Hindi film’s most memorable lawmen owe much to Sujit Kumar, whose khaki-clad inspectors embodied integrity and grit. Though he essayed varied roles across decades, it was the police uniform that captured public imagination. A lawyer-in-making from rural Uttar Pradesh, his path veered dramatically toward stardom.
On February 7, 1934, Shamsher Bahadur Singh was born to farmers in Varanasi’s Chakiya. Sharp-minded, he pursued law studies until director Phani Majumdar discovered him in a college theatrical. Sujit’s commanding voice and poise prompted an offer to head to Mumbai, reshaping his future.
His 1954 entry via ‘Taxi Driver’ featured modest roles: comrades, foes, mysteries. Thrillers of the ’60s-’70s honed his craft, but cop characters unleashed his stardom. His intense expressions and booming voice were tailor-made for authority.
‘Ittefaak’s’ dynamic sleuth set the tone, followed by iconic turns in ‘Amiri Garibi,’ ‘The Burning Train,’ ‘Takkar,’ ‘Boxer,’ ‘Kaidhi,’ ‘Haqeeqat,’ ‘Kala Dhanda Gore Log,’ ‘Tiranga,’ and ‘Krantiveer.’ He holds the record for most police roles in Hindi cinema, a badge of honor.
Pioneering Bhojpuri as its superstar, films like ‘Ganga Maiyya Tohe Piyari,’ ‘Bidesiya,’ ‘Dangal,’ and ‘Paan Khaye Saiyan Hamar’ idolized him in the heartland.
Producing with wife Kiran, he backed ‘Khel,’ ‘Daraar,’ ‘Champion,’ securing Bhojpuri kudos. Cancer claimed him on February 5, 2010, near his 76th birthday, but his reel-life policing lives on.