Jackie Shroff pays tribute to Pradeep Kumar on 25th death anniversary
Synopsis
On the 25th death anniversary of golden-era icon Pradeep Kumar, Jackie Shroff's tribute post — featuring the immortal 'Jo Wada Kiya' — is a reminder that the actor who brought Prince Salim and Shah Jahan to life on screen remains as beloved as ever, his regal romance inseparable from the soundtrack of Hindi cinema's finest decade.
Key Takeaways
Jackie Shroff paid tribute to Pradeep Kumar on his 25th death anniversary on 27 October 2026 .
Shroff shared a black-and-white portrait with the message 'Pradeep Kumar Ji.
Always in our hearts' along with the song 'Jo Wada Kiya' from 'Taj Mahal' (1963).
Pradeep Kumar, born Sital Batabyal in Calcutta , made his Hindi cinema debut with 'Anand Math' in 1952 and rose to fame with 'Anarkali' in 1953 .
His career-defining 'Taj Mahal' (1963), with music by Roshan , produced timeless songs including 'Jo Wada Kiya', sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi .
Pradeep Kumar passed away on 27 October 2001 at the age of 76 .
Bollywood actor Jackie Shroff on 27 October 2026 paid a heartfelt tribute to legendary Hindi cinema star Pradeep Kumar on his 25th death anniversary, honouring the golden-era icon known for his regal screen presence and enduring romantic portrayals. The remembrance underscores how deeply Pradeep Kumar's legacy continues to resonate across generations of film industry professionals.
Jackie Shroff's Social Media Tribute
Shroff shared a striking black-and-white portrait of Pradeep Kumar on his social media account, accompanied by the message, 'Pradeep Kumar Ji. Always in our hearts', along with the actor's birth and death dates — 4 January 1925 and 27 October 2001. The post featured the evergreen song 'Jo Wada Kiya' from the 1963 period musical 'Taj Mahal', a romantic duet sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi that remains one of Hindi cinema's most beloved compositions.
A Career Built on Royalty and Romance
Born Sital Batabyal in Calcutta, Pradeep Kumar began his acting journey in Bengali films before relocating to Bombay and making his Hindi cinema debut with 'Anand Math' in 1952. His breakthrough arrived with 'Anarkali' in 1953, in which he portrayed Prince Salim opposite Bina Rai — a role that cemented his image as the definitive romantic-royal lead of the era. He followed that with 'Nagin' in 1954, starring alongside Vyjayanthimala.
His filmography spanned celebrated titles including 'Raj Hath', 'Shirin Farhad', 'Gateway of India', 'Aarti', 'Chitralekha', 'Bheegi Raat' and 'Bahu Begum', each adding to his reputation as one of Hindi cinema's most versatile leading men of the 1950s and 1960s.
The Legacy of 'Taj Mahal'
The career-defining 'Taj Mahal' (1963) saw Pradeep Kumar portray Mughal emperor Shah Jahan opposite Bina Rai as Mumtaz Mahal. The film's soundtrack, composed by Roshan, produced an extraordinary run of timeless songs: 'Jo Wada Kiya', 'Paaon Chhoo Lene Do', and 'Jo Baat Tujh Mein Hai'. Notably, this was not his first pairing with Bina Rai — together they had already delivered the iconic 'Anarkali' a decade earlier, making their collaboration one of the most cherished actor-actress partnerships of the golden era.
An Enduring Song Legacy
Beyond his screen roles, Pradeep Kumar's films gifted Hindi cinema a treasury of beloved songs. Among those most closely associated with him are 'Zindagi Pyar Ki Do Chaar Ghadi' from 'Anarkali', 'Tere Dwar Khada Ek Jogi' from 'Nagin', 'Ab Kya Misaal Doon' from 'Aarti', 'Dil Jo Na Keh Saka' from 'Bheegi Raat', and 'Hum Intezaar Karenge' from 'Bahu Begum'. Pradeep Kumar passed away on 27 October 2001 at the age of 76, leaving behind a body of work that continues to be revisited by cinephiles and a new generation discovering the richness of Hindi cinema's golden age.
Point of View
Yet rarely discussed in the mainstream canon that tends to cluster around Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Dev Anand. His appeal was a niche within a niche: regal, formal, and inseparable from the period genre. Jackie Shroff's tribute is a timely nudge to reassess his contribution, particularly as streaming platforms make golden-era films newly accessible to younger audiences. The 25th anniversary is also a reminder that no dedicated retrospective or state honour has yet been accorded to an actor whose films, and songs, still command genuine affection.
NationPress
27 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was Pradeep Kumar?
Pradeep Kumar was a prominent Hindi film actor of the 1950s and 1960s, born Sital Batabyal in Calcutta on 4 January 1925. Renowned for his regal screen presence, he became one of the most recognisable faces of Hindi cinema's golden era, particularly through his portrayals of princes and Mughal emperors in films such as 'Anarkali' (1953) and 'Taj Mahal' (1963).
Why is Jackie Shroff paying tribute to Pradeep Kumar today?
27 October 2026 marks the 25th death anniversary of Pradeep Kumar, who passed away on 27 October 2001. Jackie Shroff posted a black-and-white portrait of the late actor on social media with a heartfelt message and the iconic song 'Jo Wada Kiya' from 'Taj Mahal'.
What are Pradeep Kumar's most famous films?
Pradeep Kumar's most celebrated films include 'Anarkali' (1953), 'Nagin' (1954), and 'Taj Mahal' (1963). He also featured in 'Aarti', 'Chitralekha', 'Bheegi Raat', 'Bahu Begum', and 'Gateway of India', among others.
What is the song 'Jo Wada Kiya' and why is it significant?
'Jo Wada Kiya' is a romantic duet from the 1963 Hindi film 'Taj Mahal', sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi and composed by Roshan. It is one of several evergreen songs from the film, which starred Pradeep Kumar as Mughal emperor Shah Jahan opposite Bina Rai as Mumtaz Mahal.
How old was Pradeep Kumar when he died?
Pradeep Kumar was 76 years old when he passed away on 27 October 2001. He was born on 4 January 1925 in Calcutta and had a film career spanning several decades across Bengali and Hindi cinema.
