Rajendra Gupta
Encyclopedia
Rajendra Gupta is an India
n film, television and theater actor and director who is best known for his television roles of Pandit Jagarnath in the 1990s Doordarshan
fantasy television series Chandrakanta
and Sudha's father - Jagat Narayan - in the 1998-2001 Sony TV
drama Saaya
.
An alumnus of the National School of Drama
(1972 batch), Gupta has worked in numerous television serials and films. He played the role of the Mukhiya (village headman) of Champaner in the Oscar-nominated 2001 film Lagaan
.
. His father ran a woolen textiles business but Gupta had no interest in the business; his interests lay, instead, in dramatics and theater. Gupta met wife-to-be, Veena, a Christian, in Indore when he went there to take part in a college play. Since Veena's parents did not agree to their marriage, the couple eloped to Bhopal, got married, and then returned home.
In 1972, Gupta enrolled himself at the New Delhi-based National School of Drama and completed his post graduation in direction.
Gupta's daughter, Ravee Gupta, is a television actress.
for appearing in the most number of television serials - over 40 of them.
In a 2001 interview with the Times of India, he mentioned that of all the films that he has done, he is proud of his work in Lagaan
(2001) and Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro
(1989). Since then he has gone on to work in critically acclaimed films such as Amu
, Sehar
and Guru. In the same interview, he said that among his television roles, his work in the Syed Mirza-Kundan Shah
serial Intezaar (as the Senior Station Master), the fantasy series Chandrakanta
(as Pandit Jagarnath), and Saaya
(as Jagat Narayan) were among his best.
Gupta is the actor-director of plays such as Sarphire and Jaheez Hatyare, both based on writer-philosopher Albert Camus
’ French play The Just Assassins
, and Sooraj Ki Antim Kiran Se Sooraj Ke Pehle Kiran Tak based on Surendra Verma
's 1965 Hindi play.
Gupta has acted in many Hindi plays, but Chanakyashastra and Kanyadaan, a play by noted playwright Vijay Tendulkar
, are two plays he did in English.
Rajendra Gupta and noted actress Neena Gupta
run a theater production company - Sahaj Productions.
As actor
India
India , officially the Republic of India , is a country in South Asia. It is the seventh-largest country by geographical area, the second-most populous country with over 1.2 billion people, and the most populous democracy in the world...
n film, television and theater actor and director who is best known for his television roles of Pandit Jagarnath in the 1990s Doordarshan
DoorDarshan
Doordarshan is an Indian public service broadcaster, a division of Prasar Bharati. It is one of the largest broadcasting organizations in India in terms of the infrastructure of studios and transmitters. Recently, it has also started Digital Terrestrial Transmitters. On September 15, 2009,...
fantasy television series Chandrakanta
Chandrakanta (TV series)
Chandrakanta is an Indian fantasy television series partly based on Devaki Nandan Khatri's novel Chandrakanta. It was originally telecast on Doordarshan in the early 1995 and was produced by Nirja Guleri and directed by Sunil Agnihotri....
and Sudha's father - Jagat Narayan - in the 1998-2001 Sony TV
Sony Entertainment Television (India)
This article is about the SET channel in India. For the Indian version broadcasted worldwide, see Sony Entertainment Television Asia.Sony Entertainment Television, or SET, is a Hindi-language based general entertainment television channel in India. It was launched in October 1996 and is owned by...
drama Saaya
Saaya (TV series)
Saaya is an Indian soap opera aired on Sony TV in late 1990s. The series was produced by popular production house, UTV Software Communications.-Cast:*Mansi Joshi ... Sudha*Achint Kaur ... Kamiya*Harsh Chhaya*R. Madhavan*Anup Soni*Savita Prabhune...
.
An alumnus of the National School of Drama
National School of Drama
National School of Drama is a theatre training institute situated at New Delhi, India, established . It is an autonomous organization under Ministry of Culture, Government of India. It was set up in 1959 by the Sangeet Natak Akademi, and became an independent school in 1975...
(1972 batch), Gupta has worked in numerous television serials and films. He played the role of the Mukhiya (village headman) of Champaner in the Oscar-nominated 2001 film Lagaan
Lagaan
Lagaan is a 2001 Bollywood sports film written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. Aamir Khan, who was also the producer for the film, stars with Gracy Singh in the lead roles; British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne play the supporting roles...
.
Life
Gupta was born in a business family in Panipat and did his graduation from the Kurukshetra UniversityKurukshetra University
Kurukshetra University was established in 1956 in Kurukshetra in Haryana, India, situated 160 km from Delhi, and member of Association of Commonwealth Universities The Kurukshetra University was the dream of the then Punjab Governor, Sir Chandeshwar Prasad Narayan Singh, a great Sanskrit...
. His father ran a woolen textiles business but Gupta had no interest in the business; his interests lay, instead, in dramatics and theater. Gupta met wife-to-be, Veena, a Christian, in Indore when he went there to take part in a college play. Since Veena's parents did not agree to their marriage, the couple eloped to Bhopal, got married, and then returned home.
In 1972, Gupta enrolled himself at the New Delhi-based National School of Drama and completed his post graduation in direction.
Gupta's daughter, Ravee Gupta, is a television actress.
Films and television
Gupta and his family moved to Bombay in 1985 and he started working in television serials; three years later he entered films. Gupta has acted in innumerable television serials and films; so much so that in 1990, his name was included in the Limca Book of RecordsLimca Book of Records
Limca Book of Records is a record book of Indian origin. First published in 1990, when the Limca Brand was owned by Parle Group. The book continued to be published by Coca-Cola, when they bought the Limca Brand. The 20th edition of this book was released by Amitabh Bachchan in March 2009...
for appearing in the most number of television serials - over 40 of them.
In a 2001 interview with the Times of India, he mentioned that of all the films that he has done, he is proud of his work in Lagaan
Lagaan
Lagaan is a 2001 Bollywood sports film written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. Aamir Khan, who was also the producer for the film, stars with Gracy Singh in the lead roles; British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne play the supporting roles...
(2001) and Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro
Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro
Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro is a 1989 Indian film directed by Saeed Akhtar Mirza, with Pavan Malhotra as lead. The film won the 1990 National Film Award for Best Cinematography.-Plot:...
(1989). Since then he has gone on to work in critically acclaimed films such as Amu
Amu (film)
Amu is a critically acclaimed 2005 film directed by Shonali Bose, based on her own novel by the same name. It stars Konkona Sen Sharma, Brinda Karat, and Ankur Khanna...
, Sehar
Sehar
Sehar is an Indian Hindi language action crime drama film directed by Kabeer Kaushik, starring Arshad Warsi, Pankaj Kapur, Sushant Singh and Mahima Chaudhary. Based on real-life incidents and individuals, the film depicts organized crime in the late '90s in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India and...
and Guru. In the same interview, he said that among his television roles, his work in the Syed Mirza-Kundan Shah
Kundan Shah
Kundan Shah is an Indian film director and writer.He is most known for his comedy classic Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro and his 1985-1986, TV series Nukkad with Saeed Akhtar Mirza.-Biography:...
serial Intezaar (as the Senior Station Master), the fantasy series Chandrakanta
Chandrakanta (TV series)
Chandrakanta is an Indian fantasy television series partly based on Devaki Nandan Khatri's novel Chandrakanta. It was originally telecast on Doordarshan in the early 1995 and was produced by Nirja Guleri and directed by Sunil Agnihotri....
(as Pandit Jagarnath), and Saaya
Saaya
Saaya may refer to:* Saaya, a 2003 Indian film.* Saaya , a 1990s television drama telecast on Sony Entertainment Television .* Saaya Irie, a Japanese actress, junior idol and singer.* Mera Saaya, a 1966 Indian film....
(as Jagat Narayan) were among his best.
Stage
In spite of having played meaty parts in many films and television serials, theater is Gupta's first love - his ultimate destination. He has acted in numerous plays and has directed at least twenty of his own.Gupta is the actor-director of plays such as Sarphire and Jaheez Hatyare, both based on writer-philosopher Albert Camus
Albert Camus
Albert Camus was a French author, journalist, and key philosopher of the 20th century. In 1949, Camus founded the Group for International Liaisons within the Revolutionary Union Movement, which was opposed to some tendencies of the Surrealist movement of André Breton.Camus was awarded the 1957...
’ French play The Just Assassins
The Just Assassins
The Just Assassins is a 1949 play by Algerian writer and philosopher Albert Camus....
, and Sooraj Ki Antim Kiran Se Sooraj Ke Pehle Kiran Tak based on Surendra Verma
Surendra Verma
Surendra Verma is a leading Hindi litterateur and playwright. He started out as a playwright, when his play Surya Ki Antim Kiran Se Surya Ki Pahli Kiran Tak , became quite well known, has been translated into six Indian languages. Has had a long association with the National School of Drama...
's 1965 Hindi play.
Gupta has acted in many Hindi plays, but Chanakyashastra and Kanyadaan, a play by noted playwright Vijay Tendulkar
Vijay Tendulkar
Vijay Tendulkar was a leading Indian playwright, movie and television writer, literary essayist, political journalist, and social commentator primarily in Marāthi...
, are two plays he did in English.
Rajendra Gupta and noted actress Neena Gupta
Neena Gupta
Neena Gupta is an Indian film and television actress and director-producer. She won the 1994 National Film Award for Best Supporting Actress for Woh Chokri. She is a popular actress in Indian commercial cinema, but it is her work with art filmmakers of India, like Shyam Benegal that got her...
run a theater production company - Sahaj Productions.
Films
- Main Zinda Hoon (1988)
- Salim Langde Pe Mat RoSalim Langde Pe Mat RoSalim Langde Pe Mat Ro is a 1989 Indian film directed by Saeed Akhtar Mirza, with Pavan Malhotra as lead. The film won the 1990 National Film Award for Best Cinematography.-Plot:...
(1989) - Haque (1991)
- Jaan Se PyaaraJaan Se PyaaraJaan Se Pyaara is a 1992 Bollywood family film directed by Anand starring Govinda in a dual role and Divya Bharti.-Plot:Police Inspector Jai lives a middle-class life with his mother and physically and mentally challenged brother, Sunder. One day he arrests a man named Pandey, and after questioning...
(1992) - Pratimurti (1993)
- Tarpan (1994)
- TaaqatTaaqat (1995 film)Taaqat is a 1995 Bollywood romantic crime film about two influential gangsters working for opposite political parties. It is directed and written by Talat Jani and stars Dharmendra, Shatrughan Sinha and Kajol...
(1995) - Bhai (1997)
- DaavaDaavaDaava is a 1997 Hindi movie directed by Sunil Agnihotri and starring Akshay Kumar, Raveena Tandon, Naseeruddin Shah and Akshay Anand.- Plot :...
(1997) - Dil Kya Kare (1999)
- BenaamBenaam (1999 film)Benaam is a 1999 Hindi-language Indian feature film directed by T L V Prasad, starring Mithun Chakraborty, Payal Malhotra, Aditya Pancholi, Ashish Vidyarthi, Kiran Kumar and Johny Lever-Cast:*Mithun Chakraborty*Payal Malhotra*Aditya Pancholi...
(1999) - Laado (2000) - Haryanvi Film
- Mission KashmirMission KashmirMission Kashmir is a 2000 Bollywood film directed and produced by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and starring Sanjay Dutt, Hrithik Roshan, Preity Zinta and Jackie Shroff as the main characters. Mission Kashmir follows the life and tragedy of a young boy named Altaaf after his entire family gets killed by...
(2000) - Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho GayaRaja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho GayaRaja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya is a 2000 film directed by T. K. Rajeev Kumar and starring Arvind Swamy and Manisha Koirala.-Cast:* Arvind Swamy..........Mohit Kumar * Manisha Koirala.......Manisha* Dilip Dhawan ... Rohit Kumar...
(2000) - LagaanLagaanLagaan is a 2001 Bollywood sports film written and directed by Ashutosh Gowariker. Aamir Khan, who was also the producer for the film, stars with Gracy Singh in the lead roles; British actors Rachel Shelley and Paul Blackthorne play the supporting roles...
(2001) - Tum BinTum BinTum Bin - Love Will Find the Way is a 2001 Hindi movie directed by Anubhav Sinha. It starred Sandali Sinha, Himanshu Malik, Priyanshu Chatterjee and Rakesh Bapat in the leading roles.-Plot summary:...
(2001) - Swaraaj (2002)
- Ek Hindustani (2003)
- BastiBasti (film)Basti is a 2003 Indian crime film. The film stars Samir Soni and Faisal Khan in lead roles, with Sheeba in a special guest appearance, Shama Sikander, Govind Namdeo, Sadashiv Amrapurkar and Kulbhushan Kharbanda in supporting roles.-Plot:The film starts with a voice narrating a small town of Mumbai...
(2003) - Mumbai Se Aaya Mera DostMumbai Se Aaya Mera DostMumbai Se Aaya Mera Dost is a 2003 Bollywood movie starring Abhishek Bachchan, Lara Dutta, Aditya Lakhia, and Yashpal Sharma. The film is directed by Apoorva Lakhia. The film touched on the subject of influence of television on village life.-Synopsis:...
(2003) - Krishna CottageKrishna CottageKrishna Cottage is a 2004 Bollywood Horror film directed by the debuting Santram Varma. It was produced by the mother-daughter team of Ekta Kapoor and Shobha Kapoor, better known for producing Indian television soap operas, and starred Sohail Khan, Anita Hassanandani, and Ishaa Koppikar in the...
(2004) - HatyaHatya (2004 film)Hatya: The Murder is a 2004 Hindi Fantasy / Action film. It Stars Akshay Kumar, Navin Nischol, Raza Murad & Varsha Usgaonkar.-Plot:Ravi Lal lives a wealthy lifestyle with his father Ratanlal his mother Seema and with his sister. Meanwhile Ravi has fallen in love with Kavita and they get married...
(2004) - SeharSeharSehar is an Indian Hindi language action crime drama film directed by Kabeer Kaushik, starring Arshad Warsi, Pankaj Kapur, Sushant Singh and Mahima Chaudhary. Based on real-life incidents and individuals, the film depicts organized crime in the late '90s in the state of Uttar Pradesh, India and...
(2005) - AmuAmu (film)Amu is a critically acclaimed 2005 film directed by Shonali Bose, based on her own novel by the same name. It stars Konkona Sen Sharma, Brinda Karat, and Ankur Khanna...
(2005) - James (2005)
- Guru (2007)
- ApneApneApne is a 2007 Bollywood film directed by Anil Sharma. This is the first and one of the two films to feature real life father and sons Dharmendra, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol together. Sunny and Bobby have worked together before in Dillagi. Kiron Kher, Shilpa Shetty and Katrina Kaif play the female...
(2007) - Jab We MetJab We MetJab We Met is a 2007 Hindi romantic comedy film directed and written by Imtiaz Ali. The film, produced by Dhillin Mehta under Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd, stars Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor in their fourth film together...
(2007) - Rakht Charitra (2010) - HindiHindiStandard Hindi, or more precisely Modern Standard Hindi, also known as Manak Hindi , High Hindi, Nagari Hindi, and Literary Hindi, is a standardized and sanskritized register of the Hindustani language derived from the Khariboli dialect of Delhi...
, TeluguTelugu languageTelugu is a Central Dravidian language primarily spoken in the state of Andhra Pradesh, India, where it is an official language. It is also spoken in the neighbouring states of Chattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Orissa and Tamil Nadu...
, TamilTamil languageTamil is a Dravidian language spoken predominantly by Tamil people of the Indian subcontinent. It has official status in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu and in the Indian union territory of Pondicherry. Tamil is also an official language of Sri Lanka and Singapore... - Tanu Weds ManuTanu Weds ManuTanu Weds Manu is a 2011 Hindi romantic comedy film directed by Anand L. Rai, and produced by Shailesh R Singh. It stars R. Madhavan, Kangana Ranaut and Jimmy Shergill in the lead roles. The story of the film has been written by Himanshu Sharma, music is directed by Krsna and the lyrics penned by...
(2011)
Television
- Kahan Gaye Woh LogKahan Gaye Woh LogKahan Gaye Woh Log is an Indian television series that aired on Doordarshan network's national channel, DD National in 1985. The series is based on the theme of Patriotism, and tells the story of people fighting for their nation, India, who have sacrificed their future for future of other Indians...
(1985) - NukkadNukkadNukkad was the name of a popular Hindi TV serial that aired on the Indian Television channel DD National in 1986 - 87. It was co-directed by Kundan Shah and Saeed Akhtar Mirza, and was written by Prabodh Joshi....
(1980s) - Intezaar (1980s) as the Senior Station Master
- Bharat Ek KhojBharat Ek KhojBharat Ek Khoj is a 53-episode television series that dramatically unfolds the 5000 year history of India from its beginnings to the coming of independence in 1947...
(1980s) - Mirza Ghalib (1988)
- ChandrakantaChandrakanta (TV series)Chandrakanta is an Indian fantasy television series partly based on Devaki Nandan Khatri's novel Chandrakanta. It was originally telecast on Doordarshan in the early 1995 and was produced by Nirja Guleri and directed by Sunil Agnihotri....
(1990s) as Pandit Jagannath - ShaktimanShaktimanShaktimaan, is a fictional Indian television superhero created by Nirmal Jani and telecasted on Doordarshan, India's national television network. It was first aired on September 13, 1997. It has also aired on the Pogo in English, Chutti TV in Tamil and repeated its Hindi telecast on STAR Utsav...
(1996) as Geeta's Father - SaayaSaaya (TV series)Saaya is an Indian soap opera aired on Sony TV in late 1990s. The series was produced by popular production house, UTV Software Communications.-Cast:*Mansi Joshi ... Sudha*Achint Kaur ... Kamiya*Harsh Chhaya*R. Madhavan*Anup Soni*Savita Prabhune...
(1998) as Jagat Narayan - Ullanghan (1999)
- Choti Si Aasha (1999)
- AashirwadAashirwad (TV series)Aashirwad was a popular Hindi television serial that aired on Zee TV in 1998. The serial was based on story of two best friends who raise their next generation in different style from one another.-Plot:...
(1998) - Parsa (2004)
- RaavanRaavan (TV series)Raavan was a show that was broadcast on Zee TV from November 18, 2006, to May 31, 2008, about the journey of the greatest villain in Indian mythology, Ravana.-Plot:...
(2005) - Banoo Main Teri Dulhan (2006)
- Kuchh Is TaraKuchh Is TaraKuchh Is Tara is an Indian television series that aired on Sony TV and quickly gained popularity until it was axed by SET Asia for no reason. The series aired every Monday - Thursday at 6:00pm from November 2007 to August 2008.-Plot:...
(2007) - Ek Kahani
- Ranbir RanoRanbir RanoRanbir Rano is a Hindi television series that aired on Zee TV channel between September 22, 2008 - May 28, 2009. The story summary is: two young souls in search of love, as and a natural view of the Punjab and an unconditional belief in the power of destiny....
(2008) - Hum LadkiyanHum LadkiyanHum Ladkiyan - Maayke Se Sasural Tak is a forthcoming Hindi television drama series that is scheduled to air on October 13, 2008 on Sony TV channel. The story focues on the life journey of the four vivacious girls.- Plot :...
(2008) - Rehna hai teri palkon ki chhaon me (2010)
- Balika VadhuBalika Vadhu-Plot:Balika Vadhu—Kachchi Umar Ke Pakke Rishte is a highly popular Indian television series that airs every Monday to Friday at 8pm on Colors TV. It is also telecast in Raj TV as Man Vasanai in Tamil and Chinnari Pellikuthuru in Telugu...
(2009-2010) as Mahaveer Singh
Stage
As director- Sarphire / Jaheez Hatyare (1985, 2003, 2004, 2006)
- Sooraj Ki Antim Kiran Se Sooraj Ke Pehle Kiran Tak
- Dikhti..Khoob Ho!
As actor
- Sarphire
- Sar Sar Sarla
- Sooraj Ki Antim Kiran Se Sooraj Ke Pehle Kiran Tak
- Chanakyashastra
- Kanyadaan
- Dikhti..Khoob Ho!