New Delhi:

Sanjeev Kumar, who has given us unforgettable films Sholay, the blind, the trident, effort And the seasonAchieved great success, but only for a short time. In a recent conversation, journalist Hanif Zaveri spoke about Sanjeev Kumar’s struggling period early in his career, when he accepted all kinds of C-grade films because his family was in dire need of money.

In a conversation shared on My Friend Podcast YouTube channel, Hanif Zaveri spoke about the actor’s struggling phase, when he had only two sets of clothes while his mother was trying to take over his father’s failing business. He said that it was at the beginning of Sanjeev Kumar’s journey when he was trying his luck in films.

“He didn’t know that the films he was doing were C-grade. He was pretty broke, so he was doing whatever work he could,” Hanif Zaveri recalled.

When Sanjeev Kumar gave 96 lakh rupees and never returned it

Further, the journalist recalled how Sanjeev Kumar had given loans of Rs 96 lakh to friends and never returned the money.

“He gave Rs 96 lakh as loans to his friends, who never paid him back. He paid for his driver’s wedding. He gifted a car to one of his friends. When Sanjeev made his will, he set aside Rs 2 lakh for his driver’s son’s education. People who are stingy don’t do that. He was just against unnecessary spending,” Zaveri added.

He added, “When Shatrughan Sinha needed money, Sanjeev Kumar gave him money, even though Shatrughan had not asked for it. Boney Kapoor also needed money, so he gave money without any documents or formalities. After Sanjeev’s death, Boney returned the money to his family. The family did not even know that he had given the money.”

He also spoke about Sanjeev Kumar and Shatrughan Sinha’s endearing bond. He recalled how Sanjeev Kumar would hype Shatrughan Sinha in front of the producers on his return from FTII.

“They shared a deep friendship. When Sanjeev came to know that Shatrughan needed money, he was the first to help. He gave around Rs 5-7 lakh,” added the journalist.

Sanjeev Kumar on not marrying Sulakshana Pandit

Additionally, Hanif talked about how Sanjeev Kumar finally got the attention of filmmakers, but his love life was in turmoil, which often affected his professional life.

After things didn’t work out with Hema Malini and Nutan, Sanjeev Kumar started a relationship with actress-singer Sulakshana Pandit, but he never married her.

“He had two heart attacks before he met Sulakshana Pandit. He didn’t want to marry anyone. He believed that his life was short, and he felt that way because all the men in his family died before the age of 50. He believed that he too would die before the age of 50, so he didn’t want to get married and ruin someone else’s life,” Hahn said.

Sanjeev Kumar passed away on 6 November 1985.