He wanted to play soccer or cricket professionally, but the family’s economic situation forced him to look for work elsewhere. The idea was to get a job, any job, but Ms. Rani asked if he would consider becoming an actor. Mr. Kumar, who had seen only one film in his life — a war documentary — was flummoxed, but the money persuaded him. In 1954, Mr. Kumar won the newly instituted Filmfare Award for best actor for his performance as an alcoholic in the tragic love story “Daag” (“The Stain”). (To prepare for the role, Mr. Kumar observed a blind beggar at Bombay Central Railway Station.)

Source: New York Times July 07, 2021 03:22 UTC