Remembering Vijay Arora 1944-2007

Vijay Arora (27 December 1944 – 2 February 2007) was an actor in Hindi films and television serials, most famous for his roles in Yaadon Ki Baaraat and as Indrajit in the television serial Ramayan. He is not to be confused with another Vijay Arora, who is a cinematographer.
Arora won a gold medal when he graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India in 1971. He made his debut with another newcomer Reena Roy in Zaroorat (1972). He starred with Asha Parekh in Rakhi Aur Hathkadi (1972) and with the guitar-strumming Zeenat Aman in Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973) (featuring the romantic song, "Chura Liya Hai"). Two powerful actresses, Jaya Bhaduri and Waheeda Rehman, played his wife and mother-in-law in Phagun (1973). He starred with Shabana Azmi in Kadambari (1975); with Tanuja in Insaaf (1973); with Parveen Babi in 36 Ghante (1974); and with Moushumi Chatterjee in Natak (1975). Filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee gave him a starring role in the film Sabse Bada Sukh (1973). Other films include Roti, the lead role in Jeevan Jyoti (1976 film) (1976) opposite Bindiya Goswami which was a surprise hit of the year, Sargam (1979), Bade Dil Wala (1983), Jaan Tere Naam (1991) and Indian Babu (2003), where his characters were peripheral to the storyline.

In the late 80s, he found success on the small screen with his role as Meghnad Indrajit in the serial Ramayan directed by Ramanand Sagar. He also appeared in the series Bharat Ek Khoj directed by Shyam Benegal as Prince Salim/Emperor Jahangir.
In 2001, he was seen in two serials, Lakeerein and Talaash, and Ketan Mehta's Pradhan Mantri. He acted in Jaana Na Dil Se Door directed by Vijay Anand. Arora appeared in Gujarati cinema in films like Raja Harish Chandra, with Madhuri Dixit. He had acted in several Hindi and Gujarati plays.[2] He did over 110 films and over 500 broadcast television serial episodes.
Besides acting, Arora also set up his own software house which produced ad films and corporate films. His serial for children, Ek Tara Bole, was an award winner. He was the first in India to make ads and documentary films on using ISO 9000 standards. He did events for the Gem and Jewellery Council of India and was promoter of several imported products like acupuncture massagers and non electric industrial ventilators.
He manufactured playing cards for various Indian corporations and sourced them to Warner Brothers for the movie Superman.
He enjoyed helping students develop the skill and art of acting and was heavily into yoga, health and fitness.