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Kabir Bedi

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Kabir Bedi
Kabir Bedi 2012 (bust cropped).jpg Kabir Bedi 2012 (bust cropped).jpg
Born (1946-01-16) 16 January 1946 (age 78)[1]
Lahore, Punjab, British India
💼 Occupation
📆 Years active  1971 – present
👩 Spouse(s)
👶 Children3, 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]

File:Knighthood close-up.jpg
Kabir Bedi after receiving his knighthood.

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]

  1. "Birthday special: 10 things you may not know about Kabir Bedi". mid-day. 2018-01-16. Retrieved 2018-01-16.
  2. "Internationally acclaimed Indian actor". IMDb. 1971–2016.
  3. "Residence of Kabir bedi". Archived from the original on 21 December 2015. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  4. Mackenzie, Vicki (2017). The Revolutionary Life of Freda Bedi (1st ed.). Boulder, CO: Shambhala Publications. p. xii. ISBN 9781611804256. Search this book on
  5. Kabir Bedi Misses Late Son on Father's Day Archived 18 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine
  6. "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)
  7. Adam Bedi baptised[dead link]
  8. "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)
  9. "When Dad likes them young! - The Times of India". The Times Of India.
  10. Ahmed, Afsana; Sharma, Smrity (6 May 2007). "Another Parveen is Kabir Bedi's love". The Times of India.
  11. "Kabir Bedi ties knot with Parveen Dusanj on 70th birthday". Ibnlive.com. 17 January 2016. Retrieved 17 January 2016.
  12. "Kabir Bedi's voice for Burma's Mandela". Daily News & Analysis.
  13. Kabir Bedi & Lisa Ray Discuss ‘TAJ’
  14. Collection of articles on Kabir Bedi Archived 29 June 2009 at the Wayback Machine
  15. "The NT Awards - 2014 Winners". Archived from the original on 12 July 2014. Retrieved 11 July 2014. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  16. Bedi, Kabir. "Kabir Bedi Blog".[permanent dead link]
  17. Kabir Bedi is Sightsavers' brand ambassador
  18. "Kabir Bedi: Awards page". Archived from the original on 13 July 2011. Retrieved 20 June 2009. Unknown parameter |url-status= ignored (help)
  19. "Knight in shining armour". The Times of India. 11 December 2010.

External links[edit]