Raj Babbar

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Raj Babbar
Babbar in 2012
Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha
In office
14 March 2015 – 25 November 2020
Succeeded byNaresh Bansal
ConstituencyUttarakhand
President of Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee
In office
12 July 2016 – 7 October 2019
Preceded byNirmal Khatri
Succeeded byAjay Kumar Lallu
Member of Parliament
for Firozabad
In office
By-elections Nov 2009 – 2014
Preceded byRam Ji Lal Suman
Succeeded byAkshay Yadav
Member of Parliament
for Agra
In office
1999–2009
Preceded byBhagwan Shankar Rawat
Succeeded byRam Shankar Katheria
MP of Rajya Sabha
In office
1994–1999
ConstituencyUttar Pradesh
Personal details
Born (1952-06-23) 23 June 1952 (age 71)
Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
Political partyIndian National Congress
Other political
affiliations
Samajwadi Party
Janata Dal
Spouse(s)
(m. 1975; sep. 1983)

(m. 1983; died 1986)
ChildrenArya Babbar
Juhi Babbar
Prateik Babbar
Parent(s)Kushal Kumar Babbar (father)
Shobha Babbar (mother)
RelativesKajri Babbar (niece)[1][2]
(See Babbar family)
Alma materNSD Delhi
Agra University
Profession
  • Actor
  • politician
Years active1979–present
SignatureRaj Babbar

Raj Babbar (born 23 June 1952) is an Indian Hindi and Punjabi film actor and politician belonging to Indian National Congress. He is a three-time member of the Lok Sabha and a two-time member of the Rajya Sabha. He was the state President of Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee.[3]

Early life[edit]

Babbar was born in Agra, Uttar Pradesh, into a Punjabi Sunar[4] family on 23 June 1952. His family has long settled in Tundla, Firozabad since the partition.[5] He did his initial schooling from Mufid-E-Aam Inter college, Agra. He is an alumnus of the 1975 class of the National School of Drama and graduate from Agra College.[6][7]

Career[edit]

He trained in the Method school of acting at NSD, which is involved in Street Theatre. After his training in New Delhi, he moved to Mumbai and started his film career with Reena Roy, one of the well-known actresses of that time. He gained notoriety for his horrific portrayal of a rapist in the movie Insaf Ka Tarazu, in which he assaulted the heroine Zeenat Aman, and later her sister, and in the end, is shot and killed by the heroine.

He became a consistent feature of the B. R. Chopra banner; such as in Nikaah with Deepak Parashar, Salma Agha and in Aaj Ki Aawaz with Smita Patil and others.

He also achieved success in Punjabi cinema as he gave remarkable performances in Chann Pardesi (1980), Marhi Da Deeva (1989), and Long Da Lishkara (1986) – three art house movies with serious themes treated in a realistic manner, and this was an innovation for the Punjabi films field. He also acted in the hit Punjabi films Aasra Pyar Da (1983), Mahaul Theek Hai (1999), Shaheed Uddham Singh (2000), Yaaran Naal Baharan (2005), Ek Jind Ek Jaan (2006), Apni Boli Apna Des (2009) and Tera Mera Ki Rishta (2009). He appeared in several movies as an antagonist in movies like Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980), Saazish (1988), Aankhen (1993), Dalaal (1993), The Gambler (1995), Andaz (1994), Yaarana (1995), Barsaat (1995), Ziddi (1997), Gundagardi (1997), Daag the Fire (1999), Indian (2001) and many more, some movies became successful, but some were commercial flops.

He has also acted in television. He appeared in the introductory episodes of the famous Indian TV series Mahabharat, as king Bharat, Bahadur Shah Zafar (1986), as Akbar, alongside the then debutant Juhi Chawla, and also in his home production series; Maharaja Ranjit Singh (2010), all telecast on Doordarshan. In 2014 and 2015, He acted in the serial telecast on Life OK; Pukaar - Call For The Hero, directed by Vipul Amrutlal Shah, with Rannvijay Singh, Adah Sharma and Shubhangi Latkar.

Political life[edit]

Raj Babbar entered politics by joining Janata Dal in 1989, which was led by V. P. Singh.

From 1994 to 1999 he was a member of the Rajya Sabha. He was re-elected in the 14th Lok Sabha elections for his second term in 2004. He was suspended from Samajwadi Party in 2006. Later he joined Indian National Congress in 2008 and was elected for his fourth term as Member of Parliament in 2009, by defeating Dimple Yadav, wife of Akhilesh Yadav and daughter-in-law of Mulayam Singh Yadav.[8] In the 2014 Lok Sabha elections, he contested from Ghaziabad and lost to General V. K. Singh.[9] He was appointed as the president of Uttar Pradesh congress committee (UPCC), but in 2019 elections he couldn't even manage to save his own seat and lost to Rajkumar Chahar of the Bharatiya Janata Party by a huge margin of 4,95,065 votes.

Raj Babbar, in the capacity of Congress spokesman, created controversy in 2013, by stating that Rs.12 is sufficient for a common man to get a full meal in Mumbai, which drew severe criticism.[10] He also said that a poor person in India can get full meals two times a day, within Rs. 28 to 32 and opposition parties termed Raj Babbar's statement laughable.[10] Later, he regretted his comments.[11] In July 2013, he compared Narendra Modi to Adolf Hitler, which also created controversy.[12]

Personal life[edit]

Raj with wife Nadira, July 2012

He married Nadira Zaheer, daughter of noted theatre personality Sajjad Zaheer. Arya Babbar and Juhi Babbar are his children from Nadira. By leaving Nadira he married the actress Smita Patil who gave birth to their son Prateik Babbar. He has two younger brothers, Kishan and Vinod (deceased) and four younger sisters.

Raj Babbar's niece Kajri Babbar is an upcoming filmmaker.[2][13][14][15]

He launched his own home production; Babbar Films Pvt. Ltd. along with his brother Kishan. Under this, he has produced two feature films, Karm Yodha (1992) and Kash Aap Hamare Hote (2003), and the serial Maharaja Ranjit Singh (TV series) (2010).

Awards and nominations[edit]

Selected acting filmography[edit]

Films[edit]

Year Film Role Note
1977 Kissa Kursi Ka
1980 Aap To Aise Na The
Jazbaat
Sau Din Saas Ke
Chann Pardesi Punjabi film
Insaaf Ka Tarazu Ramesh Gupta
Hum Paanch
Saajan Mere Main Saajan Ki
1981 Kalyug
Raaz
Poonam
Prem Geet
Sharda
Yeh Rishta Na Toote
Umrao Jaan
Tajurba
Armaan
Aapas Ki Baat
1982 Dulha Bikta Hai
Daulat
Bheegi Palkein
Jeevan Dhaara
Lakshmi
Nikaah
1983 Arpan
Agar Tum Na Hote
Aasra Pyar Da Punjabi film
Main Awara Hoon Rajeev Kumar
Mazdoor
Gehri Chot
Rang Birangi
Kalka
Mehndi
Naukar Biwi Ka
Paanchwin Manzil Raj
Rishta Kagaz Ka
1984 Aaj Ki Awaz Professor Prabhat Verma
Anand Aur Anand
Inteha
Jeene Nahi Doonga
Kanoon Meri Mutthi Mein
Maati Maangey Khoon
Pet Pyar Aur Paap
Shapath
1985 Jhoothi
Ek Chitthi Pyar Bhari
Haqeeqat
Hum Do Hamare Do
Jawaab
Aitbaar
Maha Shaktimaan
Meraa Ghar Mere Bachche
Lava
Salma
Ulta Seedha
1986 Angaarey
Long Da Lishkara Punjabi film
Dahleez
Kirayadar
Baat Ban Jaye
Suhagan
1987 Awam
Insaniyat Ke Dushman
Jaan Hatheli Pe
Mirch Masala
Muqaddar Ka Faisla
Sansar
1988 Andha Yudh
Hum Farishte Nahin
Kabzaa
Kanwarlal
Mahaveera
Mera Muqaddar
Rama O Rama
Vijay
Waaris
Libaas
Zakhmi Aurat
Paanch Fauladi
1989 Asmaan Se Ooncha
Marhi Da Deeva Punjabi film
Hisaab Khoon Ka
Hum Bhi Insaan Hain
Mohabat Ka Paigham
Suryaa: An Awakening
Jaaydaad
1990 Amiri Garibi
Agneekaal
Ghayal Ashok Mehra
Shadyantra
Qurbani Jatt Di Punjabi film
Do Yaar
1991 Gunehgar Kaun
Dharam Sankat
Swarg Jaisaa Ghar
Kasam Kali Ki
1992 Anutap Bengali film
Karm Yodha
Aaj Ka Goonda Raaj
Kal Ki Awaz
1993 Sadhna
Rudaali
Badi Bahen
Aankhen
Maya Memsaab
1994 Naseebo Punjabi film
Dalaal
Ucha Pind Punjabi film
1995 God and Gun
Sarhad: The Border of Crime
The Gambler Jaichand
Barsaat
Yaraana
1996 Maahir
1997 Gupt: The Hidden Truth
Itihaas
Qahar
Ziddi Jindaal
1998 Achanak
Maharaja
Prem Aggan
1999 Daag: The Fire
Shaheed Uddham Singh Punjabi film
Mahaul Theek Hai Punjabi film
2000 Baaghi
Aakhir Kaun Thi Woh?
2001 Indian
2002 Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa
The Legend of Bhagat Singh
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani
2003 LOC Kargil
Kash Aap Hamare Hote
2004 Police Force: An Inside Story
Bhola in Bollywood
Sheen
Shikaar
2005 Bunty Aur Babli
Yaaran Naal Baharran Punjabi film
2006 Corporate
Ek Jind Ek Jaan Punjabi film
Banaras
2007 Aap Kaa Surroor: The Movie Feroz Merchant
2008 Karzzz Officer G.G. Oberoi
Fashion
2009 Tera Mera Ki Rishta Punjabi film
Apni Boli Apna Des Punjabi film
2011 Bodyguard
Force
2012 Khiladi 786 Sattar Singh Hindi-Punjabi Film
2013 Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster Returns
Rabba Main Kya Karoon
Bullett Raja
2015 Tevar
Karbonn
2016 Force 2
2022 Bhoot Uncle Tusi Great Ho Bhoot Uncle Punjabi film

Television[edit]

Year Serial Role Channel Notes
1986 Bahadur Shah Zafar Akbar DD National
1988 Mahabharat Bharata DD National
2010 Maharaja Ranjit Singh Narrator DD National
2014-2015 Pukaar-Call For The Hero Life OK
2021 Dil Bekaraar LN Thakur Hotstar
2023 Happy Family: Conditions Apply[16] Mansukhlal Dholakia Amazon Prime
2023 The Kapil Sharma Show Self Sony Entertainment Television He appeared on the show with his sons Aarya, Prateik and daughter Juhi Babbar

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Festival cheer for Raj Babbar's niece Kajri". 2 April 2018. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  2. ^ a b "Raj Babbar's niece Kajri Babbar's short film 'Khoj' starring Salma Agha's daughter Zara Khan to release on Lohri". 11 January 2019. Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  3. ^ "Have resigned from UP Congress president post, says Raj Babbar". 21 March 2018. Archived from the original on 21 March 2018. Retrieved 21 March 2018 – via The Economic Times.
  4. ^ https://translate.google.com/translate?u=https://indianexpress.com/article/political-pulse/how-and-why-congress-chose-raj-babbar-to-head-up-fight/&hl=hi&sl=en&tl=hi&client=srp&prev=search
  5. ^ BHATNAGAR, GAURAV VIVEK (13 February 2012). "No Raj Babbar effect in play this time". The Hindu. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  6. ^ "Film Celebrities from Uttar Pradesh – Raj Babbar". Official Website of Film Bandhu, Information and Public Relation Department, Government of Uttar Pradesh, India. Archived from the original on 20 November 2022. Retrieved 20 November 2022.
  7. ^ Kidwai, Rasheed (5 September 2018). Neta–Abhineta: Bollywood Star Power in Indian Politics. Hachette India. ISBN 978-93-5009-803-5.
  8. ^ "Raj Babbar wins in Firozabad, blow to Mulayam". Indian Express. 10 November 2009. Retrieved 10 November 2009.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ "VK Singh wins Ghaziabad seat by 5.67 lakh votes, creates history - Times of India". The Times of India. 16 May 2014. Archived from the original on 8 July 2015. Retrieved 19 July 2014.
  10. ^ a b "Raj Babbar says he can get a full meal for Rs 12 in Mumbai". The Hindu. 24 July 2013. Archived from the original on 4 August 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  11. ^ "Raj Babbar eats crow for Rs. 12 meal remark, says sorry". India today. 26 July 2013. Archived from the original on 27 July 2013. Retrieved 26 July 2013.
  12. ^ "Congress compares Narendra Modi to Adolf Hitler; targets BJP over election panel". DNA India. 20 July 2013. Archived from the original on 22 August 2013. Retrieved 28 July 2013.
  13. ^ "Kajri Babbar's short film to release on Lohri". Archived from the original on 10 April 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  14. ^ "ZEE5 announces Kajri Babbar's award winning short film 'Khoj'". 12 January 2019. Archived from the original on 2 June 2019. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
  15. ^ "Raj Babbar Appointed Uttar Pradesh Congress Chef". NDTV. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
  16. ^ "Ratna Pathak Shah's 'Happy Family: Conditions Apply' trailer out, check out here". The Economic Times. 3 March 2023.

External links[edit]

Party political offices
Preceded by President
Uttar Pradesh Congress Committee

12 July 2016 – 7 October 2019
Succeeded by