On Sanjeev Kumar's 34th death anniversary yesterday, 6 November, Uday Jariwala, nephew and head of the Sanjeev Kumar Foundation, announced an official biography of the actor's life. The book will be written by author Reeta Gupta, and co-authored by Uday Jariwala.
In a statement, Gupta said, "My friends in the film industry are very excited about this book. While there will always be an opinion on who the greatest actor in Hindi cinema is, people would universally agree that Sanjeev Kumar’s unique dialogue delivery is a patent by itself."
Uday Jariwala added, "My uncle’s biography was long overdue. I was really happy when Reeta Gupta approached me. The legend of Sanjeev Kumar deserves to be told, as he left us too early. The enduring charm to his ‘common man’ appeal remains. Producers continued to release films (a total of 10), up to 1993, eight years after his death. Even today, Indians across the globe see him as an iconic performer."
Born Haribhai Jariwala, Sanjeev Kumar, as he was known on screen, went on to become one of the most respected and renowned actors of his time. From auteur classics like Dastak (1970), Anubhav (1971), and Koshish (1972) to commercial blockbusters like Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Sholay (1975), and Trishul (1978), the actor exhibited a range unparalleled in Hindi cinema.
The family and friends of the late actor will be contributing to the book. The official biography is expected to be ready by 6 November 2020, the 35th death anniversary of the actor.