From Law Student to Legend: The Rise of Bhojpuri Icon Sujit Kumar!

Sujit Kumar: The Man Who Became the First Superstar of Bhojpuri Cinema!

Sujit Kumar was a powerhouse of Indian cinema, leaving an indelible mark as both a legendary leading man in regional films and a versatile character actor in mainstream Bollywood. Often remembered as the man playing the mouth organ in the iconic song "Mere Sapno Ki Rani," his career spanned over four decades, evolving from acting to high-profile film production.

Biography: From Law Student to Screen Legend

Born as Shamsher Bahadur Singh on February 7, 1934, in a village near Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Sujit Kumar’s path to stardom was accidental. While he was studying law, he participated in a college play. His performance caught the eye of the renowned producer-director Phani Majumdar, who was judging the event. Majumdar encouraged him to pursue acting, a suggestion that changed the course of Bhojpuri and Hindi cinema forever.

Kumar's personal life was marked by deep industry friendships. He was a close confidant of Rajesh Khanna, appearing in at least 12 of his films.⁷ He was also part of a famous "inner circle" that included Rakesh Roshan, Jeetendra, and Randhir Kapoor, with whom he shared a lifelong bond.

• Birth Date: February 7, 1934
• Birthplace: Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh
• Education: Law (Incomplete)
• Died:¹² February 5, 2010 (aged 75) in Mumbai due to cancer.

Professional Journey: Dual Stardom

Sujit Kumar's career is unique because he maintained two distinct identities:

1. The Bhojpuri Superstar

He is widely considered the first superstar of Bhojpuri cinema.¹⁴ His debut in Bidesiya (1963) was a cultural phenomenon. In an era when regional cinema was struggling, his film Dangal (1977)—the first Bhojpuri film in color—is credited with single-handedly reviving the industry.

2. The Bollywood Stalwart

In Hindi cinema, Kumar was a staple in big-budget productions. While he played the lead in 1960s suspense thrillers like Lal Bangla, he eventually became one of Bollywood's most reliable character actors, playing everything from the loyal best friend to the menacing villain and the strict police inspector.

 

Notable Filmography

Sujit Kumar appeared in over 150 Hindi films and 25 Bhojpuri films. Below is a curated list of his most significant works.

Key Hindi Movies

Year	Movie	Role	Notable Connection
1969	Aradhana	Madan Verma	Iconic mouth-organ scene with Rajesh Khanna
1971	Haathi Mere Saathi	Gangu	Major hit with Rajesh Khanna
1972	Amar Prem	Mahesh Sharma	Classic drama
1973	Jugnu	Spy/Associate	With Dharmendra
1976	Charas	Police Officer	Frequent role as a cop
1977	Dharam Veer	Prince/Supporting	Period action film
1980	The Burning Train	Inspector Ranveer	High-octane disaster film
1983	Avtaar	Bawarchi/Friend	Emotional family drama

 

Key Bhojpuri Movies

• Bidesiya (1963): His career-defining debut.
• Loha Singh (1966): A massive regional hit.
• Dangal (1977): The film that modernized Bhojpuri cinema.
• Pan Khaye Saiyan Hamar (1984): Notable for featuring cameos by Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha.

Career as a Filmmaker and Producer

In the late 1980s, Sujit Kumar transitioned into film production under his banner. He moved away from small-budget films to produce major Bollywood titles:

• Asmaan Se Ooncha (1989): An early production venture.
• Khel (1992): Starring Anil Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit.
• Daraar (1996): A thriller starring Rishi Kapoor and Juhi Chawla.
• Champion (2000): An action film starring Sunny Deol.
• Aetbaar (2004): His final major production, featuring Amitabh Bachchan and John Abraham.

Legacy

Sujit Kumar passed away on February 5, 2010, just two days shy of his 76th birthday. He is remembered not just as a face in the background of Rajesh Khanna’s songs, but as a pioneer who gave a voice and an identity to Bhojpuri-speaking audiences worldwide.