In the realm of Bollywood, where versatility is often celebrated, Jagdish Raj Khurana carved a unique niche for himself. Born in 1928 in Sargodha, British India (now Pakistan), Jagdish Raj became synonymous with law enforcement on the silver screen, portraying a police inspector in an astounding 144 films. This exceptional feat earned him a Guinness World Record for being the most type-cast actor.
Jagdish Raj's journey in the film industry began in 1955 with a small role as a doctor in "Seema". A year later, he first played a police officer in "CID," which boosted his career and led to more offers to play police inspectors. Over his near 50-year career, Jagdish Raj appeared in over 200 films, playing villains and second leads, but he found his niche as a cop. Some of his popular movies include "Deewar", "Don", "Shakti", "Mazdoor", "Imaan Dharam", "Gopichand Jasoos", "Silsila", "Aaina" and "Besharam".
In an era where actors feared being typecast, Jagdish Raj embraced the police uniform with conviction. His commanding screen presence and dedication to the role made him the go-to actor for portraying trustworthy and upright cops. He became so identified with the role that he reportedly had a custom police uniform stitched for himself.
By the 1980s and 90s, Jagdish Raj transitioned to senior police officer roles, portraying DSPs and DIGs. His final role was in the 2001 film "Kasam". Besides the Guinness World Record, Jagdish Raj also holds a place in the Limca Book of Records as the "Most Memorable Policeman".
Jagdish Raj passed away on July 28, 2013, in Mumbai due to respiratory problems at the age of 85. He is survived by his daughters Anita Raj, a former actress, and Roopa Malhotra, and his son Bobby Raaj, a film director. His daughter, Anita Raj, followed in his footsteps, debuting in "Mehndi Rang Laayegi" and starring in 46 films.
Jagdish Raj's career is a testament to how dedication to a single role can create an iconic legacy. He didn't just play a cop; he embodied the role, leaving a lasting impression on Indian cinema and audiences. Even today, discussions about Bollywood's most memorable police characters invariably include Jagdish Raj's name, a recognition of his unparalleled contribution to the industry.
