Remembering Jeevan

( October 24, 1915 to June 10, 1987 )

Film making is a team work but the success of the film normally gets attributed to the  heroes, heroines, directors, music composers and story writers. But it is always forgotten that  some of the actors who are neither  in lead roles nor even in supporting actor roles contribute significantly to the success of the film. Unfortunately  media does not have any time or space for them. Obviously they are not crowd pullers but the crowd on exiting  the theatre remarks about them ' wah ! kya kaam kiya hai '. One of such actors was ' Jeevan .....'

Jeevan, born as ' Omkar nath Dhar ', hailed from a royal family. His grandfather was Governor of Giligit. But he ran to Bombay to become an actor with only 26 rupees in his pocket as films in those days  were considered  taboo in the respectable families. He initially started with a job of sticking silver papers on reflectors in Mohan Studios. Gradually he was promoted as an actor. In the beginning, in the era of mytholgical fims he used to do role of Narad Muni. Later His peculiar nasal voice and somewhat sarcastic tone  of dialogue delivery made him suitable for the roles of villain. His notable films include Kanoon, Naya Daur, Nou do Gyarah, Ankhen, Johny Mera Naam, Amar Akbar Anthony , Naseeb, Roti, Suhaag, Lawaris, Sanam teri kasam, Hathkadi and so on. Unfortunately the towering presence of   'Pran ' as a villain prevented Jeevan to have access to lead roles of villain in big banner films and his potential as an actor could not be exploited.

Jeevan remained active till his last days till  he passed away in 1987. He did not receive any recognition, any award for any of his roles. But he still remains in the memory of film goers especially for his roles of 'Heera' in Johny Mera Naam and 'Robert' in Amar Akbar Anthony !