Dheeraj Kumar

{{Infobox person

| name = Dheeraj Kumar

| image = DheerajKumar.jpg

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| caption = Dheeraj Kumar in 2012

| birth_name = Dheeraj Kochar

| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1944|10|01|df=y}}{{Cite web|last=India-West|first=R. M. VIJAYAKAR Special to|title=Bollywood's Acclaimed Dheeraj Kumar Celebrates 75th Birthday|url=https://www.indiawest.com/entertainment/bollywood/bollywood-s-acclaimed-dheeraj-kumar-celebrates-75th-birthday/article_ebc34b68-e535-11e9-9324-bf91d1529ff9.html|access-date=2020-09-02|website=India West|language=en}}

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| nationality = Indian

| other_names =

| known_for =

| occupation = Actor, producer, director

}}

Dheeraj Kochar, professionally known as Dheeraj Kumar (born 1 October 1944){{Cite web|last=India-West|first=R. M. VIJAYAKAR Special to|title=Bollywood's Acclaimed Dheeraj Kumar Celebrates 75th Birthday|url=https://www.indiawest.com/entertainment/bollywood/bollywood-s-acclaimed-dheeraj-kumar-celebrates-75th-birthday/article_ebc34b68-e535-11e9-9324-bf91d1529ff9.html|access-date=2020-09-02|website=India West|language=en}} is an Indian actor, television producer and director.{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/tv/Life-Time-Achievement-award-for-Dheeraj-Kumar/articleshow/12055230.cms |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130216084817/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2012-02-27/tv/31103567_1_punjabi-film-award |url-status=live |archive-date=2013-02-16 |title='Life Time Achievement' award for Dheeraj Kumar |date=2012-02-27 |work=The Times of India |access-date=2013-10-08}} He started Creative Eye Limited, a television production house in 1986. He has acted in both Bollywood and Punjabi films, including Sargam (1979), Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974) and Beharoopia (1971).{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyOfficers?symbol=CEYE.BO |title=Creative Eye Ltd (CEYE.BO) People |publisher=Reuters.com |access-date=2013-10-08}}

Career

In 1965, Kumar was one of the finalists in a talent show organized by the United Producers and Filmfare. The other finalists included Subhash Ghai and Rajesh Khanna, Rajesh Khanna was the eventual winner. This helped him launch himself in movies, while simultaneously acting as a model in advertisements including those for Vicks Action 500.{{cite web|last1=K|first1=Irfan|title=Guftagoo with Subhash Ghai – an interview|url=http://muktaarts.com/Media/Guftagoo%20with%20Subhash%20Ghai.php|url-status=live|access-date=23 November 2018|website=Mukta Arts|publisher=Rajya Sabha TV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123154321/http://muktaarts.com/Media/Guftagoo%20with%20Subhash%20Ghai.php |archive-date=23 November 2018 }}

He acted in 21 Punjabi films from 1970 to 1984. He started a production company, Creative Eye and is its chairman and managing director. In the film Swami (1977), the song "Ka Karoon Sajani, Aaye Na Balam" was picturised on him. He has also worked in other films like Heera Panna, Raaton Ka Raja (where he was the leading man), Shreeman Shrimati etc.{{cite web|url=http://www.indianexpress.com/Storyold/15569/ |title=Jeetendra, other TV stars raided |publisher=Indianexpress.com |date=1997-12-16 |access-date=2013-10-08}}{{cite web|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/Small+town+winners/1/3872.html |title=Small town winners : Media – India Today |publisher=Indiatoday.intoday.in |date=2008-01-25 |access-date=2013-10-08}}