Vijay Kumar (British filmmaker)
Vijay Kumar | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | New Delhi, India |
| Nationality | British |
| Citizenship | United Kingdom |
| Occupation | Actor / Director / Presenter |
| Years active | 1988 – Present |
| Organisation | LondonToBollywood |
Notable work | Gangster, Johnny |
| Height | 5ft7in (170cm) |
| Spouse(s) | Geeta (Kashyap) Makol (1986 – Present) |
| Website | www.vijaykumar.co.uk |
Vijay Kumar (born Vijay Kumar Makol) is a British-Indian author, film director and actor.[1] In 2018 he published an autobiography chronicling his friendship with Dev Anand titled .[3]
Having started in his early days as an actor in theatre productions, Vijay appeared in a number of feature films in Bollywood, such as: Gangster,[2] Main Solah Baras Ki, Master,[3] King of Bollywood and Love U Mr Kalakaar.
Early life[]
Vijay Kumar was born in New Delhi, India in 1958. His birth name Vijay Makol, was changed to Vijay Kumar for his acting career. He debuted in the hit TV series Dekh Bhai Dekh. Vijay moved to Liverpool, UK at the age of 16 with his family and attended Cowley International College. Vijay returned to Mumbai, India in his early 20's with the ambition of breaking into Bollywood.
Professional career[]
Vijay played a comic role in the hit TV series Dekh Bhai Dekh, which led to his featuring in hit feature films, Gangster,[4] Main Solah Baras Ki, Master,[5] King of Bollywood and Love U Mr Kalakaar. During Vijay's career as an actor, he also presented over 1,800 shows for both the BBC and Asian Sound Radio.[6][7] Vijay has Directed, Written and Produced a number of short films that have been featured in film festivals such as: Cannes Film Festival,[8] Ekotop Film Festival, JIFF India, Wirral International Film Festival[9] and the Edinburgh Film Festival.
Short films[]
Vijay’s first short film, Johnny, was shown at Cannes Film Festival and cast on Sky TV. Vijay was then picked up by Basement films of John Moore University, Liverpool to direct A Fatal Accident.[10][11] Fatal Accident featured in festivals such as the Edinburgh film Festival and Jaipur International Film Festival. He then went on to produce Unwanted Bride[12] and Bombay Beauty,[13][14] a short film shown in the Ekotop Film Festival for a number of consecutive days. Vijay's latest foray into short films was Audition, Vijay's first India based short film.
| Year | Film | Role | Other notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Johnny | Director | Cannes Film Festival Screening |
| Director | Edinburgh Film Festival Screening
Jaipur Film Festival Screening |
Author[]
Vijay published his first book, in 2018, recounting his friendship and many adventures with Indian film industry legend, Dev Anand. Vijay launched the book for the U.K. territory alongside his wife Geeta on BBC Asian Network.[15] The book was launched in Mumbai, India, by Suneil Anand, Dev Anand's son.[16] Vijay is currently working on his second book, When Rhea Meets Jessica, which is expected to be released in 2020-21.
Personal life[]
Vijay Kumar's family consists of wife Geeta, son Karan, daughter Zinnia Kumar (model, actor and scientist) & son Rohit.
He was the Vice-President of Clearcom Global Communications Private Limited until 12 October 2013 and is a lifelong member of British Actors Equity Association. In 2018, Vijay oversaw the opening of the Dev Anand wing of the Seksaria hospital in Mumbai, India.
Filmography[]
| Title | Production | Director |
|---|---|---|
| 8119 Miles (2016) | Joe Eshwar Productions | Joe Eshwar |
| Vagatore Mixer (2015) | Navketan Films | Suneil Anand |
| Love U Mr Kalakaar (2014) | Rajshri Productions | S. Manasvi |
| King of Bollywood (2002) | I Dreams | Piyush Jha |
| Master (2001) | Navketan Films | Suneil Anand |
| Main Solah Baras Ki (1998) | Navketan Films | Dev Anand |
| Gangster (1995) | Navketan Films | Dev Anand |
| Sau Crore (1990) | Navketan Films | Dev Anand |
| Roti Kee Keemat (1988) | Rohitasha Films | Ramesh Ahuja |
| Taqdeer Ke Rang (1988) | Balram Movies | Ashok Mann |
| Dekh Bhai Dekh (1993) | Sarasvati Audio Visual | Aanand Mahendroo |
| Better Safe Than Sorry (2000) | Dragons Garden Film | Tim Royale |
| Chicken Karma (2002) | Six Foot High Films | Emma Farrel |
| Bombay Beauty (2002) | Planet Productions | Vijay Kumar |
| Going for Green (2002) | Scottish Television | Charlie Stuart |
| Liver Birds (1998) | BBC Television | John Mcbride |
| Carry On Biff (1991) | Granada Television | Peter Smith |
| Aaj Ki Biwi (1990) | Cineface Productions | Ajay Kumar |
| Parvarish | Ekjute Theatre | Vijay Kumar |
| Looking Back in Anger | Roundabout Players | Colin Roper |
| Kitney Naye Kitney Purane | Geeta Arts | A.K. Chaterjee |
| Gorian Ranna Da Shoukeen | Lokantar Productions | B.K. Sood |
| Tram Track Tragedy | Roundabout Players | Val Sanders |
| Johnny (2005) | Met Film School | Vijay Kumar |
| Bombay Beauty (2004) | Planet Productions | Vijay Kumar |
| Audition (2009) | Planet Productions | Vijay Kumar |
| Fatal Accident (2006) | Basement Film Unit | Vijay Kumar |
| Transitional Driver (2003) | Planet Productions | Vijay Kumar |
| Unwanted Bridge (2007) | Planet Productions | Vijay Kumar |
Radio[]
| Presenting | Role | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Open House/News (800 Shows) | Presenter | BBC |
| Top 30/Chat Show (1000 Shows) | Presenter | Asian Sound Radio |
| IFFA Awards Coverage | Planet Productions | Asia 1 TV / Sky TV |
References[]
- ^ "Exclusive with Vijay Kumar", Evening Standard, London, 1995.
- ^ "Gangster Casting", "[IMDB]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- ^ "Master Full Casting", "[IMDB]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- ^ "Gangster Casting", "[IMDB]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- ^ "Master Full Casting", "[IMDB]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- ^ Hookam, Mark. "We'll make Liverpool Bollywood of the UK", Daily Post, Liverpool, October 2003.
- ^ "Liverpool, Bollywood of the UK", "[Daily Post]", Retrieved on 12 October 2014.
- ^ "Cannes Festival Profile" Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine, "[Cannes Film Festival Website]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- ^ "Wirral Film Festival" Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine, "[Liverpool-Live]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- ^ "Fatal Accident on British Film Council", "[British Film Council]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- ^ Taggart, Gareth. "Two day film hit", , Wirral, March 2003.
- ^ "Unwanted Bride on British Film Council", "[British Film Council]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- ^ "Bombay Beauty on British Film Council", "[British Film Council]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
- ^ Mann, Manjit. "Bollywood in Britain", Eastern Eye, London, 2003.
- ^ [1]
- ^ [2]
- Male actors in Hindi cinema
- British film directors
- 1958 births
- Living people
- 20th-century British male actors
- 21st-century British male actors
- Male actors from New Delhi