Sanjay Jog is an Indian actor, best known for his role as “Bharat” in Ramanand Sagar’s epic television drama Ramayana (1987). He is also known for his performances in Marathi films.
Wiki/Biography
Sanjay Jog was born on Saturday, September 24, 1955 (aged 40 at the time of his death) in Nagpur, Maharashtra. He spent most of his childhood in Pune, but returned to Nagpur as a teenager, where he completed his 10th grade school. He then went to Mumbai for further studies and obtained a Bachelor of Science degree from Elphinstone College. Sanjay Jog also took acting courses at Filmalaya Studio in Mumbai. Sanjay wanted to become an Air Force pilot, but his parents were skeptical about his choice; as his family had lost many relatives serving in the military during the 1971 Indo-Pakistani war.
Family and caste
Sanjay Jog comes from a Marathi speaking family.
Parents and siblings
There is not much information available about his parents and siblings.
Relationships, Wife and Children
Sanjay Jog was married to Neeta, the daughter of a lawyer from Nagpur (she was a lawyer herself). The couple had two children – Ranjeet and Natasha. Ranjeet was in class 10 when Sanjay Jog died. After Sanjay’s death, Neeta moved to Nagpur with her children, where she started practicing law. Ranjit also chose a career in acting and has worked in several Marathi films and theatre.
Ranjeet Jog and his mother Neeta Jog
Profession
Movie
After completing his acting course at Filmalaya Studio in Mumbai, he made his Marathi debut in Sapla (1976), with Anupama as the heroine and Ramesh Deo as the villain. Sapla did not do well at the box office and a disappointed Sanjay Jog returned to Nagpur and devoted himself to agriculture. When he returned to Mumbai to do some agriculture-related work, he received an offer for a multi-starrer Marathi film called Jidd. He played the lead role in Jidd, which had a cast that included all the actors who could be famous in Marathi cinema.
Jidd went on to become a huge success and the film made Sanjay Jog a sought-after actor in the industry. He went on to do nearly 30 more Marathi films, such as Gondhalat Gondhal, Maay Baap, Khara Kadhi Sangu Naye, Dista Tasa Nasta, Navri Mile Navryala and Sage Soyre. Sanjay also did several Gujarati films, including the highly successful Dikri Chali Sasariye (1985), in which he played an anti-hero.
Sanjay Jog as Dikri Chali Sasariye
He made his debut in Hindi films with the film Apna Ghar (1989). His other Hindi films include Jigarwala (1991), Humshakal (1992), Naseebwala (1992) and Beta Ho To Aisa (1994). Beta Ho To Aisa (1994) was probably his last film.
Sanjay Jog’s Jigarwala (1991)
television
Sanjay Jog made his television debut in Ramanand Sagar’s epic mythological series Ramayana (1987) where he played the role of ‘Bharat’, a role that made him a household name in India. In an interview, when talking about how he got the role of Bharat, he said,
I played the role of Abhimanyu in a Gujarati film called Maya Bazaar. Gopal Dada was the makeup artist for the film. He also headed the makeup department for Ramayana. He suggested that I meet Papaji (Ramanand Sagar). Later, when I met Papaji, he spoke well for me. Papaji had also seen pictures of me wearing Abhimanyu’s costume.
Sanjay Jog as Bharat in Ramayana
die
Sanjay Jog died of liver failure in Mumbai on Monday, November 27, 1995. He was only 40 years old.
Facts/Trivia
- He came to Mumbai for further studies and eventually became an actor.
- During his career, he achieved many achievements, including five Golden Jubilee celebrations and two Diamond Jubilee celebrations.
- Initially, he was approached to play the role of Laxman in Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayana; but later he decided to play Bharat. He explains why he chose the role of Bharat –
Rashman’s role was important because it was long. Of all the brothers, he is always remembered as the ideal Rama-Rashman duo. But people tend to forget that it is the Rama-Bharat duo that is remembered when it comes to brotherly duty and sacrifice. No doubt if I had played Rashman’s role, I would have had more screen time, but then I would have missed the opportunity to play such sensitive scenes as Bharat.”
Sanjay Jog in a scene from Ramayana
- He is very religious and calls himself a “super superstitious person”.
- Apart from Hindi and English, he is also fluent in Gujarati and Punjabi.
- He has a piece of land in Pune where he enjoys farming. Speaking about it in an interview, he said,
I have a poultry farm and some land in Pune. While taking care of them, I hope to continue making films, whatever good work comes my way.”
- Even after becoming a star, he remained very down to earth and followed a similar lifestyle throughout his life. In an interview, he said,
I still eat the same food, smoke, drink, see my friends. I don’t believe in sending ‘messages’ to my fans. I’m just a normal person, nothing supernatural.”
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education