Omkar Nath Dhar (24 October 1915 – 10 June 1987), better known by his stage name Jeevan, was an Indian actor. He played the role of Narad Muni in films of the 1950s, a total of 49 times.[1][2] Later, he played the villain in popular Bollywood films of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. His son Kiran Kumar (born Deepak Dhar) is also a film and television actor.[3]

Jeevan
Jeevan in the film Aakhri Dao
Born
Omkar Nath Dhar

(1915-10-24)24 October 1915
Died10 June 1987(1987-06-10) (aged 71)
OccupationActor
Years active1935–1986
ChildrenKiran Kumar, Bhushan Jeevan

Early life

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Jeevan was born into an aristocratic Kashmiri Pandit family. His grandfather, a nobleman, served as the governor of the Gilgit Agency. His mother died during childbirth and he lost his father when he was just three years old.[1]

Career

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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 a son of such a family, joining films would not have been accepted as films were considered taboo, so 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 Narad Muni in more than 60 films and theater shows of different languages. His most famous film as Narad Muni was the 1950 hit film “Har Har Mahadev” with Trilok Kapoor and Nirupa Roy. He became notable otherwise 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 to 1978 and in Manmohan Desai movies such as Amar Akbar Anthony and Dharam Veer as villains. He also starred in the Punjabi film Teri Meri Ek Jindri. His last movie was Insaaf Ki Manzil, released in 1986, produced by Ram Nandan Prasad and Directed by Braj Bhushan. He died on 10 June 1987 at the age of 71.[1]

Selected filmography

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Year Film Role Notes
1935 Romantic India
1940 Jagga Daku Punjabi movie name given in the movie (Dar Kashmiri)
1940 Anuradha
1942 Station Master
1946 Afasana
1948 Mela Mehku
1948 Ghar Ki Izzat Moti
1949 Karwat
1950 Har Har Mahadev
1950 Chhai Lala Carori Mall Punjabi Movie
1951 Afsana Chatpat
1951 Tarana Diwansaheb
1954 Chandni Chowk Ibrahim Baig
1954 Nagin Pravir
1956 Taj Trishanku Singh
1957 Nau Do Gyarah Surjeet
1957 Naya Daur Kundan
1958 Phagun Madhal
1958 Do Phool Masterji
1960 Kanoon Kalidas
1960 Kohinoor
1962 Rungoli Sadhuram
1962 Shiv Parvati Narad Muni
1963 Bidesiya Chhote Thakur Bhojpuri Film
1964 Main Jatti Punjab Di Duni chand Punjabi Movie
1964 Zindagi Banke
1965 Mahabharat Shakuni
1965 Waqt Orphanage Warden
1966 Phool Aur Patthar Jeevanram
1966 Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya Bhagat
1967 Hamraaz Thakur
1967 Badrinath Yatra Shivanand
1967 Aag
1968 Aabroo Darwajalal
1968 Ankhen
1968 Aulad Munim Ramlal
1969 Bandhan Jeevanlal
1969 Talash John
1969 Intaquam Bankelal
1969 Badi Didi Lala
1970 Maharaja (1970 film) Lala
1970 Johny Mera Naam Heera
1970 Heer Ranjha Kaazi
1970 Pardesi
1970 Mere Humsafar Mittal
1972 Garam Masala Captain Kishore Chandra
1972 Bhai Ho To Aisa Ram & Bharat's Mamaji
1972 Narad Leela Narad
1973 Shareef Budmaash Diwan Saheb
1973 Anokhi Ada Khishiram
1973 Banarasi Babu V. K. Saxena
1973 Do Phool Advocate Vardhraj
1974 Roti Lala
1975 Teri Meri Ik Jindri Jagga Daku Punjabi Movie
1975 Ek Gaon ki Kahani Lala Dindayal
1975 Anokha Manchanda
1975 Dharmatma Anokhelal
1976 Sabse Bada Rupaiyaa Dhanraj
1976 Sacha Mera Roop Hai Kudam Punjabi Movie
1976 Aaj Ka Mahaatma Head Clerk
1977 Darling Darling
1977 Amar Akbar Anthony Robert / Albert
1977 Dharam Veer Satpal Singh
1977 Dildaar Sarpanch Charandas 'Mukhiya'
1977 Chacha Bhatija Laxmidas
1978 Phaansi Lala
1979 Dada Bihari
1979 Surakshaa Hiralal
1979 Gopal Krishna Narad Muni
1979 Suhaag Pascal
1980 Takkar Kishan, Vijay & Meena's Mamaji
1980 Khanjar
1981 Naseeb Professor Prem
1981 Lawaaris Lala
1981 Professor Pyarelal Shyamlal / Sammy
1981 Yaarana Kishan & Bishan's Mamaji
1981 Bulundi Babulal Bhakhri
1981 Commander
1981 Poonam Sinha
1982 Teesri Aankh Paul
1982 Ashanti Malik
1982 Sanam Teri Kasam Wilson
1982 Desh Premee Munim
1982 Haathkadi Suraj
1983 Nishan Diwanji
1984 Zakhmi Sher Lawyer
1985 Geraftaar Lucy's Father
1986 Insaaf Ki Manzil
1986 Kala Dhanda Goray Log Kidnapper
1986 Ek Aur Sikander Micheal
1986 Aakhri Sanghursh This film was supposed to be released in 1986 but was released in 1997
1991 Iraada Mr.Gupta

References

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  1. ^ a b c d http://cineplot.com/jeevan-memories Memories of Jeevan
  2. ^ Agnihotri, Ram Awatar (1992). Artistes and their films of modern Hindi cinema: cultural and sociopolitical impact on society, 1931-1991. Commonwealth Publishers. ISBN 978-81-7169-180-7. Retrieved 10 July 2011.
  3. ^ "In the limelight: Seasoned actor Kiran Kumar talks of the many shades of his career". The Hindu. 13 November 2008. Archived from the original on 9 March 2009.
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