Vijay Kumar (British filmmaker)

Vijay Kumar is a long-standing member of the film and media industry. Having started in his early days as an actor in theatre productions, Vijay then moved on to becoming a fully fledged actor appearing in a number of feature films in Bollywood, such as: Gangster, Main Solah Baras Ki, Master, King of Bollywood and Love U Mr Kalakaar. Vijay also played a comic role in the hit TV series Dekh Bhai Dekh. During Vijay's career as an actor, he was always involved in presenting, whether it was on air or TV. Vijay had amassed a large following with his featured show on BBC and Asian Sound Radio in the early 2000s. Vijay still however had not satisfied his creative flow and took up the chance to be the Director, Writer and Producer of his own short films. Vijay has gone on to create over 5 short films since 2003, many of which have been featured in film festivals such as: Cannes Film Festival, Ekotop Film Festival, JIFF India, Wirral International Film Festival and the Edinburgh Film Festival.

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Early life

Vijay Kumar, born as Vijay Kumar Makol, in New Delhi, India, to Jang Bahadur and Santosh Makol. Vijay studied at the Modern Cambridge and Govt High School in New Delhi before moving to Cowley High Grammar School in St Helens, England. His original plans were to study to become an Aeronautics Engineer, however, his passion for acting took him down another road. Vijay joined the London School Of Acting and passed with distinction.

Film Career 1988 - 1990

Vijay got his first minor break in the 1988 Rohitasha Movies, Roti Ki Keemat, a Mithun Chakvorty and Kimi Katkar film. The film was released but his work went unnoticed. In 1990 he was given a break by the legend Dev Anand in his film Sau Crore but unfortunately, his role was chopped due to censor board screening. During this time, he worked in another film, Taqdeer Ke Rang, directed by Ashok Mann. Vijay then auditioned for Maine Pyar Kiya by Sooraj Barjatya of Rajshri Productions and was in the final running but luck be told, the role went to Salman Khan.

Breakthrough 1993 - Present

In 1993 Vijay was launched by the legend Dev Anand in the big budget film Gangster in which Dev Anand himself and Mumta Kulkarni were appearing. The film was released on Dev Anand's 50th Golden Jubilee year. Following this, Vijay was offered a role in the hit TV series, Dekh Bhai Dekh, produced by Jaya Bachchan under her banner Sarasvati Audio Visuals and directed by Aanand Mahendroo. He then got to work again with Dev Anand in Main Solah Baras ki. Following which, Vijay appeared in Suneil Anand's first directorial venture, Master, under the Navketan Banner. Vijay also worked in Om Puri featuring, King of Bollywood, directed by Piyush Jha. Vijay later worked in the Rajshri’s film, Love U Mr Kalakaar with Tushaar Kapoor, which was directed by S . Manasvi. Vijay's latest role will be in Suneil Anand’s first Indo- American Production, Vagator Mixer. The film will be completely in English and has been shot in Goa and LA. .

Short Films

Vijay took part in the Met Film School script to screen course in film making. Following which, he created the short film, Johnny, which was shown at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and also viewed on Sky TV by millions of viewers. Vijay was then picked up by Basement films of John Moore University, Liverpool to direct, A Fatal Accident. This film went to festivals such as the Edinburgh film Festival and Jaipur International Film Festival. He then went on to make Unwanted Bride, before making Bombay Beauty, 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.

Stage career

Vijay began with the famous production house in Delhi, Lokathar Productions, which was headed by B K Sood, an accomplished actor and director, Subhash Sethi and Kimti Anand, another famous personality of Delhi TV & Theatre. Vijay got his first break in Goriyan Ranna Da Shoukeen, which became an overnight sensation, doing numerous shows in the Delhi Sapru house and Kamani. In England, Vijay appeared in plays by the Roundabout Players, such as: Tram Track tragedy as well as others. Vijay also had the opportunity to work alongside Chris Bond of Blood Brothers, a hit musical play. More recently Vijay had the opportunity to join EKjute, which is run by the famous actress and director of Bollywood Theatre, Nadira Zaheer Babbar, the actor and politician Raj Babbar, as well as her daughter Juhi Babbar and Aarya Babbar.

Radio career

Vijay worked with BBC Radio in Merseyside for over ten years as a DJ and a news reader. He also produced and presented shows such as Jashn-Bahaar, the Top 20, for Asian Sound Radio for over five years. Vijay must have easily presented over 1000 shows on air.

TV career

Vijay presented shows for Asia 1 TV and covered the first ever IIFA award night held in the Millennium Dome, in London, UK, where he interviewed actors and artists such as: Jackie Chan, Kylie Minogue, Eric Morley, Sunil Dutt, Jackie Shroff, Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar, Aruna Irani, Kuku Kohli and many more.

Filmography