Sanjeev Kumar used to call my father ‘boss’: Swaroop Sampat Rawal

23rd August, 2022 – Mumbai :A special book reading session of Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta and Uday Jariwala’s bestselling book ‘Sanjeev Kumar – The Actor We All Loved’ was held at the University of Mumbai ( Department of Communication and Journalism ).

The hour long discussion in a packed hall was attended by over 200 keen students, who participated keenly in the proceedings. Sanjeev Kumar’s cinema and personal tribulations are part of this biographical narrative,‘Sanjeev Kumar – The Actor We All Loved’ presented by his beloved nephew Uday Jariwala and author Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta. A bestseller since its pre-order was launched this June 2022, the book has been garnering immense love from both young fans of cinema and old fans of Sanjeev Kumar.

Chief Guest Dr Swaroop Rawal said, “ my father Bachu Sampat was a theatre veteran and Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru had tasked him with starting INT (Indian National Theatre). Those days, Sanjeev Kumar had just started in Gujarati cinema and he used to call my father ‘boss.’

Author Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta added, “ Students of cinema, journalism and indeed any kind of art will always find Sanjeev Kumar special- he was an iconoclast, a courageous risk taker and a stellar performer. It took him tremendous courage to grow from stunt films to other low budget offerings to top of the line cinema- along the way, he battled depression and a heart disease that ran in his family, about which not much is spoken.”

“There are lessons in the life of a man who became a global superstar before the internet and social media. Lessons our students can learn from,” said Dr Sunder Rajdeep, HoD, Department of Communication and Journalism, University of Mumbai.

“Unfolding Sanjeev Kumar is always an enriching experience. The yesteryear actor is still relevant to the millennial generation, this shows the power and impact of Sanjeev Kumar’s acting. A biography on his life co-authored by none other than his nephew Uday Jariwala makes it a first hand information and more authentic. Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta, co-author with Jariwala has done a fantastic work by balancing the personal and professional shades of Sanjeev Kumar’s life in their book” says Prof. Daivata Patil, who moderated the discussion.

‘Sanjeev Kumar – The Actor We All Loved’ was officially released by Harper Collins on 9th July 2022, the late actor’s birth anniversary- on 9th July. The book has received rave reviews for the simplicity and thoroughness of its writing style and the vast support it has received from the film industry. The book is well researched, thoroughly entertaining to read and a historical document that will help readers relive an era. Dr Swaroop Rawal took to twitter after the talk to post a playful picture with Reeta Ramamurthy Gupta, one of the few female biographers in India.