Remembering Rajender Kumar on his birthday.

Rajender Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor The viewers remember Jubilee Kumar Rajender Kumar on his birthday on 20th July, 2012. He had died few years back and his viewers all over India and outside India had mourned the death of the legendary romantic actor. From 1963 to 1966, all his films celebrated silver jubilees. From that time he became Jubilee Kumar. His films were designed in the same lines as that of Dilip Kumar, and he was successful in getting appreciation of the refined viewers of the country. Right from Goonj Uthi Shehnai, he acted in roles which were sacrificing nature and most of the roles touched the hearts of the viewers. He was sublime in Mere Mehboob and Aarzoo opposite Sadhna, Dil Ek Mandir, Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan, opposite Meena Kumari. He acted in many films opposite Vaijayantimala and most of them ended up becoming superhit films, including Zindagi, Sangam, Aas Ka Panchi, Ganwar, Suraj, Saathi, to name a few. Mere Mehboob ended up being the biggest blockbuster in 1963, surpassing the other successful films made that year including Taj Mahal and Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon. Rajender Kumar acted in superhit films opposite Saira Banu as well including Ayee Milan Ki Bela in 1964, Jhuk Gaya Aasman in 1968, Aman in 1967, etc. Rajender Kumar’s films were also remembered by the audience for their everlasting music composed by Shankar Jaikishan and Naushad. SJ’s music in the film Ayee Milan Ki Bela released in 1964, with Rafi’s songs like “mai pyar ka diwana”, “aha ayee Milan ki bela”, “o sanam tere ho gaye hum”, “tum khamseen ho”, “to bura maan gaye” became invaluable hits. SJ’s music in the film Suraj, released in 1966, was equally impressive with Rafi’s songs like “chehere pe giri zulfein”, “kaise samjhayun”, “baharon phool barsao”, “itna hai tujhse pyar mujhe”, etc., storming bollywood in the mid-60s. The sad songs of Rafi composed by Shankar Jaikishan for Rajender Kumar had become immortal over the years like “yaad na jaye”, “dil ke mandir hai” sung in the film Dil Ek Mandir, “surahidaar garden koel si hi awaz” in Aman, “saccha hai ghar” in Jhuk Gaya Aasman, “khuda bhi aasman se” in Dharti, “meherbaan likhoon” in Sangam, to name a few. Naushad gave his career’s best music in the film Mere Mehboob. All the songs sung by Rafi and Lata including “mere mehboob tujhe”, “ai husn zara jag tujhe”, “tumse izhaar – e – haal”, etc., astonishing listeners in India and abroad. Also the songs of Palki, like “dil –e –betaab ko seene se lagana hoga”, showed the high quality of ghazals which were given adequate expression by Rafi. Suman Kalyanpur sang the duet song along with Mohammad Rafi. Rajender Kumar produced musical gems during the 70s also. His film Aap Aye Bahar Aye had hit music composed by Laxmikant Pyarellal with successful songs sung by Rafi including “aap aye bahar aye”, “agar tufan nahi ati kinara mila gaya hota”, etc. His superhit film Gora Aur Kala opposite Hema Malini also had hit songs like “tu mere sapno ka rani banegi” sung by Rafi. Rajender Kumar’s film Talash opposite Sharmila Tagore also had brilliant songs composed by SD Burman including Rafi’s brilliant song “palko ke peeche se”. Rajender Kumar never received any filmfare award for his performance, but the viewers in India and abroad acknowledged his creditable performance in most of the films. His films should be revisited.