Learn about the life and career of Sanjay Jog, a prominent Indian actor best known for his role in the iconic television series “Ramayan.”

Wiki/Biography

Sanjay Jog, born on Saturday, September 24, 1955, in Nagpur, Maharashtra, passed away at the young age of 40 on November 27, 1995, in Mumbai due to liver failure. He spent his childhood in Pune and his adolescence in Nagpur, completing his 10th grade there. He pursued higher education in Mumbai, earning a B.Sc. degree from Elphinstone College. He also undertook acting training at Filmalaya Studio, Mumbai. Interestingly, his initial career aspiration was to become an Air Force pilot, a dream his parents were hesitant about due to family losses during the 1971 Indo-Pak War.

Family & Caste

Sanjay Jog hailed from a Marathi-speaking family. While details about his parents and siblings remain scarce, his family background significantly shaped his life choices.

Relationships, Wife & Children

He married Neeta, a lawyer from Nagpur. They had two children: Ranjeet and Natasha. Ranjeet was in the 10th grade at the time of his father’s death. Following Sanjay’s passing, Neeta moved back to Nagpur with her children, establishing a law practice there. Ranjeet, following in his father’s footsteps, has pursued a career in acting, working in several Marathi films and theatre productions.

Career

Film

Sanjay Jog’s acting debut was in the 1976 Marathi film “Sapla,” which unfortunately didn’t perform well at the box office. This led him to temporarily return to Nagpur, focusing on farming. A subsequent return to Mumbai for farming-related business resulted in an unexpected acting opportunity in the multi-starrer Marathi film “Jidd.” This role launched his career, establishing him as a bankable actor.

He starred in nearly 30 Marathi films, including notable titles like “Gondhalat Gondhal,” “Maay Baap,” and “Dikri Chali Sasariye” (a successful Gujarati film where he played an anti-hero). His Hindi film debut was “Apna Ghar” (1989), and he also appeared in films such as “Jigarwala,” “Humshakal,” “Naseebwala,” and “Beta Ho To Aisa,” possibly his last film release.

Television

His television debut was in Ramanand Sagar’s “Ramayan” (1987), where he played Bharat. This role catapulted him to widespread fame across India. He secured the role through a connection made by the makeup artist from a Gujarati film, where he played Abhimanyu. The makeup artist happened to be working on “Ramayan” and recommended Sanjay to Ramanand Sagar.

Death

Sanjay Jog passed away on November 27, 1995, in Mumbai, succumbing to liver failure at the age of 40.

Facts/Trivia

Here are some interesting facts about Sanjay Jog’s life:

• He initially was offered the role of Lakshman in Ramayan but chose Bharat instead, valuing the role’s emotional depth and significance.
• He achieved significant success, boasting five golden jubilees and two diamond jubilees in his film career.
• A devout and superstitious individual, he was fluent in Hindi, English, Gujarati, and Punjabi.
• He maintained a strong connection to his agricultural pursuits, owning land in Pune where he engaged in farming and poultry.
• Despite his fame, he remained grounded, preserving his simple lifestyle and connecting with his fans on a relatable human level.

Film and Television Appearances