Mumbai, February 6: In the history of Hindi cinema, when discussing the iconic roles of police officers in khaki uniforms, the face of actor Sujit Kumar comes to mind. He portrayed the role of a police inspector so frequently that it became synonymous with his identity. Throughout his extensive career, he took on various roles, ranging from comedic to serious, but his persona in police attire captured the hearts of many.
Sujit Kumar was born on February 7, 1934, in a farmer’s family in the Chakia area of Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. His real name was Shamsher Bahadur Singh. He was academically gifted and pursued a law degree, aspiring to become a lawyer. However, fate had a different path in store for him. During college, he caught the attention of renowned director Phani Majumdar while performing in a play. His powerful voice and confidence impressed the director, leading to a significant change in Sujit’s life as he moved to Mumbai.
Sujit Kumar began his acting career in 1954 with the film ‘Taxi Driver.’ Initially, he received small and supporting roles. Whether as a friend, a villain, or a mysterious character, he gradually won the hearts of audiences. In the 1960s and 70s, he appeared in numerous suspense and thriller films. However, he gained true recognition when he began portraying police inspectors. His commanding voice and serious demeanor were perfect for these roles.
His sharp inspector character in the film ‘Ittefaq’ remains memorable to this day. Following this, he played police officers in films such as ‘Amiri Gharib,’ ‘The Burning Train,’ ‘Takkar,’ ‘Boxer,’ ‘Kaidi,’ ‘Haqeeqat,’ ‘Kala Dhandha Gore Log,’ ‘Tiranga,’ and ‘Krantiveer.’ He became popularly known as the ‘film police inspector’ among audiences, and it is said that he donned the police uniform more than any other actor in Hindi cinema.
Sujit Kumar’s contributions were not limited to Hindi cinema. He is regarded as the first superstar of Bhojpuri cinema. Films like ‘Ganga Maiya Tohe Piyari,’ ‘Bidesia,’ ‘Dangal,’ and ‘Paan Khaye Saiyan Hamaar’ made him a household name in Purvanchal and Bihar.
He also ventured into film production, collaborating with his wife Kiran Singh to produce films such as ‘Khel,’ ‘Darar,’ and ‘Champion.’ In recognition of his contributions, he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award in Bhojpuri cinema.
In his later years, he battled serious illnesses, including cancer. Sujit Kumar passed away on February 5, 2010, just two days before his 76th birthday.