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Sanjeev Kumar

Sanjeev Kumar

Actor · Died November 6, 1985, aged 47 · Surat, Gujarat, India

Sanjeev Kumar, born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala and fondly known as Haribhai, was born in Surat, Gujarat, into a traditional Gujarati family. In childhood, his family moved to Mumbai, where his passion for cinema blossomed. He enrolled in a reputed film institute, which marked the beginning of his journey in Indian cinema. Gifted with immense talent, he rose to become one of the most versatile and respected actors in the industry. He had a sister and two younger brothers and was fluent in Gujarati, Hindi, and English. Sanjeev began his career on stage with IPTA and the Indian National Theatre. Even at 22, he impressed audiences by portraying elderly characters, such as in All My Sons and Damru, directed by A.K. Hangal. He made his screen debut with a small role in Hum Hindustani (1960) and got his first lead in Nishan (1965). He acted in Gujarati films Kalapi (1966) and Mare Javun Pele Par (1968). His breakthrough came with Khilona (1970), a Hindi remake of the latter. He starred in notable films like Sangharsh (1968), Sachaai (1969), and even in an Indo-Iranian film in 1972. Sanjeev Kumar won the National Film Award for Best Actor twice for Dastak (1971) and Koshish (1973). He also won Filmfare Awards for Shikar (1969), Sholay (1975), Aandhi ,(1976) and Arjun Pandit (1977), Trishul (1979), Angoor and Vidhaata(1983)cementing his legacy as one of Indian cinema's greatest performers. As part of his government recognition, several honours have been bestowed upon Sanjeev Kumar in his hometown of Surat. A prominent road named Sanjeev Kumar Marg stands as a lasting tribute, inaugurated by veteran actor Sunil Dutt. Additionally, a school bearing his name was opened by the then Mayor, Kadir K. Pirzada. On a national level, India Post released a commemorative postage stamp in his honour on 3 May 2013, marking his immense contribution to Indian cinema. One of the most notable tributes is the Sanjeev Kumar Auditorium, a state-of-the-art facility built by the Surat Municipal Corporation at a cost of ₹108 crore. This cultural landmark was inaugurated on 14 February 2014 by the then Chief Minister of Gujarat, Narendra Modi (now India’s Prime Minister). Sanjeev Kumar Udhyan in Mota Varachha was officially inaugurated by the Surat Municipal Corporation on 5 June 2018. TMDB mini biography by: Ashvin Borad

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
July 9, 1938
Died
November 6, 1985 (aged 47)
From
Surat, Gujarat, India
Works as
Actor
Titles
17 on MovieCove · 125 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 38 days to Oct 27Up 23% in 30 days

What are Sanjeev Kumar's films like?

Across their 16 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Morality.

Genres

Comedy7 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 59th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 67th percentile
: browse their Action movies
Drama3 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 80th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies
Mystery2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 73rd percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Mystery movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
44%
Morality
29%
Self
12%
Power
9%
Society
3%
Survival
2%
Family bonds7 titles, browse their movies with this themeMarriage3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love3 titles, browse their movies with this themeRedemption4 titles, browse their movies with this themeSacrifice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeDeception3 titles, browse their movies with this themePower2 titles, browse their movies with this themePurpose2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 16 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Serious: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their serious movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

A split, not a type: Light 6 · Serious 5 · Dark 5

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

A split, not a type: Grounded 7 · Stylized 6 · Heightened 3

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 5 · Charged 8 · Intense 3

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 6 · Shifting 9 · Whiplash 1

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

A split, not a type: Straight-faced 6 · Some laughs 5 · Funny 5

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 8 · Even-paced 8 · Relentless 0

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 10 · Engaged 6 · Full focus 0

Affecting: How much it costs you emotionally; whether you need recovery time. Browse their affecting movies.
Demand · Emotional cost
easyheavy

A split, not a type: Easy watch 7 · Affecting 5 · Heavy 4

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 13 · Open-ended 3 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

12 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 4 of 12 analyzed roles.

Hero
4 of 12
Shadow
2 of 12
Mentor
2 of 12
Trickster
2 of 12
Herald
1 of 12
Ally
1 of 12
Show the 12 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
8
Melancholic
9
Joyful
6
Romantic
6
Hopeful
4
Other
11

How their films linger

Feel-good8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet7 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHaunting2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 8 with a twist

  • Happy6
  • Bittersweet8
  • Tragic1
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Sanjeev Kumar's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 12 of their 17 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service.

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Sanjeev Kumar's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

125 credits, 17 with a MovieCove page; 1 appearance as themselves is hidden until asked for.

  • Professor Ki Padosan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1994)

    as Professor Vidhyadhar

  • Oonch Neech Beech (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1989)

    as Hariram Pandey

  • Namumkin (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1988)

    as Freindly Appearance

  • Raahee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • Love and God (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Qais-E-Emir (Majnu)

  • Kaanch Ki Deewar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Jaswant 'Jassu' Singh / Dhurjan Singh

  • Qatl (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    as Rakesh

  • Baat Ban Jaye(1986)

    as Suraj Singh

    Midcredits score: 62nd percentile of all films

  • Haathon Ki Lakeeren (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Zabardast (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    as Ratan Kumar / Ramesh Kumar

  • Ram Tere Kitne Nam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Actor

  • Meraa Dost Meraa Dushman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Goli Chacha

  • Yaadgaar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    Actor

  • Lakhon Ki Baat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Prem Sagar

  • Pakhandee (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as Ashok Ahuja

  • Bad Aur Badnaam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1984)

    as James Carlo

  • Hero (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    as Damodar Mathur

  • Ayaash (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Thakur Jaswant Singh

  • Vidhaata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Abu Baba

  • Sawaal(1982)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • Namkeen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Suraag (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    Actor

  • Angoor (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Ashok Tilak

  • Shriman Shrimati (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Shriman Shankar Lal

  • Khud-Daar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Hari Srivastav

  • Haathkadi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Harimohan / Rai Bahadur Gopaldas Mittal / Saakhiya

  • Log Kya Kahenge (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1982)

    as Dr. Jeevan

  • Silsila(1981)

    as Dr. V.K.Anand

    Midcredits score: 80th percentile of all films

  • Daasi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Anand

  • Itni Si Baat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    Actor

  • Biwi O Biwi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Colonel Mangal Singh / Shankar / Commander Chatur Singh

  • Chehre Pe Chehra (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1981)

    as Dr. Wilson / Blackstone

  • Hum Paanch (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Krishna

  • Be-Reham (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Police Commissioner Kumar Anand

  • Fauji Chacha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    Actor

  • Swayamvar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Ram

  • Takkar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Suraj

  • Abdullah (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1980)

    as Ameer

  • Nauker(1979)

    as Amar

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Kaala Patthar(1979)

    as Doctor Mathur

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Griha Pravesh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Amar

  • Jaani Dushman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1979)

    as Thakur (Shera's Father)

  • Devata (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    Actor

  • Trishna (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Dr. Sunil Gupta

  • Pati Patni Aur Woh(1978)

    as Ranjeet Chhadha

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Muqaddar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Inspector Vijay Saxena

  • Trishul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Raj Kumar Gupta

  • Summer Rain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Kishan

  • Swarg Narak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Pandit Sohanlal Tripathi

  • Tumhare Liye (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1978)

    as Prakash

  • Yehi Hai Zindagi(1977)

    as Anand

    Midcredits score: 87th percentile of all films

  • The Chess Players (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Mirza Sajjad Ali

  • Mukti (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Ratan

  • Dhoop Chhaon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Dr. Paras

  • Alaap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Raja Bahadur (Guest Appearance)

  • Vishwasghaat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Mahesh

  • Paapi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Ashok Roy

  • Uyarnthavargal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    Actor

  • Immaan Dharam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Kabir Das

  • Apnapan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1977)

    as Raja Yashpal Singh

  • Zindagi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    as Raghu Shukla

  • Arjun Pandit (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1976)

    Actor

  • The Season(1975)

    as Dr. Amarnath Gill

    Midcredits score: 89th percentile of all films

  • Apne Dushman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Dr. Mehta…

  • Faraar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Inspector Sanjay

  • Sholay(1975)

    as Thakur Baldev Singh

    Midcredits score: 95th percentile of all films

  • Uljhan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    Actor

  • Aakraman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as Major Ajay Verma

  • Aandhi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1975)

    as J.K.

  • Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty(1975)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Kunwara Baap (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Doctor

  • Naya Din Nai Raat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Anand/Dr.Kriparam/Sarang/Swami Rahasyanand/Gorakh/Dhanraj/Phool Kunwar/I.G.P.Sher Singh

  • Aap Ki Kasam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Mohan

  • Manoranjan(1974)

    as Constable Ratan 'Sheru'

    Midcredits score: 59th percentile of all films

  • Charitraheen (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Indrajeet "Inder" Mukharjee

  • Chowkidar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Dr. Shyam

  • Imaan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    Actor

  • Shandaar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1974)

    as Rajan 'Rajju' 'Boss'

  • Manchali (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Sushil Kumar

  • Agni Rekha (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Girl Without a Name(1973)

    as Devendra Dutt

    Midcredits score: 79th percentile of all films

  • Anhonee(1973)

    as Sunil

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Bharatha Vilas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    as Hindi actor

  • Rocky Mera Naam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1973)

    Actor

  • Sabse Bada Sukh (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Narrator

  • Seeta and Geeta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Ravi

  • Parichay(1972)

    as Nilesh

    Midcredits score: 91st percentile of all films

  • Koshish (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Hari Charan Mathur

  • Rivaaj (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1972)

    as Shekhar

  • Paras (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Purani Pehchan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Homaye Sa'adat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Naser

  • Ek Paheli (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Police Inspector (Special Appearance)

  • Anubhav (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Amar Sen

  • Kangan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    as Dr. Sunil 'Sonu'

  • Man Mandir (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1971)

    Actor

  • Dastak (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Hamid Ahmed

  • Khilona (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    as Vijay Kamal Singh

  • Bachpan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Actor

  • Devi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Actor

  • Night in Calcutta (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Actor

  • Priya (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1970)

    Actor

  • Gustakhi Maaf(1969)

    as Jai

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Oos Raat Ke Baad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Thakur Sunder Singh

  • Satyakam (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    as Narendra 'Naren' Sharma

  • Bandhan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • Sachaai (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1969)

    Actor

  • Sunghursh(1968)

    as Dwarka N. Prasad

    Midcredits score: 67th percentile of all films

  • Aashirwad (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Doctor Biren

  • Saathi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Dr. Ashok

  • Anokhi Raat (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Baldev 'Baldeva' Singh

  • Gauri (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    Actor

  • Shikar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1968)

    as Police Inspector Rai

  • Naunihal (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • Gunehgar (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1967)

    Actor

  • Pati Patni (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Amar

  • Alibaba and 40 Thieves (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Ali Baba

  • Badal(1966)

    Actor

    Midcredits score: 56th percentile of all films (provisional, few ratings)

  • Husn Aur Ishq (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Ashiq Hussain

  • Kalapi (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    Actor

  • Smuggler (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1966)

    as Mohan

  • Nishan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1965)

    Actor

  • Aao Pyaar Karein (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1964)

    as Hari

  • Hum Hindustani (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1960)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 90th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 125 titles from 1960 to 1994; peak year 1976.

Highest rated

Sholay (1975)

Midcredits 95th

Film career

19601994

Peak 1976 · steadily prominent in film for years. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

  • 1972Screen debut· Seeta and Geeta
  • 1977First top-billed film· The Chess Players

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting125 of 125: 125 only acting, 0 with another role · typical Midcredits score67th

By decade

1960s23 · acting1970s64 · acting1980s37 · acting1990s1 · acting

Billing

usually 2nd · top billed in 40% of 5 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Sanjeev Kumar's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 67th percentile, the median of all 17; across their 16 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 61st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

61stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Approval · how many liked their films

73rdpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Reach · how many have seen their films

15thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 16

Midcredits score across 17 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th7
  • 25th to 49th2
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

6 of their 17 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved4
  • Cult Classic3
  • Crowd Pleaser6
  • Mixed4

Most divisive · actor

Dhoti Lota Aur Chowpatty (1975)

88th percentile spread · 61% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Sholay (1975)

Midcredits 95th · 88% liked

Reviewers score the acting 80/100 in their films, across 11 reviewed titles; fans 85, detractors 56. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Who does Sanjeev Kumar work with?

People who share at least 2 of Sanjeev Kumar's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jaya Bachchan shares the most, 5.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers, cinematographers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles