Pradeep Kumar

Indian film actor (1925–2001)

  • Anarkali
  • Nagin
  • Taj Mahal
Children4, including Beena Banerjee

Pradeep Kumar (born Sital Batabyal; 4 January 1925 – 27 October 2001) was an Indian actor who is recognized for his work in Hindi, Bengali and English-language films.[1][2]

Career

When Kumar was 17 years old, he decided to take up acting. He started his film career in Bengali films.[2] His notable roles in Bengali films were in Alaknanda (1947), directed by renowned filmmaker Debaki Bose, and in 42 (1951).

Pradeep Kumar Batabayal then shifted to Bombay and Filmistan studios, and had an important role in the film Anand Math (1952). He played the lead role with Bina Rai in Anarkali (1953) and with Vyjayanthimala in Nagin (1954). Both films were very popular and had songs that added to the movies' success. 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 massive hits. He had a spate of releases in the second half of the 1950s. He did not enjoy as much success in the 1960s, though Ghoonghat (1960), Aarti (1962) & Taj Mahal (1963) were successful. He worked with Meena Kumari in seven films; Adil-E-Jahangir, Bandhan (1956 film), Chitralekha, Bahu Begum (1967), Bheegi Raat, Aarti and Noorjehan; and with Mala Sinha in eight films; Naya Zamana, Hamlet, Baadshah, Detective (1958 movie), Fashion (1959 film), Ek Shola, Duniya Na Maane, and Mitti Mein Sona.

He also worked with the legendary Bengali actor and matinee idol Uttam Kumar in Grihadaha in 1967 which was produced by Uttam himself and then he worked in Plot No 5.

He did not get to act with the newer heroines of the 1960s such as Sadhana, Saira Banu, Babita or Sharmila Tagore, though he did work with Asha Parekh in Ghoonghat and Meri Surat Teri Aankhen and with Waheeda Rehman in Rakhi (1962). In 1969, he moved to character roles with Sambandh and Mehboob Ki Mehndi, but did not have many visible roles until Gandhi, which won several Academy Awards and was his debut Hollywood movie. Some of his later films include Jaanwar and Razia Sultan in 1983.

Awards

He won the Kalakar Award - Lifetime Achievement Award (1999).[3]

Death

Pradeep Kumar died in Calcutta on 27 October 2001, at the age of 76. His daughter Beena Banerjee plays character roles in movies and TV serials including Uttaran; her son Siddharth Banerjee worked as assistant director in Sajid Khan's Housefull 2 (2012) and Himmatwala (2013).[4]

Filmography

Bengali

Pradeep Kumar played Bandit Mohan (Dosshu Mohan in Bengali), a character based on the very popular Bengali crime thriller series "Dossu Mohan".

Hindi films

Year Title
1992 Pyaar Ka Saudagar
1993 Veerta
1997 Athirathan
1991 Yeh Aag Kab Bujhegi
1990 Sher Dil
1989 Aakhri Baazi
1987 Daku Hasina
1986 Mera Dharam
1985 Oonche Log
1984 Laila
Purana Mandir
1983 Gandhi'
Raziya Sultan[5]
1981 Kranti[5]
Plot No. 5
1980 Chambal Ki Kasam
Aakhri Insaaf
1979 Lok Parlok
1978 Tumhari Kasam
Khatta Meetha[6]
Chakravyuha
Ghata
Amar Shakti
1977 Kalabaaz
Dharam Veer
1976 Do Anjaane
Parmatma
1975 Pratigya
Kaagaz Ki Nao
Chaitali
1974 Hawas
1973 Jalte Badan
1972 Samjhauta
Dur Naheen Manzil
Mangetar
1971 Mehboob Ki Mehndi
1970 Saat Phere
Harishchandra Taramati
1968 Sambandh
1967 Wahan Ke Log
Grihadaha
Noor Jehan[5]
Raat Aur Din
Bahu Begum[5][2]
1966 Do Dilon Ki Dastaan
Afsana
1965 Mahabharat
Bheegi Raat
Saheli
Zindagi Aur Maut
Sindbad Alibaba & Aladin
1964 Chitralekha[6]
Baghi
1963 Jab Se Tumhen Dekha Hai
Ustadon Ke Ustad
Laakho Vanzaro (Gujarati Movie)
Mulzim
Taj Mahal[5][2][6]
Mere Armaan Mere Sapne
Meri Surat Teri Aankhen
1962 Half Ticket (Guest Appearance)
Aarti[5][2][6]
Banto (Punjabi Movie)
Rakhi
1961 Passport[2]
Apsara
Modern Girl
Batwara
Sanjog
1960 Mitti Mein Sona
Tu Nahin Aur Sahi
Ghunghat[5][6]
Mehlon Ke Khwab
1959 Pyar Ki Rahen
Duniya Na Mane
Jawani Ki Hawa[5]
Naya Sansar
1958 Zindagi Ya Toofan[5]
Taxi 555
Detective
Police
Adalat
1957 Yahudi Ki Ladki
Ek Jhalak
Naya Zamana
Fashion
Gateway Of India
Hill Station
Miss India
1956 Bandhan
Heer
Anjaan
Dhola Maru
'Durgesh Nandini
Ek Shola
Jagte Raho
Guest Appearance
Arab Ka Saudagar
Patrani
Jayshree
Taj
Shirin Farhad
Raj Hath
1955 Albeli
Hoor-E-Arab
Sitara
Adl-e-Jehangir
1954 Badshah[2]
Hamlet
[Guest Appearance]
Malka-e-Alam
Noorjehan
Subah Ka Tara
Nagin[2][6]
1953 Anarkali[2][6]
1952 Anand Math

References

  1. ^ "Pradeep Kumar movies, filmography, biography and songs". Cinestaan.com website. Archived from the original on 22 July 2018. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i (Dinesh Raheja) Ever the royal Rediff.com website, Published 2 June 2003, Retrieved 16 February 2023
  3. ^ "Kalakar Awards". Kalakar Awards website. Archived from the original on 20 February 2008. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  4. ^ "Sajid Khan's starry affair in Himmatwala". Hindustan Times. 9 March 2013. Archived from the original on 13 March 2013. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  5. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Pradeep Kumar filmography". Upperstall.com website. Archived from the original on 6 August 2011. Retrieved 16 February 2023.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g Sonal Pandya. "The celebrated roles of Pradeep Kumar: Death anniversary special". Cinestaan.com website. Archived from the original on 14 June 2021. Retrieved 16 February 2023.

External links

  • An article from rediff.com
  • Pradeep Kumar at IMDb
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