Editing Sanjeev Kumar

{{Short description|Indian film actor (1938–1985)}}
{{About|the Indian actor|other people with the same name|Sanjeev Kumar (disambiguation)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Sanjeev Kumar
| image = Sanjeev Kumar, Best Actor for Koshish.jpg
| caption = Sanjeev Kumar, {{circa|1973}}
| birth_name = Harihar Jethalal Jariwala
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1938|7|9|df=y}}<ref name=Go>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/sanjeev-kumar-facts-1080532-2017-11-06|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2020|title=Remembering Sanjeev Kumar, the 'Thakur' of Indian cinema|date=6 November 2017|access-date=2 January 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200102171438/https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/gk-current-affairs/story/sanjeev-kumar-facts-1080532-2017-11-06}}</ref>
| birth_place = [[Surat]], [[Bombay Presidency]], [[India]]<br/>(present-day [[Gujarat]], India) 
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1985|11|6|1938|7|9|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Bombay]], [[Maharashtra]], India
| other_names = Haribhai
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1960–1985
| works = [[Sanjeev Kumar filmography|Full list]]
| spouse = 
| partner = 
}}

'''Sanjeev Kumar''' (born '''Harihar Jethalal Jariwala''';<ref name=":0" /> 9 July 1938 – 6 November 1985)<ref name=":0" /> was an Indian actor.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Sanjeev Kumar: The common man's superstar |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/books/2021/dec/19/sanjeev-kumar-the-common-mans-superstar-2396362.html |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=The New Indian Express |archive-date=7 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220507210346/https://www.newindianexpress.com/lifestyle/books/2021/dec/19/sanjeev-kumar-the-common-mans-superstar-2396362.html |url-status=live }}</ref> Considered one of the best Indian actors of all time, he is well remembered for his versatility and genuine portrayal of his characters. He acted in genres ranging from romantic dramas to thrillers and was voted the seventh greatest actor of Indian cinema of all time in a poll conducted by [[Rediff.com]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Readers Choice: The Greatest Indian actors of all time|url=https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-readers-choice-the-finest-indian-actors-of-all-time/20110627.htm|access-date=2021-06-14|website=Rediff|language=en|archive-date=14 June 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210614040357/https://www.rediff.com/movies/slide-show/slide-show-1-readers-choice-the-finest-indian-actors-of-all-time/20110627.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> His [[double role]] in the film ''Angoor'' was listed among the 25 best acting performances of Indian cinema by Forbes India on the occasion of celebrating 100 years of [[Cinema of India|Indian Cinema]].<ref name=":0">[https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Sanjeev-Kumar Sanjeev Kumar: Movies, Photos, Videos, News & Biography | eTimes] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180528202040/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/topic/Sanjeev-Kumar |date=28 May 2018 }}. Timesofindia.indiatimes.com (1938-07-09). Retrieved on 2018-11-08.</ref> 

He won several major awards, including two [[National Film Awards]] for [[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]] for his performances in the movies ''[[Dastak (1970 film)|Dastak]]'' (1970) and ''[[Koshish]]'' (1972). Unlike his peers, Kumar did not mind playing roles that were non-glamorous, such as characters well beyond his age. Movies such as iconic character ''Thakur'' in ''[[Sholay]]'' (1975) ''[[Arjun Pandit (1976 film)|Arjun Pandit]]'' (1976) and ''[[Trishul (film)|Trishul]]'' (1978), along with the remakes of [[Tamil cinema|Tamil films]] into Hindi such as ''[[Khilona (1970 film)|Khilona]]'' (1970), ''[[Naya Din Nai Raat]]'' (1974), ''[[Yehi Hai Zindagi]]'' (1977),  ''[[Devata (1978 film)|Devata]]'' (1978) and ''[[Ram Tere Kitne Naam]]'' (1985) exemplify his versatility. He also did suspense-[[thriller film]]s such as ''[[Shikar (1968 film)|Shikar]]'' (1968), ''[[Uljhan]]'' (1975) and ''[[Trishna (1978 film)|Trishna]]'' (1978) and ''[[Qatl (film)|Qatl]]'' (1986), Kumar also proved himself to do [[Comedy film|comedy]] in films such as ''[[Manchali]]'' (1973), ''[[Pati Patni Aur Woh (1978 film)|Pati Patni Aur Woh]]'' (1978), ''[[Biwi-O-Biwi]]'' (1981) ''[[Angoor (1982 film)|Angoor]]'' (1982) and ''[[Hero (1983 film)|Hero]]'' (1983).

== Early life and background ==
Sanjeev Kumar was born as '''Harihar Jethalal Jariwala''' (also referred to as Haribhai)<ref name=ht12 /><ref name=tri /> on 9 July 1938 in [[Surat]] into a [[Gujarat]]i family.<ref>{{Cite web|title="Sanjeev Kumar had lots of women around him…"|url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/sanjeev-kumar-had-lots-of-women-around-him-14412.html|access-date=2022-01-02|website=filmfare.com|language=en|archive-date=6 December 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211206213521/https://www.filmfare.com/features/sanjeev-kumar-had-lots-of-women-around-him-14412.html|url-status=live}}</ref> He came to Mumbai when he was very young. A stint in a film school led him to [[Bollywood]], where he eventually became an accomplished actor. He is widely acclaimed by the critics and general public alike to be one of the all-time greatest actors that Indian Cinema has ever produced.

Kumar had two younger brothers and one sister. He spoke Gujarati, Hindi and English fluently.

==Career ==
{{main article|Sanjeev Kumar filmography}}
Kumar started his acting career as a stage actor, starting with [[Indian People's Theatre Association|IPTA]] in [[Bombay]] and later joining the Indian National Theatre.<ref name=tri>{{cite web | title = He was an actor for all seasons | publisher = The Sunday Tribune | url = http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000813/spectrum/main3.htm | date = 13 August 2000 | access-date = 2013-08-12 | archive-date = 3 March 2018 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20180303211856/http://www.tribuneindia.com/2000/20000813/spectrum/main3.htm | url-status = live }}</ref> Even as a stage actor, he had a penchant for playing older roles; at age 22, he played an old man in an adaptation of [[Arthur Miller's]] ''[[All My Sons]]''. In the following year, in the play ''[[Damru]]'' directed by [[A.K. Hangal]], he again played the role of a 60-year-old with six children.<ref name=ht12 />

He made his film debut with a small role in ''[[Hum Hindustani]]'' in 1960.<ref name=Kale>{{Cite web |title=Fans remember legendary actor Sanjeev Kumar on his 82nd birth anniversary |url=https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/bollywood/fans-remember-legendary-actor-sanjeev-kumar-on-his-82nd-birth-anniversary |access-date=2022-05-07 |website=Free Press Journal |language=en |archive-date=4 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004032239/https://www.freepressjournal.in/entertainment/bollywood/fans-remember-legendary-actor-sanjeev-kumar-on-his-82nd-birth-anniversary |url-status=live }}</ref> His first film as a protagonist was in [[Nishan (1965 film)|Nishan]] (1965). In 1968, he acted alongside the famous actor of that time, [[Dilip Kumar]], in [[Sunghursh|Sangharsh]]. He also starred opposite [[Shammi Kapoor]] and [[Sadhana]] in the superhit film [[Sachaai]] (1969).

He starred in the 1966 [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] film ''[[Kalapi (film)|Kalapi]]'', which was based on the poet [[Kalapi]]'s life, with him playing the title role, [[Padmarani]] playing the role of his wife, [[Rama]], and [[Aruna Irani]] as the love interest. The film was directed by [[Manhar Raskapur]].<ref name="GokulsingDissanayake2013">{{cite book|author1=K. Moti Gokulsing|author2=[[Wimal Dissanayake]]|title=Routledge Handbook of Indian Cinemas|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=djUFmlFbzFkC&pg=PA94|access-date=21 April 2017|date=17 April 2013|publisher=Routledge|isbn=978-1-136-77284-9|pages=94|archive-date=12 April 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170412145349/https://books.google.com/books?id=djUFmlFbzFkC&pg=PA94|url-status=live}}</ref> Later [[Aruna Irani]] was paired opposite [[Sanjeev]] in another [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] film, ''Mare Javun Pele Par'' (1968).

In 1970, the movie ''[[Khilona (1970 film)|Khilona]]'', which was the remake of [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]] film ''Mare Javun Pele Paar'' (1968), brought Kumar national recognition. In 1972, he played in an Indo-Iranian film, ''[[Subah-O-Shaam]]''. This was when the director [[Gulzar]] first spotted him. Later he cast Sanjiv Kumar in the roles of older men in 4 films ''[[Parichay (film)|Parichay]]'' (1972), ''[[Koshish]]'' (1973), ''[[Aandhi]]'' (1975) and ''[[Mausam (1975 film)|Mausam]]'' (1975). [[Gulzar]] cast Sanjiv Kumar in role of young man in the films ''[[Angoor (1982 film)|Angoor]]'' (1981) and ''[[Namkeen]]'' (1982). [[Kumar]] won the [[BFJA Awards for Best Actor (Hindi)]] for his exemplary portrayal of a deaf and mute person in ''[[Koshish]]'', in which the female lead was played by [[Jaya Bhaduri]], who acted as his deaf and mute wife and was herself nominated for Best Actor award by [[Filmfare]] for the same role. He went on to star in the box office hits ''[[Seeta Aur Geeta]]'' (1972), ''[[Manchali]]'' (1973) and ''[[Aap Ki Kasam]]'' (1974). In 1973, he made a guest appearance during a song in a [[Tamil language|Tamil]] movie, ''[[Bharatha Vilas]]'' (1973). He performed in nine movies directed by [[Gulzar]]. [[Hrishikesh Mukherjee]] directed him in ''[[Arjun Pandit (1976 film)|Arjun Pandit]]'', for which he won the Filmfare Best Actor Award.

He did three films opposite famous [[Tamils|Tamil]] actress [[L. Vijayalakshmi]], including ''Husn Aur Ishq'' and ''Badal'' which became hits. Their first film was ''[[Alibaba Aur 40 Chor (1966 film)|Alibaba Aur 40 Chor]]'' which was unsuccessful. His ''[[Raja Aur Runk]]'', released in 1968, was a great success. He did ''[[Kangan (1971 film)|Kangan]]'', ''[[Rivaaj]]'', ''[[Zindagi (1976 film)|Zindagi]]'', ''[[Be-Reham]]'', ''[[Archana (film)|Archana]]'' and ''[[Do Ladkiyan]]'' opposite [[Mala Sinha]]. He did ''[[Priya (1970 film)|Priya]]'', ''[[Anubhav (1971 film)|Anubhav]]'', ''Gustaaki Maaf'', ''[[Bachpan]]'' and ''[[Khud-Daar]]'' with [[Tanuja]]. He was paired with [[Raakhee]] in ''[[Angaare]]'', ''[[Paras (1971 film)|Paras]]'', ''[[Trishna (1978 film)|Trishna]]'', ''[[Shriman Shrimati]]'' and ''[[Hamare Tumhare]]''. His hits with [[Leena Chandavarkar]] included ''Apne Rang Hazar'', ''[[Manchali]]'' and ''[[Anhonee (1973 film)|Anhonee]]''. He was paired regularly with [[Sulakshana Pandit]] in films such as ''[[Uljhan]]'' and ''[[Waqt Ki Deewar]]'' and with [[Moushmi Chatterjee|Moushumi Chatterjee]] in ''Itni Si Baat'' and ''Daasi''.

The producers and directors of the South wanted to remake their [[Tamil language|Tamil]] and [[Telugu language|Telugu]] films in [[Hindi]] with either [[Kumar]] or [[Rajesh Khanna]] in lead. It was these [[Hindi]] film remakes that elevated him to a great actor. ''[[Khilona (1970 film)|Khilona]]'' and its [[Tamil language|Tamil]] version ''[[Engirundho Vandhaal]]'' were made simultaneously. ''[[Navarathri]]'' was remade as ''[[Naya Din Nai Raat]]''. [[Kumar]] reprised the role played by [[Thengai Srinivasan]] in ''[[Yehi Hai Zindagi]]'' which was a remake of ''[[Kaliyuga Kannan]]''. He starred as the lead ''[[Shaandaar (1974 film)|Shaandaar]]'' (1974) which was a remake of ''[[Kasturi Nivasa]]'' with [[Kannada]] actor [[Dr. Rajkumar]] in the lead. [[Kumar]] enacted the role played by [[AVM Rajan]] in ''Anadhai Aanandhan'', in its [[Hindi]] version ''[[Chanda Aur Bijli]]''. ''[[Gnana Oli]]'' was remade as ''[[Devata (1978 film)|Devata]]'' in 1978 with [[Kumar]] reprising the role originally played by [[Sivaji Ganesan]]. He also acted in ''[[Swarg Narak]]'' (1978) the remake of ''[[Swargam Narakam]].'' He played the role which [[N.T. Rama Rao]] did originally in ''Devina Chesina Manushulu'', in its [[Hindi]] version [[Takkar (1980 film)|Takkar]] in 1980. ''[[Tayaramma Bangarayya]]'' was remade as ''Shriman Shrimati'' in 1982, ''Raman Ethanai Ramanadi'' was remade as ''Raam Kitne Tere Naam'' in 1985. Kumar reprised the role played by R.Muthuraman in ''Alukuoru Aasai'' in its Hindi remake ''Itni Si Baat'' in 1981.  Sivaji Ganesan gave Kumar a role in his own home production ''Gauri'' (1968), which was a remake of ''Shanti'' (1965). The role played by S.S. Rajendran in ''Shanti'' was re-enacted by Kumar in ''Gauri''.

Northern Indian producers and directors cast Sanjeev Kumar primarily in supporting roles in films like [[Khud-Daar]], [[Sawaal (film)|Sawaal]], [[Zabardast]], [[Hero (1983 film)|Hero]], and [[Silsila]]. Sanjeev Kumar's excellent comic timing entertained audiences in films such as ''[[Seeta Aur Geeta]]'', ''Biwi O Biwi'' (1981),<ref>[http://www.webmallindia.com/buy-dvd-online-movie-biwi-o-biwi-p-105.html Buy BIWI O BIWI DVD online] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141017034022/http://www.webmallindia.com/buy-dvd-online-movie-biwi-o-biwi-p-105.html |date=17 October 2014 }}. Webmallindia.com. Retrieved on 2018-11-08.</ref> ''[[Pati Patni Aur Woh (1978 film)|Pati, Patni Aur Woh]]'', ''[[Angoor (1982 film)|Angoor]]'' (1982) and ''[[Hero (1983 film)|Hero]]'' (1983).

His performances in films such as {{Lang|hi-latn|[[Charitraheen]]}}, ''Grihapravesh'', ''Chehre Pe Chehra'', [[Suraag]], ''Sawaal'' and ''Yaadgaar'' were appreciated by critics. Kumar always demonstrated a willingness to take on unconventional roles that challenged him as an actor. His role as Mirza Sajjad Ali,<ref>{{cite book |title=The Chess Players: And Other Screenplays |author=Satyajit Ray |editor=Andrew Robinson |publisher=Faber |year=1989 |isbn=978-0-5711-4074-9 |url=https://archive.org/details/chessplayersothe00saty |url-access=registration }}</ref> a chess-obsessed Lucknowi (citizen of [[Lucknow]]), in [[Satyajit Ray]]'s classic ''[[Shatranj Ke Khilari]]'' (1977) exemplified that aspect. Perhaps his best-remembered roles were in the blockbuster films ''[[Sholay]]'' (1975) and ''[[Trishul (film)|Trishul]]'' (1978). His portrayal of the character [[Thakur (Indian title)|Thakur]], from ''[[Sholay]]'' was one of his stellar performances. In ''[[Naya Din Nayi Raat]]'' (1974), Sanjeev Kumar reprised nine-roles. This film enhanced his status and reputation as a serious player in [[Bollywood]]. He stood his ground against leading superstars such as [[Rajesh Khanna]] in ''Aap Ki Kasam''; [[Amitabh Bachchan]] and [[Shashi Kapoor]] in the [[Yash Chopra]] multi-star cast film ''[[Trishul (film)|Trishul]]'' (1978) and Dilip Kumar in ''Sangharsh'' and ''Vidhaata'' (1982).

He has done many regional films in different languages including [[Marathi language|Marathi]], [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]], [[Tamil language|Tamil]], [[Telugu language|Telugu]], [[Sindhi language|Sindhi]] and his mother tongue [[Gujarati language|Gujarati]]. In 1980, he starred in the [[Punjabi language|Punjabi]] movie ''Fauji Chacha''. He has made guest appearances in two Tamil films, ''Bharata Vilas'' and ''Uyarndhavargal'' (a remake of ''Koshish'').

== Personal life ==
Kumar remained single all his life. He had proposed to [[Hema Malini]] in 1973 and they remained in touch thereafter. [[Sulakshana Pandit]] later recounted having been in love with him and having proposed marriage to him which he politely declined.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://downloads.movies.indiatimes.com/site/aug2002/ivw9.html|title=Whatever happened to....... Sulakshana Pandit|publisher=Filmfare|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015075824/http://downloads.movies.indiatimes.com/site/aug2002/ivw9.html|archive-date=15 October 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref> It is speculated as a result of this rejection, Pandit chose to remain unmarried.

== Health problems and death ==
After his first heart attack, he underwent a bypass surgery in the U.S. However, on 6 November 1985, at the age of 47, he suffered a massive heart attack, which resulted in his death. His younger brother Nikul died before him, while his other brother Kishore died six months later.<ref name=ht12>{{cite web| title = Salt-and-pepper memories with Sanjeev Kumar| publisher = Hindustan Times| url = http://www.hindustantimes.com/editorial-views-on/ColumnsOthers/Salt-and-pepper-memories-with-Sanjeev-Kumar/Article1-954727.aspx| date = 4 November 2012| access-date = 2013-08-12| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20130815011536/http://www.hindustantimes.com/editorial-views-on/ColumnsOthers/Salt-and-pepper-memories-with-Sanjeev-Kumar/Article1-954727.aspx| archive-date = 15 August 2013| df = dmy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.upperstall.com/people/sanjeev-kumar|title=Sanjeev Kumar|publisher=upperstall.com|access-date=14 August 2010|archive-date=27 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100527175247/http://www.upperstall.com/people/sanjeev-kumar|url-status=live}}</ref>

More than ten movies starring Sanjeev Kumar were released after his death, with the last one, ''[[Professor Ki Padosan]]'', released in 1993. At the time of his death, only about three-fourths of this movie was complete, and it was eventually decided to alter the story line in the second half to explain the absence of Kumar's character.

==Artistry and legacy==
[[File:Sanjeev Kumar’s 85th birthday.jpg|thumb|[[Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra]] celebrating Kumar’s 85th birthday]]
Kumar is regarded as one of the greatest actors of Indian Cinema.<ref name=Go/> He is known for playing diverse roles, charm, elegance and his ability to bring authenticity and depth to a wide range.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news/remembering-sanjeev-kumar-celebrating-5-timeless-roles-on-his-birth-anniversary/articleshow/111611435.cms|title=Remembering Sanjeev Kumar: Celebrating 5 timeless roles on his birth anniversary|website=The Times Of India|date=9 July 2024|access-date=26 May 2025}}</ref> Kumar did not mind playing roles that were non-glamorous, such as characters well beyond his age.<ref name=Kale/> In 2022, Kumar was placed in ''[[Outlook India]]''{{'}}s "75 Best Bollywood Actors" list.<ref>{{Cite web |title=75 Bollywood Actors Who Conquered Hearts Of The Millions |work=Outlook India |date=12 August 2022 |access-date=16 August 2022 |url=https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/75-actors-who-conquered-hearts-of-the-millions-since-1947-news-215861/amp |archive-date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816142138/https://www.outlookindia.com/art-entertainment/75-actors-who-conquered-hearts-of-the-millions-since-1947-news-215861/amp |url-status=live}}</ref>

Dinesh Raheja of ''[[Rediff.com]]'' noted, "Sanjeev Kumar thrived in spite of defying many of Bollywood's norms for heroes. He defied the industry's unwritten-rules not out of necessity, but by choice. This actor did not have to sequin himself in designer duds to endear himself to the audience. He did so with his virtuoso performances."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://m.rediff.com/entertai/2002/jun/17dinesh.htm|title=Everyman's Hero: Sanjeev Kumar|website=Rediff.com|access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref> Devesh Sharma of ''[[Filmfare]]'' said, "Whether he made you cry in ''[[Koshish]]'', or laugh in ''[[Angoor (1982 film)| Angoor]]'', put you on the edge in ''[[Sholay]]'' or shocked you in ''[[Khilona (1970 film)| Khilona]]'', he could do it with ease. When a director hired Sanjeev Kumar, he hired the luxury of going to sleep. The actor would arrive at the fag end of the shift and wind up before the rest of them. Such was his easy talent. Sanjeev Kumar was a real actor."<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.filmfare.com/features/actor-for-all-seasons-sanjeev-kumar-5000.html |title=Actor for all seasons: Sanjeev Kumar|website=Filmfare.com|date=23 December 2013|access-date=27 May 2025}}</ref>

== Awards ==
=== Film awards ===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Year
! Category
! Nominated work
! Result
|-
! colspan="4"|[[National Film Awards]]
|-
|[[18th National Film Awards|1971]]
|[[National Film Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Dastak (1970 film)|Dastak]]''
|{{won}}<ref>{{cite web | url=http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm20thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=20NFA.pdf | title=20th National Awards For Films (1971) | publisher=dff.nic.in. Directorate of Film Festivals | page=41 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110721170649/http://iffi.nic.in/Dff2011/Frm20thNFAAward.aspx?PdfName=20NFA.pdf | archive-date=21 July 2011 | df=dmy-all }}</ref>
|-
|[[20th National Film Awards|1973]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Koshish]]''
|{{won}}
|-
! colspan="4"|[[Filmfare Awards]]
|-
|[[16th Filmfare Awards|1969]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]]
|''[[Shikar (1968 film)|Shikar]]''
|{{won}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indiafm.com/celebrities/awards/11035/index.html|title=Sanjeev Kumar Awards|website=[[Bollywood Hungama]]|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070930211635/http://indiafm.com/celebrities/awards/11035/index.html|archive-date=30 September 2007|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
|-
|[[18th Filmfare Awards|1971]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Khilona (1970 film)|Khilona]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[21st Filmfare Awards|1974]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Koshish]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[23rd Filmfare Awards|1976]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Sholay]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Aandhi]]''
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[24th Filmfare Awards|1977]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Mausam (1975 film)|Mausam]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Arjun Pandit (1976 film)|Arjun Pandit]]''
|{{won}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[25th Filmfare Awards|1978]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Yehi Hai Zindagi]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Zindagi (1976 film)|Zindagi]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[26th Filmfare Awards|1979]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Devata (1978 film)|Devata]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Pati Patni Aur Woh (1978 film)|Pati Patni Aur Woh]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]]
|''[[Trishul (1978 film)|Trishul]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[30th Filmfare Awards|1983]]
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Supporting Actor|Best Supporting Actor]]
|''[[Vidhaata]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
|[[Filmfare Award for Best Actor|Best Actor]]
|''[[Angoor (1982 film)|Angoor]]''
|{{nom}}
|-
! colspan="4"|[[Bengal Film Journalists' Association Awards]]
|-
|1974
|[[BFJA Award for Best Actor (Hindi)|Best Actor (Hindi)]]
|''[[Koshish]]''
|{{won}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/197437.htm|title=BFJA Awards|publisher=BFJA Awards|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20100109013438/http://www.bfjaawards.com/legacy/pastwin/197437.htm |archive-date=9 January 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
|}

=== Other awards ===
* 1969 – Naval Stars Awards, Shanoo Varun Trophy by S.M. Nanda
* 1971 – Surat Jilla Leuva Patidar Gnyati.
* 1975 – Cinegoers Council (Delhi) Film Awards
* 1976 – Lion Club of North Calcutta Actor of the year for ''Mausam''
* 1984 – Maratha Seva Sangh Dist Khed
* Best Actor (Stage) for the Gujarati play ''Koi no Ladakh Vayo''
* Kalashri Art & Network "Lifetime Achievement Millenium 2000 Award" at Surat
* 18th National Award "Bharat Puraskar" by Information & Broadcast State Minister Mrs Nandini Satapthi at Shanmukhanand Hall (Mumbai)
* Army Officers Voice Association Trophy
* Andhra Pradesh Film Journalist Award
* Chitralok Cine Serjak Award (Ahmedabad)

== Government recognition ==
[[File:Sanjeev Kumar 2013 stamp of India.jpg|thumb|Kumar on a 2013 stamp of India.]]
A road has been named after him in [[Surat]], Gujarat as Sanjeev Kumar Marg, which was inaugurated by veteran actor [[Sunil Dutt]].

A school has been named after him in his home town [[Surat]], [[Gujarat]], and was inaugurated by the then Mayor Kadir K. Pirzada. A postage stamp was released by [[India Post]] to honour him on 3 May 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=India Post &#124; Philately &#124; Stamps &#124; Stamps 2013|url=http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Stamps2013.aspx|access-date=18 July 2014|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140726165015/http://www.indiapost.gov.in/Stamps2013.aspx|archive-date=26 July 2014|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

An auditorium, named [[Sanjeev Kumar Auditorium]] built by the Surat Municipal Corporation at the cost of 108cr, was opened in his home town. It was inaugurated on 14 February 2014 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.<ref>{{cite web|title=Gujarat remembers its proud son, versatile actor Sanjeev Kumar by inaugurating a grand auditorium in his honour|publisher=narendramodi.in|url=http://www.narendramodi.in/sanjeev-kumar-auditorium-in-surat/|access-date=18 July 2014|archive-date=25 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140725115908/http://www.narendramodi.in/sanjeev-kumar-auditorium-in-surat/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Philanthropy ==
The Sanjeev Kumar Foundation<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.sanjeevkumarfoundation.com/ |title=Sanjeev Kumar Foundation |access-date=12 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171111225100/http://www.sanjeevkumarfoundation.com/ |archive-date=11 November 2017 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all }}</ref> is a national level development organisation ([[NGO]]) directly benefiting children and their families every year, mainly focusing on education, healthcare, environment, culture and nutrition. From 2015 onwards the foundation has also been the sponsor of the annual Sanjeev Kumar Drama Competition held by the [[Surat Municipal Corporation]]. The awards and cash prizes are given in memory of Sanjeev Kumar to the best actor, actress, director and backstage technician every year.

== References ==
{{reflist|2}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb name|id=0474876|name=Sanjeev Kumar}}
* http://www.forbesindia.com/article/100-years-of-indian-cinema/25-greatest-acting-performances-of-indian-cinema/35125/1
{{NationalFilmAwardBestActor}}
{{FilmfareAwardBestActor}}
{{FilmfareAwardBestSupportingActor}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Kumar, Sanjeev}}
[[Category:1938 births]]
[[Category:1985 deaths]]
[[Category:Indian male film actors]]
[[Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema]]
[[Category:People from Surat]]
[[Category:Gujarati actors]]
[[Category:20th-century Indian male actors]]
[[Category:Indian male stage actors]]
[[Category:Best Actor National Film Award winners]]
[[Category:Male actors from Gujarat]]
[[Category:Filmfare Awards winners]]