Kabir Bedi
| Kabir Bedi | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Kabir Bedi 2012 (bust cropped).jpg | |
| Born | 16 January 1946[1] Lahore, Punjab, British India |
| 💼 Occupation | |
| 📆 Years active | 1971 – present |
| 👩 Spouse(s) |
|
| 👶 Children | 3, including Pooja |
| 👴 👵 Parent(s) |
|
Kabir Bedi (born 16 January 1946) is an Indian film actor. His career has spanned three continents covering India, the United States and especially Italy among other European countries in three media: film, television and theatre.[2] He is noted for his role as Emperor Shah Jahan in Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story and the villainous Sanjay Verma in the 80s blockbuster Khoon Bhari Maang. He is best known in Italy and Europe for playing the pirate Sandokan in the popular Italian TV mini series and for his role as the villainous Gobinda in the 1983 James Bond film Octopussy. Kabir Bedi is well known in Italy and is fluent in Italian. He is based in India and lives in Mumbai.[3]
Biography[edit]
Early life[edit]
Bedi was one of three children born into a Sikh family that had devoted itself to India's fight for independence from British colonial rule. His father, Baba Pyare Lal Singh Bedi, a Punjabi Sikh, was an author and philosopher. His mother, Freda Bedi was a British woman born in Derby, England, who became famous as the first Western woman to take ordination in Tibetan Buddhism.[4] Kabir Bedi did his schooling at Sherwood College, Nainital, Uttarakhand and graduation from St. Stephen's College, Delhi.
Personal life[edit]
Bedi married four times and had three children, Pooja, Siddharth (deceased) and Adam. He was married to Protima Bedi, an Odissi dancer. Their daughter Pooja Bedi is a magazine/newspaper columnist and former actress.[needs update] Their son, Siddharth, who went to Carnegie Mellon University, was diagnosed with schizophrenia and committed suicide in 1997 at the age of 26.[5]
As his marriage with Protima began to break down he famously started a relationship with Parveen Babi. They never married. He later married British-born fashion designer Susan Humphreys. Their son, Adam Bedi, is an international model[6] who made his Hindi Film debut with the thriller, Hello? Kaun Hai!.[7] This marriage ended in divorce.
In the early 1990s, Bedi married TV and radio presenter Nikki Bedi. They had no children and divorced in 2005. After that, Bedi has been in a relationship with British-born Parveen Dusanj,[8][9][10] whom he married a day before his 70th birthday.[11]
Bedi supports the anti-Government struggle in Myanmar, and is an official ambassador of the Burma Campaign UK.[12] He is also the Brand Ambassador for Rotary International South Asia for their Teach Programme and the Total Literacy Mission in India and South Asia.
Career[edit]
Kabir Bedi began his career in Indian theatre and then moved on to Hindi films. Bedi remains one of the first international actors from India who started out in Hindi films, worked in Hollywood films and became a star in Europe.
Stage acting[edit]
As a stage actor, Kabir has performed Shakespeare's Othello as well as portrayed a historical Indian king, Tughlaq; and a self-destructive alcoholic in The Vultures. In London he also starred in The Far Pavilions, the West End musical adaptation of M. M. Kaye's novel, at the Shaftesbury Theatre. In 2011 Kabir played Emperor Shah Jahan, in 'Taj', a play written by John Murrell, a Canadian playwright for the Luminato Festival in Toronto. In 2013, this play was recommissioned and went on an 8-week multi-city tour of Canada.[13]
Film career[edit]
In the James Bond film Octopussy, he played the villain's aide Gobinda.
Kabir has acted in over 60 Indian films. In the historical epic Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story, Kabir starred as the Emperor Shah Jahan. Other starring Hindi film roles include Raj Khosla's Kacche Dhaage, Rakesh Roshan's Khoon Bhari Maang and Farah Khan's Main Hoon Na.
Kabir Bedi shot a movie with Hrithik Roshan (Kites), Govinda (Showman), and Akshay Kumar (Blue).[14] He also starred in Deepa Mehta's film, Kamagata Maru with Amitabh Bachchan and John Abraham. He acted in the Tamil film 'Aravaan', directed by Vasanthabalan.
Kabir played roles in Columbia Pictures' The Beast of War, a film on the Russian war in Afghanistan, directed by Kevin Reynolds, as well as the acclaimed Italian film Andata Ritorno, by Marco Ponti, winner of the David di Donatello Award. In 2017, he acted in a Telugu historical movie Gautamiputra Satakarni, as Nahapana, an important ruler of the Western Kshatrapas.
Television career[edit]
Kabir has appeared on American television, in Hallmark's African epic Forbidden Territory, and Ken Follett's On Wings of Eagles and also Red Eagle. He played Friar Sands in The Lost Empire, for NBC. Kabir also acted in Dynasty, Murder, She Wrote, Magnum, P.I., Hunter, Knight Rider and Highlander: The Series.
In Europe, his greatest success was Sandokan, the saga of a romantic Southeast Asian pirate during British colonial times; an Italian-German-French TV series which broke viewership records across Europe. Kabir recently starred in a prime-time Italian television series, Un Medico in Famiglia, on RAI TV.
For over a year, Kabir starred in The Bold and the Beautiful, the second most-watched television show in the world, seen by over a billion people in 149 countries.
He had his own cinematic talk show on Indian TV, "Director's Cut", a 13-part special series interviewing the country's leading directors. His success on television continued in 2013 with award-winning prime-time shows “Guns and Glory: The Indian Soldier” & “Vandemataram”, for India's news channels - Headlines Today & Aaj Tak.[15]
In the Indian Biblical television series 'Bible Ki Kahaniya', Bedi played both the young and aged Abraham.
Radio career[edit]
In 2007 he starred in "Chat", a radio show aired by RAI Radio2, in the role of Sandokan. In 2012, he did a series of Radio One programmes titled, 'Women of Gold' and 'Men of Steel' in honour of industry champions in India. In 2017 he did another series in English for Radio One, 'Ten On Ten' celebrating top ten innovations out of India. He also did the year end special series, 'Best of 2017'.
Writing[edit]
Kabir Bedi is a regular contributor to Indian publications including the Times of India and Tehelka on political and social issues affecting the country. He is also seen debating such topics on Indian national television.[16]
Charity[edit]
In February 2017, Bedi was announced as the new 'brand ambassador' for international development organisation, Sightsavers, saying on his appointment, "Today there is immense awareness and attempt towards eye health and care in India and Sightsavers have shown way to people at large in the country with their achievements in the area of eye care."[17]
Awards and achievements[edit]
Since 1982 Kabir has been a voting member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (who are responsible for presenting the Oscar awards) and he is a voting member of the Screen Actors Guild.
He has won numerous film, advertising and popularity awards across Europe and India.[18]
By decree of the President of the Italian Republic of 2 June 2010, Kabir Bedi was officially knighted. He received the highest ranking civilian honour of the Italian Republic and was bestowed the title of "Cavaliere" (Knight) of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic.[19] He has recently received Honorary Degree from Kalinga Institute of Industrial Technology (KIIT) University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha,India.
Filmography[edit]
Films[edit]
| Year | Film Title | Character |
|---|---|---|
| 1971 | Hulchal | Mahesh Jetley |
| Seema | ||
| 1972 | Rakhi Aur Hathkadi | Suraj |
| Sazaa | ||
| Anokha Daan | ||
| 1973 | Kuchhe Dhaage | Roopa |
| Yauwan | Jhumru | |
| 1974 | Manzilein Aur Bhi Hain | |
| Maa Bahen Aur Biwi | ||
| Ishq Ishq Ishq | Diwana/Ravikant Vyas | |
| 1975 | Anari | |
| Daaku | Daaku Raju | |
| 1976 | Nagin | Uday |
| Harfan Maula | Faulad Singh | |
| Vishwasghaat | Uday | |
| Bullet | Durga Prasad/D.P. | |
| The Black Corsair | The Black Corsair (Italy) | |
| 1977 | La tigre è ancora viva: Sandokan alla riscossa! | Sandokan |
| Daku Aur Mahatma | ||
| 1978 | The Thief of Baghdad | Prince Taj |
| 1979 | Ashanti | Malik |
| Aakhri Kasam | Kishan/Badal | |
| Yuvraj | Samrat Surya Dev Singh | |
| 1981 | The Archer: Fugitive from the Empire | Gar |
| 1982 | 40 Days of Musa Dagh | Gabriel Bagradian |
| Satan's Mistress | The Spirit | |
| 1983 | Octopussy | Gobinda |
| 1988 | Counterforce | Koura |
| Khoon Bhari Maang | Sanjay Verma | |
| Mera Shikar | ||
| 1990 | Police Public | Senior Inspector Shah Nawaz Khan |
| Haar Jeet | ||
| Shera Shamshera | ||
| 1991 | Kurbaan | Inspector Suraj Singh |
| Yeh Aag Kab Bujhegi | ||
| Vishkanya | Forest Officer Vikram Singh | |
| 1992 | Dil Aashna Hai | Digvijay Singh |
| Yalgaar | Raj Pratap Singhal | |
| Beyond Justice | Moulet | |
| Lambu Dada | ||
| 1993 | Kshatriya | Thakur Ganga Singh (Police Officer) |
| Yugandhar | Col Kanir | |
| 1994 | Salaami | Captain |
| Lie Down with Lions | Kabir | |
| The Maharaja's Daughter | Chandragupta | |
| 1995 | OP Centre | Abdul Fazawi |
| Kismat | Rajan | |
| Aatank Hi Aatank | Police Inspector | |
| 1996 | The Return of Sandokan | Sandokan |
| 1998 | Mashamal - Ritorno al Deserto | Tahar Id Bran |
| 1999 | Kohram | Brig. Bedi |
| 2001 | The Lost Empire | Friar Sand |
| 2002 | Kranti | Mahendra Pratap Rana |
| Maine Dil Tujhko Diya | Mr. Varma (Ayesha's Father) | |
| 2003 | Talaash: The Hunt Begins... | Chhote Pathan |
| The Hero: Love Story of a Spy | Mr. Zakaria | |
| 2004 | Father | Karl, father (a violinist) |
| Rudraksh | Pundit Ved Bhushan | |
| Asambhav | ||
| Kismat | Raj Mallya | |
| Roundtrip | Tolstoj (Italian film) | |
| Main Hoon Na | Gen. Amarjeet Bakshi | |
| 2005 | Bewafaa | Anjali's Father |
| Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story | Emperor Shah Jahan | |
| 2006 | Do Raha | |
| Jaanleva | Rakesh Khullar | |
| A All About Her | ||
| Take 3 Girls | Mo | |
| 2008 | Showman | |
| 2009 | Blue | Captain Jagat Malhotra |
| 2010 | Kites | Bob Grover |
| 2011 | Yaara o Dildaara | |
| 2012 | Aravaan | Tamil film |
| Chakravyuh | Mahanta, an industrialist and negotiator for the government | |
| 2015 | Dilwale | Dev Malik |
| Anarkali | Jaffer Imam | |
| 2016 | Teraa Surroor | A A Khan |
| Mohenjo Daro | Maham | |
| 2017 | Gautamiputra Satakarni | Nahapana |
| Edict of Expulsion 1492 | Sultan Bayezid | |
| Paisa Vasool | RAW Chief | |
| 2018 | Jaane Kyun De Yaaron | Shera |
| Saheb, Biwi Aur Gangster 3 | Maharaja Hari Singh |
Television[edit]
| TV Title | Release Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sandokan | 1976 | European TV Mini series | Sandokan |
| La tigre è ancora viva: Sandokan alla riscossa! | 1977 | European TV Mini series | Sandokan |
| Dynasty | 1982 | TV Series | Farouk Ahmed |
| General Hospital | 1983 | TV Series | Rama |
| Knight Rider | November 1985 | TV Series | Vascone |
| Dynasty | 1986 | TV Series | Farouk Ahmed |
| On Wings of Eagles | 1986 | TV Series | Mohammed |
| The Days and Nights of Molly Dod | May 1987 | TV Series | Bill |
| Misteri della Giungla Nera, I – a.k.a. The Mysteries of the Dark Jungle | 1991 | TV Mini Series | Kammamuri |
| Il Principe del Deserto – a.k.a. Desert Law | 1991 | TV Series | Moulet Beni-Zair |
| The Bold and the Beautiful | September 1994 | TV Series | Prince Omar |
| Maharaja's Daughter | 1994 | TV Series | Chandragupta |
| Highlander: The Series | 20 November 1995 | TV Series | Kamir |
| Bible Ki Kahaniya | 1995 | TV Series | Abraham, the Patriarch |
| Il Ritorno di Sandokan | 6 October 1996 | TV Mini Series | Sandokan |
| Noi siamo angeli – a.k.a. We are Angels | 16 February 1997 | TV Mini Series | Gen. Napoleon Durate |
| Forbidden Territory: Stanley's Search for Livingstone | 7 December 1997 | TV Series | Khamis Bin Abdullah |
| Team Knight Rider | 9 February 1998 | TV Series | Aristotle Drago |
| Murder, She Wrote | February 1988 | TV Series | Vikram Singh |
| Magnum, P.I. | 10 February 1988 | TV Series | Malcolm |
| L'isola dei famosi | 2004 | Italian Reality Show | Himself |
| The Bold and the Beautiful | 4 May 2005 | TV Series | Prince Omar |
| Vivere | May 2006 | Italian TV Series | Emir Ibrahim |
| Director's Cut | 2007 | TV Special Series | Himself |
| Un medico in famiglia 5 | 2007 | Italian TV Series | Kabir |
| Ganga Kii Dheej | 2010–2011 | Hindi TV Series | Dada Bhai |
| Buddha | 2013 | Hindi TV Series | Asita Muni (Cameo) |
| VandeMataram | 2013 | TV Special News Series | Himself |
| Guns & Glory: The Indian Soldier | 2013 | TV Special News Series | Himself |
| Jai Ho | 2014 | TV Special News Series | Himself |
| Thinkistan | 2019 | Web Series | Danish Azeem |
Radio[edit]
| Radio Title | Release Year | Status | Character |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ch@t (Italian fiction) | 2007 | RAI Radio2 | Sandokan |
| 'Women of Gold' | 2012 | RadioOne | Himself |
| 'Men of Steel' | 2012 | Radio One | Himself |
| 'Ten on Ten' - 'Ten Biggest Impacts This Last Decade' | 2017 | Radio One | Himself |
| 'Best of 2017' | 2017 | Radio One | Himself |
Dubbing roles[edit]
Live action films[edit]
| Film title | Actor | Character | Dub Language | Original Language | Original Year Release | Dub Year Release | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time | Ben Kingsley | Nizam | Hindi | English | 2010 | 2010 | Performed alongside Yudhvir Dahiya who voiced Jake Gyllenhaal as Dastan and Joy Sengupta who voiced Toby Kebbell as Prince Garsiv in Hindi. |
| Fantastic Four | Reg E. Cathey | Dr. Franklin Storm | Hindi | English | 2015 | 2015 | Performed alongside Karan Trivedi who voiced Miles Teller as Reed Richards / Mister Fantastic in Hindi. |
Voice overs in ads and commercials[edit]
| Project | Type | Language | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Keeper of the Flame - The History of TATA | Documentary | English | 2007 |
| An Introduction to CHILDLINE India | Public Awareness Campaign - Narrator | English | 2008 |
| Aircel Save the Tiger Campaign | Public Awareness Campaign - Narrator | English | 2009 |
| Ford Motors launch Figo, India | Live Events | English | 2010 |
| Somnath Temple, Gujarat | Sound & Light Show | English | 2010 |
| Red Fort, New Delhi | Sound & Light Show | English | 2011 |
| Virasat-e-Khalsa - Khalsa Heritage Memorial Complex, Punjab | Narrator | English | 2011 |
| Apollo Tyres | Advertisement | English | 2013 |
| Jindal Panther | Advertisement | English | 2014 |
| Banda Singh Bahadur - War Memorial, Punjab | Sound & Light Show | English | 2014 |
| TAJ Hotels, Resorts & Palaces | Advertisement | English | 2014 |
| DHL | Advertisement | Hindi | 2015 |
| Yamaha | Advertisement | Hindi | 2015 |
| Mount of Excellence | Documentary narrator | English | 2015 |
| Parle | Advertisement | Hindi & English | 2016 |
| Tanishq | Advertisement | English | 2016 |
| Konark Sun Temple, Odisha | Sound & Light Show | English | 2017 |
Voting memberships[edit]
| The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |
|---|
| The Screen Actors Guild |
| The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists |
| The British Actors' Equity Association |
References[edit]
- ↑ "Birthday special: 10 things you may not know about Kabir Bedi". mid-day. 2018-01-16. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
- ↑ "Internationally acclaimed Indian actor". IMDb. 1971–2016.
- ↑ "Residence of Kabir bedi". Archived from the original on 21 December 2015. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Mackenzie, Vicki (2017). The Revolutionary Life of Freda Bedi (1st ed.). Boulder, CO: Shambhala Publications. p. xii. ISBN 9781611804256. Search this book on
- ↑ Kabir Bedi Misses Late Son on Father's Day Archived 18 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 25 June 2013. Retrieved 6 August 2013. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help)CS1 maint: Archived copy as title (link) - ↑ Adam Bedi baptised[dead link]
- ↑ "Let's keep it a surprise: Parveen Dusanj - The Times of India". The Times Of India. Archived from the original on 2013-01-26. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "When Dad likes them young! - The Times of India". The Times Of India.
- ↑ Ahmed, Afsana; Sharma, Smrity (6 May 2007). "Another Parveen is Kabir Bedi's love". The Times of India.
- ↑ "Kabir Bedi ties knot with Parveen Dusanj on 70th birthday". Ibnlive.com. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
- ↑ "Kabir Bedi's voice for Burma's Mandela". Daily News & Analysis.
- ↑ Kabir Bedi & Lisa Ray Discuss ‘TAJ’
- ↑ Collection of articles on Kabir Bedi Archived 29 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
- ↑ "The NT Awards - 2014 Winners". Archived from the original on 12 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ Bedi, Kabir. "Kabir Bedi Blog".[permanent dead link]
- ↑ Kabir Bedi is Sightsavers' brand ambassador
- ↑ "Kabir Bedi: Awards page". Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2009. Unknown parameter
|url-status=ignored (help) - ↑ "Knight in shining armour". The Times of India. 11 December 2010.
External links[edit]
- Kabir Bedi at Bollywood Hungama
- Kabir Bedi on IMDb
- Official website
- Special Feature – "Global Appeal – Kabir Bedi" in The Stage
- Images from the 1976 Sandokan miniseries
- Candid in-depth interview with Kabir Bedi in 2007
- Extensive interview with Filmfare in October 2001
- Interviewed by Indian Express in 1999
- Kabir Bedi discussing Taj theatre tour 2013
