Remembering actor Sujit Kumar 1934-2010

Sujit Kumar (born Shamsher Singh; 7 February 1934 – 5 February 2010) was an Indian film actor and producer. He appeared in over 150 Hindi films in the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, and 25 films in Bhojpuri. From the late 1990s, he primarily worked with production. Kumar was considered a major actor in Bhojpuri cinema. He played pivotal roles either as a villain or as a character actor. One of his most notable roles was as a man playing the mouth organ while driving a jeep in the 1969 film Aradhana and subsequent 12 films with Rajesh Khanna.

Hindi cinema
Sujit was the leading man in the suspense flicks in Hindi in early sixties like Lal Bangla (1966) and Ek Saal Pehle (1965). He was always part of the films with Rajesh Khanna as the lead hero like in 'Aradhana', Ittefaq, Aan Milo Sajna, Haathi Mere Saathi, Amar Prem, Mere Jeevan Saathi, Roti, Mehbooba, Avtaar, Aakhir Kyon?, Amrit.

His other notable roles include that of a spy in Ramanand Sagar's Aankein (1968), Naya Raasta (1970), Jugnu (1973), Hamrahi (1999), Charas (1976), Dharamveer (1977), Dev Anand's Des Pardes, Burning Train, Kaamchor, Krantiveer, Tiranga and many more. He produced big budget movies like Asmaan Se Ooncha (1989), Daraar (1996) Champion (2000), Konchem Ishtam Konchem Kashtam (2009) . His best friends from the film industry were Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra, Rakesh Roshan, the two with whom Sujit used to hit the gym regularly and other close friends included producer Saawan Kumar Tak and Randhir Kapoor as all of them practically grew up together in the Hindi Film industry since the early sixties.

Bhojpuri cinema
He appeared in such films as Bidesiya, Loha Singh, Dangal, Pan Khaye Saiyya Hamar, Champa Chameli, Patoh Bitiya, Sajanwa Bairi Bhaile Hamar , Nag Panchami, Saiyya Se Bhaile Milanawa, Aaeel Basant Bahar, Bidhana Nach Nachawe, Mai Ke Lal, Sampurna Teerth Yatra, Sajai Da Maang Hamar, Saiyya Magan Pahalwani Me, Ganga Kahe Pukar Ke, Ganga Jaisan Bhauji Hamar and Ganga Hamar Mai.

Death
Kumar died in 2010 of cancer, an illness from which he was suffering since 2007. At the time of his death he was survived by his two children Jatin Kumar and a daughter Henna. A condolence meeting took place on February 8, 2010, at the Indian Medical Association, beside PVR Cinema, Juhu, Mumbai where many of his friends from the industry like the whole of Kapoor family, Rakesh Roshan's family, and Rajesh Khanna paid their last respects.