Vijay Kumar (British filmmaker)

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Vijay Kumar
Picture of Vijay Kumar
Born
New Delhi, India
NationalityBritish
CitizenshipUnited Kingdom
OccupationActor / Director / Presenter
Years active1988 – Present
OrganisationLondonToBollywood
Notable work
Gangster, Johnny
Height5ft7in (170cm)
Spouse(s)Geeta (Kashyap) Makol (1986 – Present)
Websitewww.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[]

  1. ^ "Exclusive with Vijay Kumar", Evening Standard, London, 1995.
  2. ^ "Gangster Casting", "[IMDB]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
  3. ^ "Master Full Casting", "[IMDB]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
  4. ^ "Gangster Casting", "[IMDB]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
  5. ^ "Master Full Casting", "[IMDB]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
  6. ^ Hookam, Mark. "We'll make Liverpool Bollywood of the UK", Daily Post, Liverpool, October 2003.
  7. ^ "Liverpool, Bollywood of the UK", "[Daily Post]", Retrieved on 12 October 2014.
  8. ^ "Cannes Festival Profile" Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine, "[Cannes Film Festival Website]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
  9. ^ "Wirral Film Festival" Archived 6 October 2014 at the Wayback Machine, "[Liverpool-Live]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
  10. ^ "Fatal Accident on British Film Council", "[British Film Council]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
  11. ^ Taggart, Gareth. "Two day film hit", , Wirral, March 2003.
  12. ^ "Unwanted Bride on British Film Council", "[British Film Council]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
  13. ^ "Bombay Beauty on British Film Council", "[British Film Council]", Retrieved on 2 October 2014.
  14. ^ Mann, Manjit. "Bollywood in Britain", Eastern Eye, London, 2003.
  15. ^ [1]
  16. ^ [2]
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