Rajendra Nath
{{short description|Indian actor (1931–2008)}}
{{more footnotes needed|date=October 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Use Indian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Rajendra Nath
| image =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_name =
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1931|06|08|df=y}}
| birth_place = Tikamgarh, Orchha State, British India (present-day Madhya Pradesh, India)
| death_date = {{Death date and age|2008|02|13|1931|06|08|df=y}}
| death_place = Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| nationality =
| other_names =
| occupation = Actor
| years_active = 1938–1998
| known_for = Comedy
| relatives = Prem Nath (brother)
Narendra Nath (brother)
Raj Kapoor (brother-in-law)
Prem Chopra (brother-in-law)
}}
Rajendra Nath Malhotra (8 June 1931 − 13 February 2008) was an Indian actor and comedian in Hindi and Punjabi films.
Early life and family
Rajendra Nath was born on 8 June 1931 in Tikamgarh, which is now in Madhya Pradesh.{{Cite web|title=Rajendranath – Memories|url=https://cineplot.com/rajendranath-memories/|access-date=2021-07-11|website=Cineplot.com|language=en-US|quote=I was born on June 8, 1931, in Tikamgarh state, which is now in Madhya Pradesh. My father, Kartarnath, was the I.G. of Police in Riva state.}}{{Cite web|title="Meri Lottery Lag Jaane Waali Hai" : Rajendra Nath|url=https://www.cinemaazi.com/feature/meri-lottery-lag-jaane-waali-hai-rajendra-nath|access-date=2021-07-11|website=Cinemaazi|language=en|quote=Rajendra Nath Malhotra’s family was originally from Peshawar. His father was a higher cadre police officer during British Raj who spent most of his service time in different Indian states. Rajendra Nath Malhotra was born on 8th June 1931 in the town of Tikamgarh in Madhya Prant (now Madhya Pradesh). He completed his schooling in Rewa. Congress leader Arjun Singh was Rajendra Nath’s classmate and close friend.}} 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.[http://passionforcinema.com/farewell-rajendra-nath-laughter-has-left-the-building/ Farewell Rajendra Nath : Laughter has left the building] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080708205019/http://passionforcinema.com/farewell-rajendra-nath-laughter-has-left-the-building/|date=8 July 2008}} passionforcinema, 13 February 2008. 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 famous 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 died on 13 February 2008 from cardiac arrest.
Filmography
| class="wikitable sortable"
!Year !Title !Role !Notes | |||
| 1959 | Kailash | ||
| 1961 | Popat Lal / Charlie | ||
| Rowspan="3"|1963
|Ranjit (Ronnie) | |||
| Mujhe Jeene Do
|Dhara Khan | |||
| Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon | Difu | ||
| Rowspan="2"|1964 | Shankar | ||
| Rajkumar | Kapil | ||
| 1965 | Pyare | ||
| 1965
| Janwar | Chintu | ||
| 1966 | Nepali film special appearance | ||
| Rowspan="5"|1967 | Shubodh Mukherjee | ||
| Baharon Ke Sapne | Pandu | ||
| Parivar | Sitaram | ||
| An Evening in Paris | Makhan Singh | ||
| Chhoti Si Mulaqat
|Sam Kapoor | |||
| Rowspan="2"|1968 | Kanhaiya | ||
| Jhuk Gaya Aasman | Hanuman Singh | ||
| Rowspan="4"|1969 | Jhatpat Singh | ||
| Beti | Deepak | ||
| Raja Saab | Pratap Singh | ||
| Prince | Valiyatiram | ||
| Rowspan="6"|1970
| Maharaja | Kishen | ||
| Jeevan Mrityu | Prem Prakash | ||
| Purab Aur Paschim | Shankar | ||
| Aan Milo Sajna | Manmauji | ||
| The Train | Pyarelal | ||
| Tum Haseen Main Jawaan | Romeo | ||
| Rowspan="2"|1971 | Toofan | ||
| Main Sunder Hoon | Director | ||
| 1972
| Dharkan | Inspector Darshan K. Lal | ||
| 1973 | Gopuchand | ||
| Rowspan="2"|1974 | Hanuman Sharma | ||
| Patthar Aur Payal | Shankar Dayak | ||
| 1975 | Rahim, Store Owner | ||
| Rowspan="2"|1976 | Mauni Baba | ||
| Chadi Jawani Budhe Nu | Police man | Punjabi film | |
| 1978
|Giddha (Punjabi movie) | |||
| Rowspan="2"|1979 | |||
| Dada | Alibhai Motorwala | ||
| 1980 | Shambhunath- The Pandit in Train | ||
| 1980 | Bawara | ||
| Rowspan="3"|1981 | popat lal | ||
| Mangalsutra | Munim | ||
| Biwi-O-Biwi | Veer Singh | ||
| Rowspan="2"|1982
| Taaqat | |||
| Prem Rog | Radha's Husband | ||
| 1983 | Sardar Trilochan | ||
| Rowspan="4"|1984 | Announcer during Bidding | ||
| Mera Faisla | Jaleel Miya, Hostel Cook | ||
| Yaadgar | Chotelal | ||
| ''Phulwari | Dr. Gupta | ||
| 1985 | Sharbati | ||
| Rowspan="2"|1986 | Sasti Dulhan Mahenga Dulha | Fauja Singh, Taxi Driver | |
| Ghar Sansar | Police Inspector Sharma | ||
| Rowspan="2"|1987 | Dak Bangla | Gareebdas Daulat Ram | |
| Hukumat | Charlie | ||
| Rowspan="2"|1988 | Pyaar Ka Mandir | Astrologer Parmeshwar Shivaramakrishna | |
| Veerana | Manager (Thakela Guest House) | ||
| Rowspan="4"|1989 | Main Tera Dushman | Police Constable Dukhiram | |
| Elaan-E-Jung | Manager of Massage Parlour | ||
| Sindoor Aur Bandook | |||
| Doosra Keval | Chowkidar | TV Series | |
| Rowspan="2"| 1990 | Naag Nagin | Sarpat | |
| Pyar Ka Karz | Doctor | ||
| Rowspan="2"|1991 | Mohanlal | ||
| Ajooba | Spectator in Public (Special Appearance) | ||
| Rowspan="2"|1992 | Lifeguard At Swimming Pool | ||
| Bol Radha Bol | Blind Man | ||
| Rowspan="2"| 1994 | John | ||
| Eena Meena Deeka | Cashier in Bank | Guest Role | |
| 1995 | Rajendranath, host in Cookery program seen on Television | ||
| 1995
|Sauda{{Cite web |title=Sauda - Movie - - Box Office India |url=https://boxofficeindia.com/cast_crew.php?movieid=3018 |access-date=2025-01-11 |website=boxofficeindia.com}} |Real estate agent Deendayal aka Deenu | | |||
| 1995-2006 | Jeetendra Bharadwaj as Popatlal, Aanand's boss | TV series |
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb name|0707398}}
- [http://www.rediff.com/entertai/nov/22raj.htm Rajendra Nath Profile on Rediff]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110708082827/http://www.bollango.com/cgi-bin/akf_search.tcl?key=movie&actor=rajendra+nath Rajendra Nath Filmography]
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Category:Indian male comedians
Category:Indian male film actors
Category:Male actors from Madhya Pradesh
Category:Male actors in Hindi cinema
Category:20th-century Indian male actors