- Pradeep Kumar
Pradeep Kumar (Pradeep Batabyal ( _bn. প্রদীপ বটব্যাল)), born in early 1925 in
West Bengal , was an actor of Bengali and Hindi films.Career
When Kumar was 17 years old, he decided to take up acting. His started his film career in Bengali films. His notable roles Bengali films were in "Alaknanda"(1947) directed by renowned filmmaker
Debaki Bose and in "'42" (1951).Kumar then shifted to
Bombay andFilmistan studios, and had an important role in the film "Anand Math " (1952). He played the lead role withBina Rai in Anarkali (1953) and withVyjayanthimala in Nagin (1954). Both films were very popular and had songs that added to the movies success. He had a spate of releases in the second half of the 1950s. He did not enjoy as much success in the 1960s, though "Ghunghat " (1960) , "Taj Mahal" (1963) and "Aarti" were successful.He worked with Meena Kumari in 7 films i.e.Adal-E-Jahangir,Bandhan,Chitralekha,Bahu Begum,Bheegi Raat,Aarti & Noor Jahan & with Mala Sinha in 8 films i.e. Naya Zamana,Hemlet,Badshah,Dedective,Faishon,Ek Shola,Duniya Na Maane,Mitti Mein Sona.He did not get to act in lead roles with the newer heroines of the 1960s like Sadhana,
Saira Banu ,Babita orSharmila Tagore , though he did work withAsha Parekh inGhunghat andMeri Surat Teri Aankhen & with Waheeda Rehman in Raakhi(1963). In 1969, he moved to character roles with "Sambandh ", but did not have many visible roles tillRazia Sultan in 1983.He won the Kalakar Award-Lifetime Achievement Award (1999). [ [http://www.kalakarawards.com/adver/105937cinema-awardee.htm Kalakar Awards ] ]
Pradeep Kumar died in
Calcutta on October 28, 2001, at the age of 76.References
External links
* [http://ia.rediff.com/movies/2003/jun/02dinesh.htm An article from rediff.com]
*
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