Roopesh Kumar (16 January 1946 – 29 January 1995) was a character actor in Bollywood films, especially known for his role as a villain in over 100 Hindi films from 1965 to 1995. He is widely remembered for his comic negative roles in the films like Seeta Aur Geeta and The Great Gambler. He was the cousin of actress Mumtaz.
Personal life
Kumar was born in Mumbai as Abbas Farashahi. He was the oldest child of Ali Asgar Farashahi (Asgar Seth of Pune City, Mandai) and Mariam. He was a student of Dastur School in Pune. From his early childhood he was interested in acting. His family were in the restaurant and bakery business in Pune but he chose to be an actor. Kumar was fondly known as Dadash (meaning brother in Persian). He was very close to his cousin actresses Mumtaz and Malika. His oldest daughter is married to Dilip Kumar's nephew Zahid Khan and they have two children.
On 29 January 1995, Kumar suffered a heart attack while attending an awards ceremony and was rushed to hospital. He died in the ambulance on the way to the hospital at the age of 49.
Career
He started his career with Tarzan and King Kong in 1965 and went on to play supporting roles of mostly villains throughout the 1970s and 1980s. His most well known films include Andaz (1971), Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), Chacha Bhatija (1977), The Great Gambler (1979), Jaani Dushman (1979), Hum Paanch (1980), Bade Dilwala (1983) and Guru (1989). He also produced and directed two films, Hai Meri Jaan (1991) and Meri Aan (1993). His last film release was Paappi Devataa in 1995, the same year of his death.
Selected filmography
Rustom E Hind (1965) Main Wohi Hoon (1966) as Rajan Sapno Ka Saudagar (1968) as Kumar Pran Nath Singh Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969) as Abdul Rashid Jeene Ki Raah (1969) as Rasdas Sharafat (1970) as Arun Jeevan Mrityu (1970) as Sameer Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) as Sunny Andaz (1971) as Badal Raampur Ka Lakshman (1972) as Chhaganlal Pandey Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) as Ranjeet Loafer (1973) as Rakesh Prabhat (1973) as Ramesh Aashiana (1974) Insaaniyat (1974) as Girdharilal Paap Aur Punya (1974) as Tiger's Associate Zinda Dil (1975) as Ghanshyam Thakur Mere Sartaj (1975) as Asad Nagin (1976) as Meena's Husband Naach Uthe Sansaar (1976) as Johnny Phir Janam Lenge Hum (1977) as Hamid Jay Vejay (1977) as King Diler S. Jung Chacha Bhatija (1977) as Kiran Dildaar (1977) as Prasad Karm (1977) as Premnath Kasam Khoon Ki (1977) as Sher Singh, Sharp Shooter Doosra Aadmi (1977) as Rupesh Amar Deep (1979) as Ramesh Jaani Dushman (1979) as Shera's Uncle The Great Gambler (1979) as Sethi Lok Parlok (1979) as Hotel's Manager Choron Ki Baaraat (1980) as Jaggu Red Rose as Inspector Bhushan Hum Paanch (1980) as Vijay Guest House (1980) as Kantilal Do Premee (1980) as Suresh Insaan (1982 film) Nishaan (1983) as Veeru Souten (1983) as Bingo, photographer Bade Dil Wala (1983) as Prem Maati Maangey Khoon (1984) Aasmaan (1984) Asha Jyoti (1984) as Hukumchand Babu (1985 film) as Jaggu Dada Pyar Jhukta Nahin (1985) as Rohit Prasad Hum Dono (1985) Preeti (1986) Muddat (1986) as Bhagwat Singh Insaaf Ki Awaaz (1986) as Mahendranath Loha (1987) as Prisoner Daku Hasina (1987) as Rana Zakhmi Aurat(1988) Kasam (1988) as Police Officer Sachai Ki Taqat (1989) as Rekha's Brother Daata (1989) as G. D.'s Employee Guru (1989) Mujrim (1989) as Gulati Jurrat (1989) as Girdhar Karishma Kali Kaa (1990) as Police Inspector Ganpat Godbole Haar Jeet (1990 film) Yeh Aag Kab Bujhegi (1991) as Kanhaiyalal Pratigyabadh (1991) as Tej bahadur/Tejaa Henchman Hai Meri Jaan (1991) as Prajapati , Servant (Producer and Director of Film) Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1994) as Satish Khanna Paappi Devataa (1994) as Kundan