Jeevan (actor)

Jeevan, born as Omkar Nath Dhar (October 24, 1915 in Srinagar – June 10, 1987), was an Indian Bollywood actor and was famous for playing the role of Narad Muni in mythological films of the 1950s. He has played the role of Narad Muni in more than 60 films.^[1][2] Later he played the role of a villain in many films of the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s. His son Kiran Kumar is also an actor.^[3]

Early life

Jeevan was born into large family, he had 24 siblings. His grandfather was the Governor of Gilgit in Gilgit-Baltistan. He lost his father when he was 3 years old and his mother died at childbirth.^[1]

Career

From an early age, Jeevan wanted to be an actor as films had always fascinated him. Since his grandfather was the Governor, their family was considered among the nobility. As s son of such a family joining films would not have been accepted as films were considered taboo, Jeevan ran away from home at the age of 18 and came to Bombay with only Rs. 26 in his pocket.

After a brief period of struggle, he eventually landed himself a job in the studios of Mohan Sinha (Vidya Sinha’s grandfather). His job was to stick silver paper on the reflectors. It was here while working as a reflector boy that he landed a lead role in the movie Fashionable India which was being made by Mohan Sinha.^[1]

It is said that he has played the role Narad Muni in more than 60 films and theater shows of different languages. He became notable though for his roles in Romantic India in 1935, Afasana in 1946 and Station Master in 1942. Jeevan appeared in several Dev Anand films from 1946–1978 and in Manmohan Desai movies like Amar Akbar Anthony and Dharam Veer as villain. He also starred in the Punjabi film Teri Meri Ek Jindri.His last movie was insaaf ki manzil released on 1986 produced by Ram Nandan Prasad and Directed by Braj Bhushan. He died on June 10, 1987 at the age of 71.^[1]

Selected filmography

References

External links

• Jeevan at the Internet Movie Database