Anil Kapoor launches Sanjeev Kumar's biography with co-authors Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta and Uday Jariwala

The biography Sanjeev Kumar: The Actor We All Loved, published by HarperCollins India, was launched in Mumbai today by Anil Kapoor with co-authors Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta and Uday Jariwala, the late star's nephew.

The award-winning actor, who died on 6 November 1985, made his mark in a number of popular entertainers as well as critically acclaimed features of the 1970s. The biography looks at his life and career from 1938 to 1985.

Backed by prime minister Narendra Modi, the book features personal essays by his friends and fellow artistes from the Hindi film industry, including Gulzar, Randhir Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore, Moushmi Chatterjee and Tanuja.

Co-author Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta said, “It took me four years, multiple interviews with over 25 contributors, poring over 800 magazine articles in five languages to write this book. Sanjeev Kumar was one of those rare performers who ‘became the character’ instead of playing it, and his National awards prove it.

"The book chronicles his rags-to-riches story, his motivations, his fears and his god-gifted talent. Readers will feel they are in the same room as Sanjeev Kumar — understanding his life firsthand. It is an entertaining read and a prep for aspiring actors, all at once.”

"We must all celebrate 9th July, Sanjeev Kumar's birthday,” Anil Kapoor, who launched the book, said. “All of us actors are inspired by him, especially the realistic acting which Sanjeev Kumar bought to theatre and to Indian cinema. He was indeed master of his craft and a treat for all senses. What he has achieved in a short span of his career, I have no words to express.”

The veteran added, “This book by Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta will bring his movies alive again. Lovers of cinema will always remember each and every performance of his. He is the reason I'm here and the reason we could produce Hum Paanch (1980) and I could act in Woh 7 Din (1983).”

Sanjeev’s nephew Uday Jariwala had earlier shared, “I still remember that for a very long time after Sanjeev dada’s demise, every time the door opened, I thought it was him entering the house. He would cuddle me and play with me. He left a vacuum in our lives that we can never fill. My family and I are excited to present Sanjeev Kumar: The Actor We All Loved. This book is a labour of love and it has taken us almost four years to complete. It is an authentic representation of his life. For the first time, his fans will get to know him up close as he really was.”