Veteran Gujarati film, stage and television actor Arvind Rathod passed away this morning (1st July) at his residence in Ahmedabad. He was in his seventies. He had acted in a number of Gujarati films and was a well-known personality of Gujarati stage. He had also acted in Hindi films and TV serials.
Rajesh Kumar, who used the screen name of Arvind Rathod, started out as a photojournalist. He then shifted his focus to acting. He turned an actor in 1970 and has acted in well-known Gujarati films like Kanku Ni Keemat, Baba Ramdev Peer, Raja Gopichand, Shetal Tara Oonda Pani, Maa Khodal Taro Khamkaro, Jagya Tyathi Sawar, Mota Gharni Vahu, Son Kansari, Hu Tari Meera Ne Tu Maro Shyam Re, Sabar Tara Vehta Pani, Bhadar Tara Vehata Pani, Dikrine Na Koi Desho Pardesh, Mara Raj Thakor Ni Chundadi, Manada No Mor, Preet Khandani Dhar, Parki Thapan and Tension Thai Gayu. One of his first films, Kanku Ni Keemat, was ghost-directed by Mukul Anand (and produced by Romesh Sharma who also played the male lead in it). Mukul became a fan of Arvind Rathod since that time. That explains why the filmmaker gave him key roles to play in his Hindi films, Khuda Gawah and Agneepath. Arvind Rathod had also acted in some more Hindi films like Kora Kagaz.
Like Mukul Anand, Arvind Rathod was also the favourite of Arun Bhatt whose films invariably starred the super-performer. Arvind Rathod usually played the screen villain but did some positive and character roles too. In Samp Tya Jamp, he played the hero alongwith Mehmood. He also sang a song in it. The Gujarati film proved a hit. Connoisseurs of Gujarati cinema will remember Arvindbhai’s popular dialogue from Pankhi No Malo — “Jai Kaatar Devi”. He was often seen in Gujarati films starring Upendra Trivedi and Snehlata.
With the passing away of Arvind Rathod, Gujarati cinema and stage have lost a great actor.
