Sanjeev Kumar

Sanjeev Kumar, remembered fondly on his death anniversary, passed away at just 47 from a heart attack on November 6, 1985. Known for playing elderly roles, he harbored a deep-seated fear of a short life, a fear realized as the men in his family seldom lived past 50. His younger brother Nikul predeceased him, and his second brother passed soon after him.
Renowned as a gifted, versatile actor, Sanjeev won numerous accolades, including two National Film Awards for Dastak (1971) and Koshish (1973), and three Filmfare Awards for Shikar (1969), Aandhi (1976), and Arjun Pandit (1977). Yet behind his stardom lay a tragic love story.

In 1973, he proposed to Hema Malini, but her mother opposed the union. When she later married Dharmendra, Sanjeev was heartbroken. Although his Uljhan co-star Sulakshana Pandit deeply loved him, Sanjeev was too attached to Hema to move on. To cope, he turned to heavy drinking and overeating, ignoring his health.
He remained unmarried, and Sulakshana, who pledged her heart to him, also chose to remain single. The words from the title song of Uljhan (1975) poignantly capture their lives:
"Apne Jeevan ki Uljhan ko kaise Main Suljhaoon,
Apno Ne Jo Dard Diye Hai, Kaise Main Batlaoon."