Opening Doorz

By Our Staff Writer| Opening Doorz Editorial | May  16, 2021

Bollywood: Stars of the ’50s and ’60s 

Dilip Kumar (B 1922)

Dilip Kumar was one of the top stars of the ’50s and the ’60s. Born in Peshawar in Pakistan in a Pathan family of 12 children, Dilip was earlier called Yusuf Khan. His family moved to Bombay as fruit merchants. Devika Rani recruited him for Bombay Talkies and Bhagwati Charan Varma, a noted Hindi novelist renamed him, Dilip Kumar. He attained his stardom with Jugnu and achieved a reputation for naturalist acting. Andaz brought him superstardom where he acted opposite Nargis. His films often showed him as a tragic romantic hero especially in Deedar where he blinds himself, and as the lovesick aristocrat in Devdas. In his films, he is often shown as a loner caught amidst social pressures. 

Some of his popular films

Andaz, Aan, Daag, Footpath, Deedar, Devdas, Naya Daur, Madhumati, Mughal-e-Azam, Ganga Jumna, Dil Diya Dard Liya, Ram Aur Shyam, Sangharsh, Kranti, Shakti, Karma and Saudagar among others. 

Rajendra Kumar (1929-2000) 

Rajendra Kumar was born in Sialkot, west Punjab and was earlier called R.K. Tuli. He ushered in the era of musical romances in the ’60s and is popularly known as ‘Jubilee Kumar’ because his films always had a jubilee run. He worked as an assistant to director H S Rawail and played a small role in his film Patanga. He was introduced by Kidar Sharma in Jogan and also in a leading role in Awaaz. His first major starring role was in V Shantaram’s Toofan Aur Diya. Earlier, he was taken in for his resemblance to Dilip Kumar but later on, he was able to establish his brand of films. In 1981 he launched his son Kumar Gaurav and successfully directed Love Story which was one of the major hits of the early eighties.

Some of his popular films

Awaaz, Toofan Aur Diya, Mother India, Dhool Ka Phool, Gunj Uthi Shehnai, Kanoon, Mehndi Rang Lagyo, Dil Ek Mandir, Mere Mehboob, Aayi Milan Ki Bela, Sangam, Arzoo, Mera Naam Joker, Do Jasoos etc.

Also Read: Raj Kapoor