Vijay Arora

Arora won a gold medal when he graduated from the Film and Television Institute of India in 1971. He made his debut with another newcomer Reena Roy in Zaroorat (1972). He starred with Asha Parekh in Rakhi Aur Hathkadi (1972) and shot to stardom with the guitar-strumming Zeenat Aman in Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973) (featuring the romantic song, "Chura Liya Hai"). Two powerful actresses, Jaya Bhaduri and Waheeda Rehman, played his wife and mother-in-law in Phagun (1973). He starred with Shabana Azmi in Kadambari (1976); with Tanuja in Insaaf (1973); with Parveen Babi in 36 Ghante (1974); and with Moushumi Chatterjee in Natak (1975). Filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee gave him a starring role in the film Sabse Bada Sukh (1972). Other films include Roti (1974), the lead role in Jeevan Jyoti (1976), opposite Bindiya Goswami, which was a surprise hit of the year, Sargam (1979), Bade Dil Wala (1983), Jaan Tere Naam (1992) and Indian Babu (2003), where his characters were peripheral to the story line. In the late 80s, he again found success on the small screen with his role as Meghnad Indrajit in the serial Ramayan, directed by Ramanand Sagar. He also appeared in the series Bharat Ek Khoj, directed by Shyam Benegal as Prince Salim/Emperor Jahangir. In 2001, he was seen in two serials, Lakeerein and Talaash, and Ketan Mehta's Pradhan Mantri. He acted in Jaana Na Dil Se Door, directed by Vijay Anand. Arora appeared in Gujarati cinema in films like Raja Harish Chandra, with Madhuri Dixit. He had acted in several Hindi and Gujarati plays. He did over 110 films and over 500 broadcast television serial episodes.