He acted in genres ranging from romantic dramas to thrillers, and was voted the seventh greatest actor of Indian cinema of all time in a poll conducted by Rediff.com.

Movies such as iconic character Thakur in Sholay (1975) Arjun Pandit (1976) and Trishul (1978), along with the remakes of Tamil films into Hindi such as Khilona (1970), Naya Din Nai Raat (1974), Yehi Hai Zindagi (1977), Devata (1978) and Ram Tere Kitne Naam (1985) exemplify his versatility.

Sanjeev Kumar was born as Harihar Jethalal Jariwala (also referred to as Haribhai)[5][6] on 9 July 1938 in Surat into a Gujarati family.

He is widely acclaimed by the critics and general public alike to be one of the all-time greatest actors that Indian Cinema has ever produced.

In 1970, the movie Khilona, which was the remake of Gujarati film Mare Javun Pele Paar (1968), brought Kumar national recognition.

He did three films opposite famous Tamil actress L. Vijayalakshmi, including Husn Aur Ishq and Badal which became hits.

He was paired regularly with Sulakshana Pandit in films such as Uljhan and Waqt Ki Deewar and with Moushumi Chatterjee in Itni Si Baat and Daasi.

The producers and directors of the South wanted to remake their Tamil and Telugu films in Hindi with either Kumar or Rajesh Khanna in lead.

Kumar reprised the role played by Thengai Srinivasan in Yehi Hai Zindagi which was a remake of Kaliyuga Kannan.

Kumar enacted the role played by AVM Rajan in Anadhai Aanandhan, in its Hindi version Chanda Aur Bijli.

Northern Indian producers and directors cast Sanjeev Kumar primarily in supporting roles in films like Khud-Daar, Sawaal, Zabardast, Hero, and Silsila.

His performances in films such as Charitraheen, Grihapravesh, Chehre Pe Chehra, Suraag, Sawaal and Yaadgaar were appreciated by critics.

His role as Mirza Sajjad Ali,[11] a chess-obsessed Lucknowi (citizen of Lucknow), in Satyajit Ray's classic Shatranj Ke Khilari (1977) exemplified that aspect.

He stood his ground against leading superstars such as Rajesh Khanna in Aap Ki Kasam; Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor in the Yash Chopra multi-star cast film Trishul (1978) and Dilip Kumar in Sangharsh and Vidhaata (1982).

At the time of his death, only about three-fourths of this movie was complete, and it was eventually decided to alter the story line in the second half to explain the absence of Kumar's character.

https://www.narendramodi.in/sanjeev-kumar-auditorium-in-surat The Sanjeev Kumar Foundation[19] is a national level development organisation (NGO) directly benefiting children and their families every year, mainly focusing on education, healthcare, environment, culture and nutrition.

From 2015 onwards the foundation has also been the sponsor of the annual Sanjeev Kumar Drama Competition held by the Surat Municipal Corporation.