Sanjeev Kumar, born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala and fondly known as Haribhai, was born in Surat, Gujarat, into a traditional Gujarati family. In childhood, his family moved to Mumbai, where his passion for cinema blossomed. He enrolled in a reputed film institute, which marked the beginning of his journey in Indian cinema. Gifted with immense talent, he rose to become one of the most versatile and respected actors in the industry.
Sanjeev Kumar, born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala and fondly known as Haribhai, was born in Surat, Gujarat, into a traditional Gujarati family. In childhood, his family moved to Mumbai, where his passion for cinema blossomed. He enrolled in a reputed film institute, which marked the beginning of his journey in Indian cinema. Gifted with immense talent, he rose to become one of the most versatile and respected actors in the industry.
He had a sister and two younger brothers and was fluent in Gujarati, Hindi, and English. Sanjeev began his career on stage with IPTA and the Indian National Theatre. Even at 22, he impressed audiences by portraying elderly characters, such as in All My Sons and Damru, directed by A.K. Hangal.
He made his screen debut with a small role in Hum Hindustani (1960) and got his first lead in Nishan (1965). He acted in Gujarati films Kalapi (1966) and Mare Javun Pele Par (1968). His breakthrough came with Khilona (1970), a Hindi remake of the latter. He starred in notable films like Sangharsh (1968), Sachaai (1969), and even in an Indo-Iranian film in 1972.
Sanjeev Kumar won the National Film Award for Best Actor twice for Dastak (1971) and Koshish (1973). He also won Filmfare Awards for Shikar (1969), Sholay (1975), Aandhi ,(1976) and Arjun Pandit (1977), Trishul (1979), Angoor and Vidhaata(1983)cementing his legacy as one of Indian cinema's greatest performers.
As part of his government recognition, several honours have been bestowed upon Sanjeev Kumar in his hometown of Surat. A prominent road named Sanjeev Kumar Marg stands as a lasting tribute, inaugurated by veteran actor Sunil Dutt. Additionally, a school bearing his name was opened by the then Mayor, Kadir K. Pirzada. On a national level, India Post released a commemorative postage stamp in his honour on 3 May 2013, marking his immense contribution to Indian cinema. One of the most notable tributes is the Sanjeev Kumar Auditorium, a state-of-the-art facility built by the Surat Municipal Corporation at a cost of ₹108 crore. This cultural landmark was inaugurated on 14 February 2014 by the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi (now India’s Prime Minister). Sanjeev Kumar Udhyan in Mota Varachha was officially inaugurated by the Surat Municipal Corporation on 5 June 2018.
TMDB mini biography by: Ashvin Borad
External links
IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/title/nm0474876
Wikipedia: https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1974722
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Filmography (Movies)
Sholay: The Final Cut
Character:Thakur Baldev Singh
Release Date:12/12/2025
Professor Ki Padosan
Character:Professor Vidhyadhar
Release Date:22/07/1994
Oonch Neech Beech
Character:Hariram Pandey
Release Date:28/07/1989
Namumkin
Character:Freindly Appearance
Release Date:01/01/1988
Raahee
Character:
Release Date:29/05/1987
Love and God
Character:Qais-E-Emir (Majnu)
Release Date:27/05/1986
Kaanch Ki Deewar
Character:Jaswant 'Jassu' Singh / Dhurjan Singh
Release Date:31/01/1986
Qatl
Character:Rakesh
Release Date:24/01/1986
Baat Ban Jaye
Character:Suraj Singh
Release Date:01/01/1986
Haathon Ki Lakeeren
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1986
Zabardast
Character:Ratan Kumar / Ramesh Kumar
Release Date:21/06/1985
Ram Tere Kitne Nam
Character:
Release Date:15/02/1985
Meraa Dost Meraa Dushman
Character:Goli Chacha
Release Date:25/11/1984
Yaadgaar
Character:
Release Date:20/07/1984
Lakhon Ki Baat
Character:Prem Sagar
Release Date:06/07/1984
Pakhandee
Character:Ashok Ahuja
Release Date:06/01/1984
Bad Aur Badnaam
Character:James Carlo
Release Date:01/01/1984
Hero
Character:Damodar Mathur
Release Date:16/12/1983
Ayaash
Character:Thakur Jaswant Singh
Release Date:15/10/1982
Vidhaata
Character:Abu Baba
Release Date:03/09/1982
Sawaal
Character:
Release Date:21/05/1982
Namkeen
Character:
Release Date:02/04/1982
Suraag
Character:
Release Date:18/03/1982
Angoor
Character:Ashok Tilak
Release Date:05/03/1982
Shriman Shrimati
Character:Shriman Shankar Lal
Release Date:05/03/1982
Khud-Daar
Character:Hari Srivastav
Release Date:12/02/1982
Haathkadi
Character:Harimohan / Rai Bahadur Gopaldas Mittal / Saakhiya
Release Date:15/01/1982
Silsila
Character:Dr. V.K.Anand
Release Date:29/07/1981
Daasi
Character:Anand
Release Date:26/06/1981
Itni Si Baat
Character:
Release Date:28/05/1981
Biwi O Biwi
Character:Colonel Mangal Singh / Shankar / Commander Chatur Singh
Release Date:15/05/1981
Chehre Pe Chehra
Character:Dr. Wilson / Blackstone
Release Date:13/03/1981
Hum Paanch
Character:Krishna
Release Date:27/11/1980
Be-Reham
Character:Police Commissioner Kumar Anand
Release Date:15/08/1980
Swayamvar
Character:Ram
Release Date:28/04/1980
Takkar
Character:Suraj
Release Date:18/04/1980
Abdullah
Character:Ameer
Release Date:07/03/1980
Nauker
Character:Amar
Release Date:07/12/1979
Kaala Patthar
Character:Doctor Mathur (uncredited)
Release Date:09/08/1979
Griha Pravesh
Character:Amar
Release Date:28/07/1979
Jaani Dushman
Character:Thakur (Shera's Father)
Release Date:22/05/1979
Devata
Character:
Release Date:03/11/1978
Trishna
Character:Dr. Sunil Gupta
Release Date:15/07/1978
Pati Patni Aur Woh
Character:Ranjeet Chhadha
Release Date:07/07/1978
Muqaddar
Character:Inspector Vijay Saxena
Release Date:31/05/1978
Trishul
Character:Raj Kumar Gupta
Release Date:05/05/1978
Swarg Narak
Character:Pandit Sohanlal Tripathi
Release Date:01/01/1978
Tumhare Liye
Character:Prakash
Release Date:01/01/1978
Sawan Ke Geet
Character:Kishan
Release Date:01/01/1978
Yehi Hai Zindagi
Character:Anand
Release Date:03/10/1977
The Chess Players
Character:Mirza Sajjad Ali
Release Date:02/10/1977
Mukti
Character:Ratan
Release Date:14/08/1977
Dhoop Chhaon
Character:Dr. Paras
Release Date:23/03/1977
Alaap
Character:Raja Bahadur (Guest Appearance)
Release Date:12/03/1977
Vishwasghaat
Character:Mahesh
Release Date:10/02/1977
Paapi
Character:Ashok Roy
Release Date:02/02/1977
Uyarnthavargal
Character:
Release Date:14/01/1977
Immaan Dharam
Character:Kabir Das
Release Date:07/01/1977
Apnapan
Character:Raja Yashpal Singh
Release Date:01/01/1977
Chala Murari Hero Banne
Character:Self
Release Date:01/01/1977
Zindagi
Character:Raghu Shukla
Release Date:31/12/1976
Arjun Pandit
Character:
Release Date:16/04/1976
Mausam
Character:Dr. Amarnath Gill
Release Date:25/12/1975
Apne Dushman
Character:Dr. Mehta…
Release Date:19/11/1975
Faraar
Character:Inspector Sanjay
Release Date:11/11/1975
Sholay
Character:Thakur Baldev Singh
Release Date:15/08/1975
Uljhan
Character:
Release Date:22/07/1975
Aakraman
Character:Major Ajay Verma
Release Date:14/05/1975
Aandhi
Character:J.K.
Release Date:13/02/1975
Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1975
Kunwara Baap
Character:Doctor
Release Date:12/08/1974
Naya Din Nai Raat
Character:Anand/Dr.Kriparam/Sarang/Swami Rahasyanand/Gorakh/Dhanraj/Phool Kunwar/I.G.P.Sher Singh
Release Date:07/05/1974
Aap Ki Kasam
Character:Mohan
Release Date:17/04/1974
Manoranjan
Character:Constable Ratan 'Sheru'
Release Date:11/01/1974
Shandaar
Character:Rajan 'Rajju' 'Boss'
Release Date:01/01/1974
Charitraheen
Character:Indrajeet "Inder" Mukharjee
Release Date:01/01/1974
Chowkidar
Character:Dr. Shyam
Release Date:01/01/1974
Imaan
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1974
Manchali
Character:Sushil Kumar
Release Date:26/10/1973
Agni Rekha
Character:
Release Date:15/06/1973
Anamika
Character:Devendra Dutt
Release Date:18/05/1973
Anhonee
Character:Sunil
Release Date:26/04/1973
Bharatha Vilas
Character:Hindi actor
Release Date:24/03/1973
Sabse Bada Sukh
Character:Narrator
Release Date:08/12/1972
Seeta and Geeta
Character:Ravi
Release Date:17/11/1972
Parichay
Character:Nilesh
Release Date:18/10/1972
Koshish
Character:Hari Charan Mathur
Release Date:01/04/1972
Rivaaj
Character:Shekhar
Release Date:01/01/1972
Paras
Character:
Release Date:11/07/1971
Purani Pehchan
Character:
Release Date:04/05/1971
Homaye Sa'adat
Character:Naser
Release Date:21/03/1971
Ek Paheli
Character:Police Inspector (Special Appearance)
Release Date:14/02/1971
Anubhav
Character:Amar Sen
Release Date:07/01/1971
Man Mandir
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1971
Kangan
Character:Dr. Sunil 'Sonu'
Release Date:01/01/1971
Dastak
Character:Hamid Ahmed
Release Date:31/12/1970
Khilona
Character:Vijay Kamal Singh
Release Date:02/03/1970
Bachpan
Character:
Release Date:19/01/1970
Priya
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1970
Devi
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1970
Night in Calcutta
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1970
Gustakhi Maaf
Character:Jai
Release Date:18/06/1969
Oos Raat Ke Baad
Character:Thakur Sunder Singh
Release Date:03/05/1969
Satyakam
Character:Narendra 'Naren' Sharma
Release Date:02/01/1969
Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1969
Bandhan
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1969
Sachaai
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1969
Sunghursh
Character:Dwarka N. Prasad
Release Date:27/07/1968
Aashirwad
Character:Doctor Biren
Release Date:18/06/1968
Saathi
Character:Dr. Ashok
Release Date:17/01/1968
Saathi
Character:
Release Date:17/01/1968
Gauri
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1968
Shikar
Character:Police Inspector Rai
Release Date:01/01/1968
Anokhi Raat
Character:Baldev 'Baldeva' Singh
Release Date:01/01/1968
Naunihal
Character:
Release Date:10/04/1967
Gunehgar
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1967
Pati Patni
Character:Amar
Release Date:14/06/1966
Smuggler
Character:Mohan
Release Date:01/01/1966
Alibaba and 40 Thieves
Character:Ali Baba
Release Date:01/01/1966
Kalapi
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1966
Badal
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1966
Husn Aur Ishq
Character:Ashiq Hussain
Release Date:01/01/1966
Nishan
Character:
Release Date:01/01/1965
Aao Pyaar Karein
Character:Hari
Release Date:01/06/1964
Hum Hindustani
Character:
Release Date:22/03/1960
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