In the golden era of Hindi cinema, few characters defined justice on screen like the no-nonsense police inspector portrayed by Sujit Kumar. Dressed in khaki, his stern gaze and commanding voice became synonymous with law enforcement in films. What began as a dream to become a lawyer in Uttar Pradesh took an unexpected turn, propelling him into the spotlight of Mumbai’s film industry.
Born Shamsher Bahadur Singh on February 7, 1934, in Chakiya, Varanasi, into a modest farming family, Sujit was a brilliant student pursuing law. Fate intervened during a college play when renowned director Phani Majumdar spotted his powerful presence and deep voice. Impressed, Majumdar invited him to Bombay, marking the end of his legal ambitions and the birth of a cinematic legend.
Sujit Kumar debuted in 1954 with ‘Taxi Driver,’ starting with bit parts as friends, villains, or enigmatic figures. The 1960s and 1970s saw him shine in suspense thrillers, but his true breakthrough came with police roles. His authoritative demeanor and resonant dialogue delivery made him the go-to actor for cop characters.
Films like ‘Ittefaak’ showcased his sharp investigator, a role still etched in viewers’ memories. He donned the uniform in blockbusters such as ‘Amiri Garibi,’ ‘The Burning Train,’ ‘Takkar,’ ‘Boxer,’ ‘Kaidhi,’ ‘Haqeeqat,’ ‘Kala Dhanda Gore Log,’ ‘Tiranga,’ and ‘Krantiveer.’ Audiences crowned him the ‘Police Inspector of Films,’ a testament to his unmatched frequency in such roles.
Beyond Hindi cinema, Sujit pioneered Bhojpuri films as its first superstar. Hits like ‘Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari,’ ‘Bidesiya,’ ‘Dangal,’ and ‘Paan Khaye Saiyan Hamar’ made him a household name in Bihar and eastern Uttar Pradesh.
Venturing into production, he teamed with wife Kiran Singh to create ‘Khel,’ ‘Daraar,’ and ‘Champion.’ His contributions earned him a Lifetime Achievement Award in Bhojpuri cinema. Battling cancer in his final years, Sujit Kumar passed away on February 5, 2010, just days shy of his 76th birthday, leaving an indelible legacy in Indian cinema.