

Kumar also directed the Bhojpuri movie 'Pan Khaye Saiyan Hamaar' (1984), starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha played in small roles.

(Photo: From the movie 'Ittefaq')

He was also part of the star-studded movie 'The Burning Train (1980). He acted in the Horror show's episode ‘Dahshat’ 1994-1995.

(Photo: Still from the movie 'Ye Gulistan Hamara')