Rajendra Nath

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

Rajendra Nath
Born(1931-06-08)8 June 1931
Died13 February 2008(2008-02-13) (aged 76)
OccupationActor
Years active1938–1998
Known forComedy
RelativesPrem Nath (brother)
Narendra Nath (brother)
Raj Kapoor (brother-in-law)
Prem Chopra (brother-in-law)

Early life and family

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.

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.[1] 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

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 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 also acted in the very famous TV serial Hum Paanch as Mr. Popat Lal.

He died on 13 February 2008 from cardiac arrest.

Filmography

Year Title Role Notes
1959 Dil Deke DekhoKailash
1961 Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota HaiPopat Lal / Charlie
1963 Phir Wohi Dil Laya HoonDifu
1964 RajkumarKapil
1965 Mere SanamPyare
1965 JanwarChintu
1966 MaitigharNepali film special appearance
1967 Baharon Ke SapnePandu
An Evening in ParisMakhan Singh
ParivaarSitaram
1968 Teen BahuraniyanKanhaiya
Jhuk Gaya AasmanHanuman Singh
1969 Pyar Ka MausamJhatpat Singh
BetiDeepak
Raja SaabPratap Singh
PrinceValiyatiram
1970 Jeevan MrityuPrem Prakash
Purab Aur PaschimShankar
Aan Milo SajnaManmauji
The TrainPyarelal
Tum Haseen Main JawaanRomeo
1971 Hare Rama Hare KrishnaToofan
1972 DharkanInspector Darshan K. Lal
1973 Kahani Kismat KiGopuchand
1974 HamrahiHanuman Sharma
1981 MangalsutraMunim
1981 Biwi-O-BiwiVeer Singh
1982 Prem RogRadha's Husband
1984 Ghar Ek Mandir (film)Announcer during Bidding
1985 BaadalSharbati
1986 Ghar SansarPolice Inspector Sharma
1987Dak BanglaMinister
HukumatCharlie
1988 VeeranaManager (Thakela Guest House)
1989Elaan-E-JungManager of Massage Parlour
Sindoor Aur Bandook
Doosra KevalChowkidar(TV Series)
1991 FarishtayMohanlal
1992 TahalkaLifeguard At Swimming Pool
Bol Radha BolBlind Man
1994 Ekka Raja RaniJohn
1995 TaaqatRajendranath, host in Cookery program seen on Television
1995-2006 Hum PaanchJeetendra Bharadwaj
as Popatlal, Aanand's boss
TV Series

References

  1. Farewell Rajendra Nath : Laughter has left the building Archived 8 July 2008 at the Wayback Machine passionforcinema, 13 February 2008.
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