In the golden era of Hindi cinema, one actor’s journey stands out as the ultimate tale of rags-to-riches grit. This is the story of an actor who ran away with just Rs 26 to chase his dream, played Narad Muni over 60 times, and later became one of Bollywood’s most unforgettable villains. That actor was the one and only Jeevan.
While we remember the menacing Gabbar and the formidable Mogambo, Jeevan carved his own niche long before. His was a face that could curdle milk with a single, lecherous smile. But his journey didn’t start in a villain’s den; it began with an audacious dream funded by a paltry sum.
From a Privileged Home to the City of Dreams with Rs 26
Born Omkar Nath Dhar into a prominent Kashmiri Pandit family, Jeevan seemed destined for a life far from the silver screen. His grandfather was a governor, and a career in the film industry was considered beneath their station. But the allure of the greasepaint was too strong. At just 18, Omkar made a life-altering choice: he fled his home for Bombay with nothing but burning ambition and a mere Rs 26 in his pocket.
His initial days in the city were a classic tale of struggle. He found work in the studios of legendary director Mohan Sinha, starting as a reflector boy—tasked with holding up silver boards to bounce light onto the actors. It was on the fringes of stardom that fate intervened. When an actor failed to show up for a shoot, Sinha noticed the young man’s expressive eyes and gave him a chance. His screen presence was undeniable, and Omkar Nath Dhar was reborn as Jeevan.
The Divine Messenger: Becoming the Unforgettable Narad Muni
Jeevan‘s first taste of fame wasn’t as a villain but in a role so diametrically opposite, it feels poetic. He became the film industry’s go-to actor to portray the celestial sage, Narad Muni. With his mischievous glint and distinctive delivery of “Narayan, Narayan!”, he immortalised the character. So convincing was his portrayal that he played the part in over 60 different mythological films, setting a record that remains unbroken. For an entire generation, Jeevan was Narad Muni.
The Pivot: Crafting Bollywood’s Most Cunning Villain
Leaving the heavens behind, Jeevan then masterfully descended into the murky world of on-screen treachery. He carved a unique space for himself not as a physically imposing baddie, but as a far more sinister kind of villain. He excelled as the smarmy moneylender, the treacherous uncle, and the cunning conspirator whose evil plans were hatched in the shadows.
His unique style—a nasal drawl, a condescending sneer, and eyes that danced with gleeful malice—made him a legend. Who can forget his role as Robert in the timeless classic Amar Akbar Anthony? His line, “Robert, inke ankhon ke saamne inka khoon piyega,” still sends a chill down the spine. From Dharam Veer and Nagin to Johny Mera Naam, Jeevan perfected his brand of sophisticated, cowardly evil, becoming a permanent fixture in Bollywood’s gallery of rogues.
Jeevan‘s life is a true testament to the spirit of Bollywood. A boy who defied his family with Rs 26, first became a divine messenger, and then transformed into the very embodiment of on-screen evil. He passed away in 1987, but his legacy of over 200 films and a villainous persona that remains etched in public memory proves that to be truly unforgettable, a villain doesn’t always need a grand costume—sometimes, all it takes is a cunning smile and a dream that refused to die.
