Anju Mahendroo shares rare pic with Sanjeev Kumar on his 88th birth anniversary
Synopsis
Actress Anju Mahendroo shared a rare black-and-white photograph with the late Sanjeev Kumar on his 88th birth anniversary, writing 'miss you my Bro.' The image offers a rare window into the private friendship between two actors who shared screen space in 'Dastak' (1970) and 'Mukti' (1977) — and a close bond that lasted until Sanjeev Kumar's untimely death at 47 in 1985.
Key Takeaways
Anju Mahendroo shared a rare vintage photo with Sanjeev Kumar on his 88th birth anniversary on 7 November 2026 .
She captioned the image ‘Aaaawww miss you my Bro,’ addressing him by his nickname Hari , short for Harihar Jethalal Jariwala .
The two worked together in ‘Dastak’ (1970) directed by Rajinder Singh Bedi and ‘Mukti’ (1977) directed by Raj Tilak .
Sanjeev Kumar was born on 9 July 1938 and passed away on 6 November 1985 , aged 47 , following a massive heart attack.
His celebrated films include ‘Sholay’ , ‘Aandhi’ , ‘Mausam’ , ‘Angoor’ , and ‘Trishul’ , among others.
Actress Anju Mahendroo paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary Hindi cinema star Sanjeev Kumar on his 88th birth anniversary on Saturday, 7 November, sharing a rare vintage photograph of the two and writing, “Aaaawww miss you my Bro.” The black-and-white image, posted on her social media account, offered an intimate glimpse into a friendship that endured well beyond their time on screen together.
The Rare Photograph
In the throwback image, Sanjeev Kumar is seen dressed in a formal suit with a patterned tie, while Anju Mahendroo stands beside him. The candid frame is a departure from the posed publicity stills of the era, underlining the warmth and ease of their off-screen bond. Anju fondly addressed the actor by his birth name, Hari — a shortened form of Harihar Jethalal Jariwala — and often called him her ‘bro.’
Their On-Screen Association
The two actors worked together in a pair of Hindi films. The first was ‘Dastak’ (1970), directed by Rajinder Singh Bedi, a critically acclaimed drama that remains a landmark in Indian parallel cinema. They reunited on screen in ‘Mukti’ (1977), directed by Raj Tilak. While their joint filmography was modest in number, it was evidently enough to forge a lasting personal connection.
The Legacy of Sanjeev Kumar
Born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala on 9 July 1938, Sanjeev Kumar went on to become one of the most versatile and celebrated actors in the history of Hindi cinema. His portrayal of the revenge-driven Thakur Baldev Singh in ‘Sholay’ remains among the most iconic performances in Bollywood. His body of work includes acclaimed films such as ‘Aandhi’, ‘Mausam’, ‘Angoor’, ‘Trishul’, ‘Khilona’, ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’, ‘Manchali’, ‘Namkeen’, and ‘Hero’. The actor passed away following a massive heart attack on 6 November 1985, aged just 47, leaving behind an extraordinary cinematic legacy that continues to be celebrated decades later.
A Friendship Remembered
Anju Mahendroo’s post stands out not just as a personal remembrance but as a rare public record of Sanjeev Kumar’s private life and friendships — a side of the intensely private actor that seldom reached public view. This comes amid renewed interest in the legend, with film enthusiasts and historians continuing to revisit his work on streaming platforms. Tributes from across the film fraternity have marked his birth anniversary this year as well.
Point of View
But Anju Mahendroo’s post carries a different weight — it surfaces a private friendship rarely documented in public archives. The intensely private Kumar left behind few personal photographs, making this image a minor archival find. What it also does is remind audiences that one of Hindi cinema’s greatest character actors died at 47, leaving an almost certain second peak of his career unlived. The renewed streaming-era interest in his films suggests his legacy is not just nostalgia — it is an ongoing critical reassessment.
NationPress
7 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Anju Mahendroo share a photo with Sanjeev Kumar?
Anju Mahendroo shared the rare throwback photograph to mark Sanjeev Kumar’s 88th birth anniversary on 7 November . She captioned it ‘Aaaawww miss you my Bro,’ reflecting the close personal friendship the two shared over the years.
Which films did Anju Mahendroo and Sanjeev Kumar work in together?
The two appeared together in ‘Dastak’ (1970) , directed by Rajinder Singh Bedi , and ‘Mukti’ (1977) , directed by Raj Tilak . Despite a small shared filmography, the collaboration resulted in a lasting off-screen friendship.
What was Sanjeev Kumar’s real name?
Sanjeev Kumar was born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala on 9 July 1938 . Anju Mahendroo affectionately called him Hari , a shortened form of his birth name.
When did Sanjeev Kumar pass away and how old was he?
Sanjeev Kumar passed away on 6 November 1985 following a massive heart attack. He was 47 years old at the time of his death.
What are some of Sanjeev Kumar’s most celebrated films?
Among his most iconic roles is Thakur Baldev Singh in ‘Sholay’ . Other celebrated films in his career include ‘Aandhi’ , ‘Mausam’ , ‘Angoor’ , ‘Trishul’ , ‘Khilona’ , ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’ , ‘Pati Patni Aur Woh’ , ‘Namkeen’ , and ‘Hero’ .
