Jump to content

Rajendra Nath

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Rajendra Nath
Born(1931-06-08)8 June 1931
Tikamgarh, Orchha State, British India (present-day Madhya Pradesh, India)
Died13 February 2008(2008-02-13) (aged 76)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
OccupationActor
Years active1938–1998
Known forComedy
RelativesPrem Nath (brother)
Narendra Nath (brother)
Raj Kapoor (brother-in-law)
Prem Chopra (brother-in-law)

Rajendra Nath Malhotra (8 June 1931 − 13 February 2008) was an Indian actor and comedian in Hindi and Punjabi films.

Early life and family

[edit]

Rajendra Nath was born on 8 June 1931 in Tikamgarh, which is now in Madhya Pradesh.[1][2] His family was from the Karimpura locality of Peshawar but settled in Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh. He studied at Darbar College, Rewa, where Arjun Singh (a Congress politician) and R.P. Agarwal were his classmates.[2]

Rajendra's elder brother Prem Nath went to Mumbai and became an actor, so Rajendra joined him in 1949. They were good friends of Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor. Rajendra and Prem's sister Krishna married actor-director Raj Kapoor.[3] He had also another brother Narendra Nath who also became an actor who usually played some villain's role in the movies.

Rajendra, who was little interested in studies, quit college and landed in Bombay to work in films like his brother. He did some plays at Prithvi theatre like Pathan and Shakuntala. It was here that he became close to Shammi Kapoor.

Career

[edit]

Initially Rajendra struggled to get roles till Sashadhar Mukherjee offered him a comedian's role in Dil Deke Dekho, a film directed by Nasir Hussain, starring Shammi Kapoor and Asha Parekh. Rajendra Nath along with Asha Parekh were a regular feature in many Nasir Hussain films like Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Baharon Ke Sapne and Pyar Ka Mausam. He also played a villain's role in Hamrahi opposite Shashikala whose character he kills. He has done 187 movies. He was one of the most famous comedians. His best role as comedian was in Mere Sanam and Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon. He also played the role of Hero/Second Lead in "Vachan" and "Teen Bahuraniyan". He played supporting roles in films like Dharkan by Devendra Goel and Jeevan Mrityu by Rajshri Productions. He played a buffoon called Popatlal in Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, and since then the name became synonymous with Rajendra Nath. He used this name in the famous TV series Hum Paanch.

He then did many films, mostly in comic roles, such as in An Evening in Paris and Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon. One of his most applauded performances was in Manoj Kumar's Purab Aur Paschim though it was not a full-fledged comedy role. He also contributed to Nepal's first movie Maitighar which was shot in Kathmandu, Nepal.

He starred in a number of Punjabi films such as Jatt Punjabi and "Do Posti".

He died on 13 February 2008 from cardiac arrest.

Filmography

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
1959 Dil Deke Dekho Kailash
1961 Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai Popat Lal / Charlie
1963 Tere Ghar Ke Samne Ranjit (Ronnie)
1963 Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon Difu
1964 Rajkumar Kapil
1965 Mere Sanam Pyare
1965 Janwar Chintu
1966 Maitighar Nepali film special appearance
1967 Aamne Samne

Shubodh Mukherjee

Baharon Ke Sapne Pandu Parivar (1967 film) Sitaram
An Evening in Paris Makhan Singh
1968 Teen Bahuraniyan Kanhaiya
Jhuk Gaya Aasman Hanuman Singh
1969 Pyar Ka Mausam Jhatpat Singh
Beti Deepak
Raja Saab Pratap Singh
Prince Valiyatiram
1970 Maharaja Kishen
Jeevan Mrityu Prem Prakash
Purab Aur Paschim Shankar
Aan Milo Sajna Manmauji
The Train Pyarelal
Tum Haseen Main Jawaan Romeo
1971 Hare Rama Hare Krishna Toofan
Main Sunder Hoon Director
1972 Dharkan Inspector Darshan K. Lal
1973 Kahani Kismat Ki Gopuchand
1974 Hamrahi Hanuman Sharma
Patthar Aur Payal Shankar Dayak
1975 Julie Rahim, Store Owner
1976 Chhoti Si Baat Mauni Baba
1976 Chadi Jawani Budhe Nu (Punjabi movie) Police man
1978 Giddha (Punjabi movie)
1979 Badmashon Ka Badmaash
Dada Alibhai Motorwala
1980 The Burning Train Shambhunath- The Pandit in Train
1980 Guest House Bawara
1981 Hotel popat lal
Mangalsutra Munim
Biwi-O-Biwi Veer Singh
1982 Taaqat
Prem Rog Radha's Husband
1983 Main Awara Hoon Sardar Trilochan
1984 Ghar Ek Mandi Announcer during Bidding
Mera Faisla Jaleel Miya, Hostel Cook
Yaadgar Chotelal
Phulwari Dr. Gupta
1985 Baadal Sharbati
1986 Sasti Dulhan Mahenga Dulha Fauja Singh, Taxi Driver
Ghar Sansar Police Inspector Sharma
1987 Dak Bangla Gareebdas Daulat Ram
Hukumat Charlie
1988 Pyaar Ka Mandir Astrologer Parmeshwar Shivaramakrishna
Veerana Manager (Thakela Guest House)
1989 Main Tera Dushman Police Constable Dukhiram
Elaan-E-Jung Manager of Massage Parlour
Sindoor Aur Bandook
Doosra Keval Chowkidar (TV Series)
1990 Naag Nagin Sarpat
Pyar Ka Karz Doctor
1991 Farishtay Mohanlal
Ajooba Spectator in Public (Special Appearance)
1992 Tahalka Lifeguard At Swimming Pool
Bol Radha Bol Blind Man
1994 Ekka Raja Rani John
Eena Meena Deeka Cashier in Bank Guest Role
1995 Taaqat Rajendranath, host in Cookery program seen on Television
1995-2006 Hum Paanch Jeetendra Bharadwaj
as Popatlal, Aanand's boss		 TV series

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Rajendranath – Memories". Cineplot.com. Retrieved 11 July 2021. I was born on June 8, 1931, in Tikamgarh state, which is now in Madhya Pradesh. My father, Kartarnath, was the I.G. of Police in Riva state.
  2. ^ a b ""Meri Lottery Lag Jaane Waali Hai" : Rajendra Nath". Cinemaazi. Retrieved 11 July 2021. Rajendra Nath Malhotra's family was originally from Peshawar. His father was a higher cadre police officer during British Raj who spent most of his service time in different Indian states. Rajendra Nath Malhotra was born on 8th June 1931 in the town of Tikamgarh in Madhya Prant (now Madhya Pradesh). He completed his schooling in Rewa. Congress leader Arjun Singh was Rajendra Nath's classmate and close friend.
  3. ^ Farewell Rajendra Nath : Laughter has left the building Archived 8 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine passionforcinema, 13 February 2008.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rajendra_Nath&oldid=1239064858"