SI of Police emerged as Hindi Cinema’s Legendary actor – Raajkumar
SI of Police emerged as Hindi Cinema’s Legendary actor – Raajkumar
Not many may be versed that Raajkumar was once a Sub-Inspector of Police in Mumbai. He was destined to become an actor. Once director Baldev visited the police station and he was much impressed with his dialogue delivery and offered him “Shahi Bazaar.
The legendary Raaj Kumar, was born *Kulbhushan Pandit* in Loralai, Balochistan (now in Pakistan).
One of his friends encouraged him to become an actor and Raajkumar quit his police job to take up acting as a career. He made his debut in 1952 at 26 with film “Rangeeli”. Over his career, he appeared in nearly 70 films, leaving his mark in classics like *Mother India*, *Hamraaz*, and *Heer Raanjha* and many others.
Raajkumar’s off-screen persona was just as legendary as his on-screen presence. His
off-screen persona was just as legendary as his on-screen presence. In a famous incident amidst the filming of *Jungbaaz* released in 1989, Govinda gifted him a shirt he admired. Days later, Govinda saw Rajkumar had cut it into a handkerchief, an act that summed up his irreverent, royal attitude.
Big Stars avoided working with him.
Filmmaker Mehul Kumar recalled the challenges of casting him in his directorial *Tirangaa*. While Naseeruddin Shah and Rajinikanth both declined roles citing concerns over sharing screen space with him, Nana Patekar finally agreed under the condition that Rajkumar wouldn’t interfere in his work. Rajkumar simply said, *“Mehul! Go ahead.”* The film was completed in six months and turned out to be a blockbuster success at the box-office.
It was the actor’s insistence to spell his screen name with a double ‘A’ *Raajkumar*. When a film banner once printed it incorrectly, he immediately ordered it to be changed, saying in his trademark style, *“Jaani… don’t you know it’s not RAJKUMAR but RAAJKUMAR?”*
True to his persona, Raajkumar lived and worked with unmatched pride, commanding a presence so powerful that even the biggest stars thought twice before sharing the frame with him. His style, charisma, and fearless personality have kept his legacy alive decades after his last shot. All said he was a master in dialogue delivery.
That’s Raajkumar.
News Edit KV Raman
