Guinness World Record holder Jagdish Raj, World’s Most Typecast Actor, Dies at 84

Bollywood thesp was better known as a cop

Mumbai - Bollywood’s iconic police inspector and father of veteran actress Anita Raj, Jagdish Raj passes away this morning. Jagdish Raj played the role of police inspector 144 times in his long tenure of filmy career and he also holds the Guinness World Record for portraying the same role so many times.

While talking to reporters, his son-in-law Rakesh Malhotra informed that he was not keeping well for the past two years. He had respiratory problem and finally he gave up his life to the prolonged illness.  His son in law Rakesh Malhotra said" Jagdish Raj had been in and out of hospital for the past two years and had respiratory problems. He passed away this morning due to respiratory arrest."

With credits including “Deewar,” “Don,” “Shakti,” he occasionally played a villain and at least twice played a judge. But he was best known for being cast a record 144 times as a cop. Jagdish Raj in his 21 long filmy career has acted with many noted directors and producers of Bollywood.  ‘Mazdoor’, ‘Imaan Dharam’, ‘Gopichand Jasoos’, ‘Silsila’, ‘Aaina’ and ‘Besharam’ 'Jihny Mera Naam' were few of many hits in his name. Jagdish Raj is survived by his two daughters, Anita Raj and Roopa Malhotra. 

Born as Jagdish Raj Khurana in 1928 in Sargodha, British India (now part of Pakistan) he acted from 1960 till retirement in 1992.

He was 85. He is cremated at 5pm in the evening at Ville Parle cremation ground.

Our deepest condolence to the deceased family. May his soul rest in peace!

Filmography:-

• Khule Aam (25 December 1992)
• Apradhi (6 November 1992)...... The Judge
• Deedar (14 August 1992) (Released) ...... Sabharwal
• Paap Ka Anth (8 December 1989) (Released) ...... Police Commissioner
• Na Insafi (30 June 1989) (Released) ...... Police Commissioner
• Aasman Se Ooncha (3 March 1989) (Released)
• Aag Hi Aag (3 April 1988) (Released) ...... Judge
• Mera Karam Mera Dharam (1987) (Released) ...... Police Inspector
• Teesra Kinara (8 August 1986) (Released)
• Sasti Dulhan Mahenga Doolha (31 January 1986) (Released) ...... Mafatlal
• Mehak (2 July 1985) (Released)
• Ram Tere Kitne Naam (15 February 1985) (Released) ...... Jailor
• Salma (1985) (Released) ...... Doctor Who Checked Salma'S Throat
• Zulm Ka Badla (1985) (Released)
• Ram teri ganga maili(1985)(Released).......Police Inspector
• Jeene Nahin Doonga (26 October 1984) (Released) ...... Jailer
• Raj Tilak (31 August 1984) (Released) ...... King'S Assailant
• Boxer (17 February 1984) (Released) ...... Man Whose Watch Gets Stolen
• Mazdoor (14 October 1983) (Released) ...... Police Inspector
• Hum Se Na Jeeta Koi (22 April 1983) (Released)
• Deedar-E-Yaar (22 October 1982) (Released)
• Sawaal (21 May 1982) (Released) ...... Inspector chodu
• Gopichand Jasoos (19 February 1982) (Released) ...... Verma
• Dil-E-Nadan (1982) (Released)
• Agnee Pareeksha (1982) (Released) ...... Police Inspector
• Dulha Bikta Hai (1982) (Released)
• Ek Hi Bhool (9 October 1981) (Released) ...... (Guest Appearance)
• Silsila (14 August 1981) (Released)
• Magroor (20 April 1979) (Released) ...... Police Officer
• Ram Kasam (22 September 1978) (Released)
• Jaggu (Released)
• Dil Aur Deewar (15 September 1978) (Released)
• Parmatma (1978) (Released)
• Tumhari Kasam (1978) (Released) ...... Police Inspector (Uncredited)
• Besharam (1978) (Released) ...... Pandey
• Aaina (1977) -- Managing Director (as Jagdishraj)
• Immaan Dharam (1977) (Released) ...... Police Inspector
• Paapi (1977) (Released) ...... Inspector Bhaskar
• Dream Girl (1977) (Released)
• Dafa 302 (1975) (Released) ...... Satish
• Deewar (1975) (Released) -- Jaggi
• Do Chor (1972) (Released) ...... Police Inspector
• Johny Mera Naam (1970) (Released)........Police Inspector
• Shuhaag .......Police Inspector-Khan
• Nanak Naam Jahaz Hai (1969)
• Ek Mahal Ho Sapno Ka (as villain)
• Funtoosh - 1954
• Hum Dono - 1961
• Kala Bazaar - 1960
• Gambler - 1971

Shah Rukh Khan's Deewana Returns After Two Decades

Over two decades ago, Shah Rukh Khan (SRK) kick-started his Bollywood journey with Deewana. The 1992 blockbuster boasted of many feats to its credit. It was not only the second highest grosser of the year, but its chartbuster soundtrack also went on to create huge waves in cine-circles, fetching the music maestros Nadeem-Shravan their third Filmfare Award in a row, after Aashiqui (1990) andSaajan (1991).

Though Khan wasn't the solo hero in the musical romance drama, his promising acting credentials were applauded by the viewers and critics alike.

Now in the era of remakes and sequels, producer Guddu Dhanoa too wishes to capitalize on the unbeaten formulas.

When asked whether the new Deewana would be a remake or a sequel, Dhanoa informed PTI that their next venture would be more of a sequel, but with a different love story this time around. The producer also notified that they have decided to use the title as it is, and will add something to it. He further said that his project will be on the similar lines as the Bhatts have treated their thriving creations, Murder and Jannat.

Deewana will have a complete new star-cast, which has yet to be finalized.

While we wait to hear from the makers about another shot of announcements regarding the film's cast, we wonder if they would have our King Khan and versatile Rishi in this one also.

Directed by Raj Kanwar and co-produced by Lalit Kapoor with Dhanoa, the older flick had Rishi Kapoor and late actress Divya Bharti in pivotal roles, apart from SRK.

Bollywood's most loved villain Pran passes away after prolonged illness

Mumbai - Veteran Bollywood actor Pran Krishan Sikhand, who played the dreaded villain and lovable character with elan in hits like 'Milan', 'Madhumati', 'Bobby', Zanjeer and 'Ram Aur Shyam', passed away at Leelavati hospital here on Friday  evening at the age of 93.

"He died after a spell of prolonged illness," his daughter Pinky said. He was admitted to Lilavati Hospital a month ago after his health started deteriorating, she said.

Picture gallery: Pran Krishan Sikand

Related: Pran was the beloved bad man of Bollywood

Related: Pran was an icon, says PM Manmohan Singh

His funeral will be held tomorrow noon at Shivaji Park in Dadar.

The veteran actor, who had a six-decade-long career that saw him performing in over 400 films, was conferred the country's highest cinema honour - the Dada Saheb Phalke award - in April.

Pran left his imprint as a villain with powerful roles in films like 'Kashmir ki Kali', 'Khandaan', 'Aurat', 'Bari Behen', 'Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai', 'Half Ticket', 'Upkar', 'Purab Aur Paschim', 'Don' 'Karz' and 'Naseeb'.

Born on February 12, 1920 in old Delhi, Pran Krishan Sikand was educated at places like Kapurthala, Unnao, Meerut, Dehradun and Rampur as his father Lala Kewal Krishnan Sikand was in government service.

Related: Pran receives Dadasaheb Phalke award

Initially, Pran wanted to become a photographer but destiny had different plans for him. A chance meeting with a film producer got him his first break in Punjabi film 'Yamla Jat' in 1940.

There was no looking back for the actor after that as he went on to star in films like 'Chaudhary' (1941), 'Khandan' (1942), 'Kaise Kahun' (1945) and 'Badnami (1946).

After Partition, Pran came to Mumbai with his wife Shukla and sons Arvind and Sunil but found it difficult to get work as an actor in the city of dreams.

Related: Dadasaheb Phalke award for Pran much deserved: Amitabh Bachchan

Pran had almost given hope when writer Saadat Hasan Manto helped him get a role in Dev Anand starrer 'Ziddi' in 1948 which revived his career.

He will be forever remembered for bringing villains on par with the heroes, ruling the industry from 1969 to 1982. He commanded equal money and respect for his negative characters in 'Madhumati', 'Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai', 'Ram Aur Shyam' and 'Devdas'.

The actor's baritone and good looks helped him bring charm to his villainy which was very unique to Pran. Such was the magic of his onscreen roles that parents stopped naming their children 'Pran' at the height of his fame.

His chameleon-like ability helped Pran transform himself from one of the most hated onscreen villains to one of the most beloved character actors - be it the 'Mangal chacha' in 'Upkar', Sher Khan of opposite Amitabh Bachchan in 'Zanjeer' or the discipline-loving but soft-hearted grandfather in Gulzar's 'Parichay'.

Prior to his film career, the actor wanted to become a professional photographer and worked as an apprentice with a company.

This job took him to Shimla, where he played the role of Sita in a local staging of 'Ramlila'. He happened to meet writer, Wali Mohammad Wali, who worked for producer Dalsukh M. Pancholi in Lahore. This eventually led to Pran's entry into the film industry.

He acted in a few Punjabi films before entering Bollywood with Sunil Dutt-Nutun starrer super hit film 'Khandan' (1965).

His contribution in comedy movies also didn't go unnoticed with some side-splitting performances in 'Sadhu Aur Shaitaan', 'Chham Chama Chham', 'Half Ticket' and 'Bewaqoof' and others.

It was reported that in the 70s, Pran was among the highest paid actors in Indian cinema, ahead of his co-stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Vinod Khanna.

Pran married Shukla Ahluwalia in 1945 and has two sons, Arvind and Sunil and a daughter, Pinky.