The Bollywood buffs who have explored and enjoyed the golden era of Bollywood in the 80s, definitely know, how brilliant and versatile the actor Sanjeev Kumar was. From slipping in the skin of a common man to stepping in the shoes of a rich brat, Sanjeev was that one actor who explored every shade of acting in his decades-long career. He not just left an untouchable legacy behind him but also changed the whole face of the Bollywood industry. With 2 national awards in his showcase, Sanjeev was nominated for Filmfare for 13 times with three wins. In the remembrance of the legendary actor, here we bring you the top 10 cult classics of Sanjeev Kapoor that changed the cinema curve in the industry:
1. Koshish: Koshish is one of the few cult classics of the industry, that gives a spine-chilling experience while making our eyes sob. Gulzar’s classic, Koshish portrays the life of a deaf and mute couple who tries to make an everyday ordinary living in the running and cruel circumstances of early Bombay.
2. Shatranj Ke Khilari: In his long career, Satyajit Ray just made one Hindi masterpiece and for his art, he chose another master of his art. The movie is an exhibition of the life of a chess-obsessed nobleman, who forgets the world, time, and even his wife, for his love for chess. He is also supported by a fine cast involving the likes of Saeed Jaffrey, Shabana Azmi, Amjad Khan, Farida Jalal, Farooque Shaikh, Tom Alter, and Victor Bannerjee!
3. Khilona: The movie captures Sanjeev playing the role of a man who lost his mental equilibrium and is slowly nursed to health by a nautch girl. The way he played a vicious man and an innocent man at the same is the true portrayal of acting as an art.
4. Sholay: One can forget every classic of Sanjeev but can’t forget Sholay. The movie which made Indian cinema shine on the global level captured Sanjeev’s master class acting as Thakur. He was seen without having hands in most of the film and yet proved that real actors don't need gestures.
5. Silsila: In a society like India, playing a man who left his wife to love another man is tougher than we can even think. But the way Sanjeev played it, made the audience connect to his character. The way he delivered his dialogue with the right amount of body language and intense emotion is proof that he is the Acer of his art.
6. Pati Patni Aur Woh: It is said that the art of an actor is truly judged by the fact that how well they can portray a comic role. Well, Sanjeev didn’t get many chances to showcase his comic timing, but when he got a chance in Pati Patni Aur Woh, he left us suffering from a stomach ache. In the movie, he was seen playing the role of a philandering husband seeking an affair with his secretary.
7. Aandhi: One of the controversial movies of that era, Aandhi was said to be based on Indira Gandhi's life and was directed by Gulzar (Why are you not making any more movies, dear sir?). Political undertones notwithstanding, it is a compelling human drama about how a leading politician connects with her estranged husband after years of separation.
8. Manchali: It is said that Manchali was a break for Sanjeev from an emotional and intense role. Based on the western classic The Taming Of The Shrew, the movie captured Sanjaav, playing the role of a husband for hire.
9. Naya Din Nayi Raat: The story takes place throughout a night where the heroine, Jaya Bhaduri, meets eight characters, all of whom share a resemblance with her suitor, Sanjeev Kumar. Yes, In this remake of the Tamil film Navarathri (1964), Sanjeev emulated Tamil thespian Sivaji Ganeshan's feat of enacting nine characters in a single film. Quite an achievement, we must say.
10. Sunghush: Acting beside thespian Dilip Kumar won him instant recognition. He stood his ground against the veteran in this gangster drama and their scenes together are remembered even today as a clash between a master and a budding genius.
