Raj Babbar

d at the National School of Drama in the year 1975. Raj Babbar went on to train in method acting at the institute where he got the chance to be part of many stage plays. After completing his acting course he moved to Mumbai where he went on to make his film debut in the year 1977.

Film debut and rise to prominence ( 1977-1980) Raj Babbar made his film debut with Amrit Nahata’s political satire flick Kissa Kursi Kaa starring Shabana Azmi and Utpal Dutt in other lead roles having him in a supporting role. But the movie never got released as the Censor Board confiscated all the prints of the movie due to the potential spoofing of politician Sanjay Gandhi in the sarcastic flick. However Raj Babbar made his official release debut with drama flick Aap To Aisa Na The in the year 1980 alongside Deepak Parashar, Ranjeeta Kaur and more in the lead. The movie had him playing a young man who finds it hard to assert himself to his lover’s denial for him. The film got him recognized among the cinema goers and set the right platform. After a underperformer flick Jazbaat opposite Zerena Wahab the same year, He went on to garner success with the family drama Sau Din Saas Ke , sharing screen with Ashok Kumar, Reena Roy and more in the forefront. Raj Babbar got his much needed break in Bollywood with the box office success of the movie. Detour to Punjabi Cinema and career turnaround phase ( 1980- 1985) Raj Babbar made his debut in Punjabi cinema with The National Award winning Chann Pardesi opposite Rama Vij, Amrish Puri and Om Puri in the lead. The immediate success of the movie laid the foundation of a long illustrious career for Raj in Punjabi cinema. Raj Babbar however had his major career turning point in B.R Chopra’s revenge drama film Insaaf Ka Tarazu in 1980. The movie which saw him pairing with Zeenat Aman and Padmini Kohlapure saw him playing a rape accused culprit and was seen coming up with a ravaging portrayal of the character. He then went on to appear along an ensemble star cast consisting of Sanjeev Kumar, Shabana Azmi, Mithun Chakraborty and many more. The movie which was a retelling of Mahabharata in a rural setting had reprising the role of Arjuna from the epic and was a strong footed part. Raj Babbar then was called upon by ace visionary Shyam Benegal’s for his ensemble social drama flick Kalyug along with Shashi Kapoor, Sathyadev Dubey and Rekha. The critically acclaimed tale of business rivalry between two affluent families had him playing a major player on one side which added to his career leap in offbeat films of the time. He then after being part of two mediocre outings in the form of Raaz and Poonam in the year 1981, Raj had yet another career break in the same year through the musical romance movie Prem Geet opposite Anita Raj. The trials and tribulations face in a relationship between the members of a dance troupe was a welcome hit at the time and proved to be an image changer for Babbar bringing about a new dimension to his filmography and proving to be a possible game changer for him. Raj maintained the good run by going on to be part of critical and commercial successes like Umrao Jaan, Tajurba, Armaan, Daulat, Aapas Ki Baat, Jeevan Dhara in 1982. Array of releases ( 1983-1984) Raj Babbar started his 1983 with the super hitdrama film Arpan, alongside Reena Roy and Jeetendra in the lead. His next releases Agar Tum Na Hote, Main Awara Hoon, Mazdoor were all commercial potboilers that saw him scoring big time in his filmography. Raj Babbar was seen in the Indo-Canadian-Bangladeshi production crime drama Gehri Chot-Urf: Durdesh co-starring Shashi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore and Parveen Babi. Veteran filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee was next in line to cast him in a guest cameo appearance his cult comedy flick Rang Birangi after which he went on to be part of popular outings like Naukar Biwi Ka, Rishta Kagaz Ka, Aaj Ki Awaaz. Dev Anand’s directorial Anand Aur Anand which had him as an impotent union man who faces several tribulations due to an illegitimate agreement with his boss. Other important movies in various languages ( 1985-2015) Maha Shaktimaan Lavaa Salma Angaarey Dahleez Baat Ban Jaye Mirch Masala Sansar Mahaveera Vijay Rama Aur Rama Zakhmi Aurat Marhi Da Deeva Amiri Garibi Rudaali Aankhen Gupt: The Hidden Truth Barsaat Baaghi Indian LOC Kargil Shikar Bunty Aur Babli Corporate Banaras: A Mysterious Love Story Karzzz Bodyguard Force Khiladi 786 Karbonn His most noted Punjabi productions are Aasra Pyaar Da, Mahaul Theek Hai, Yaaran Naal Baharan, Ek Jind EK Jaan, Apni Boli Apna Des and Tera Mera Ki Rishta.