Vijay Arora Age, Death, Wife, Children, Family, Biography & More

Some Lesser Known Facts About Vijay Arora

• Vijay Arora was an Indian film and television actor who is best known for portraying “Meghnad” in Ramanand Sagar‘s Ramayan. He is also known for his film “Yadon Ki Baaraat” alongside Zeenat Aman.

• He is often mistaken as another Vijay Arora who is a cinematographer.

• He was born into a middle-class Punjabi Khatri family in Cutch State, British India.

• Arora’s only son, Farhad Vijay Arora is a promoter for Ferrari and Maserati cars in India.
  

  Vijay Arora With His Son Farhad in a Maserati Car

• He graduated with a gold medal from the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII) in 1971.

• He had tried to get work in the film industry even before attending the FTII. However, he didn’t get work at that time and had been advised to first get himself groomed in acting. While talking about it in an interview, he said,
  

  When I decided to join films, I made a round of each studio once. Then I sat back to wait for them. Nobody came. It was suggested to me I first groom myself for the profession. So I went to the Film Institute, slogged it out for two years, took the Gold Medal and was signed up even before I’d graduated.”

• He made his debut with “Zaroorat” (1972) alongside another newcomer Reena Roy.

• After “Zaroorat,” he appeared alongside Asha Parekh in ‘Rakhi Aur Hathkadi’ (1972). 

• The year 1973 brought him the much-awaited success when he appeared in “Yadon Ki Baaraat” alongside the guitar-strumming Zeenat Aman. This film established him as one of the most sought-after actors in Bollywood at that time.
  

  Vijay Arora With Zeenat Aman

• The song “Chura Liya Hai,” featuring Zeenat Aman and Vijay Arora in “Yadon Ki Baaraat” went on to become one of the most romantic renditions.

• Yadon Ki Baarat had established him among the leading actors in Bollywood. Even Rajesh Khanna had acknowledged his stardom and admitted that Arora could replace him as the superstar in Bollywood. ^[4]IMDb

• In 1973, he appeared in another film, “Phagun,” alongside Jaya Bhaduri and Waheeda Rehman who played his wife and mother-in-law, respectively. 

• In the same year, he did Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s film ‘Sabse Bada Sukh.’

• In 1974, he got the opportunity to work alongside Rajesh Khanna in “Roti.”
  

  Vijay Arora in Roti (1974)

• In 1976, Vijay Arora’s film ‘Jivan Jyoti’ became a surprise hit of the year in which he played the lead role. 

• In his career, he did more than 110 films, including Sargam (1979), Bade Dil Wala (1983), 100 Days (1991), Jaan Tere Naam (1991), and his last film Indian Babu (2003).

• Vijay also appeared in a few horror films, such as Veerana (1988), Purani Haveli (1989), and Aakhri Cheekh (1991).

• He also did some Gujarati films, like ‘Dikri Ane Gai Dore Tiva Jaye’ (1979) and ‘Lekh Na Mathe Mekh’ (1981).

• Reportedly, Vijay Arora had become a victim of politics in the film industry and had been sidelined by the film fraternity, and it was the small screen that gave him a second wave of success when he appeared in Ramanand Sagar‘s Ramayan (1987).

• In Ramayan, he appeared as “Meghnad” who was the son of Ravan (portrayed by Arvind Trivedi). Meghnad’s dialogues became very popular among the audience.

• After Ramayan, Vijay did many television shows, including “Bharat Ek Khoj” (1988) directed by Shyam Benegal in which he appeared as Prince Salim/Emperor Jahangir.
  

  Vijay Arora as Prince Salim in Bharat Ek Khoj

• Arora is considered the first Indian who used the International Organization for Standardization 9000 standards to make ads and documentary films.

• He had a software house, which produced ad films and corporate films.

• He also did many events for the Gem and Jewellery Council of India.

• Vijay was the promoter of several imported products like acupuncture massagers and non-electric industrial ventilators.

• He also manufactured playing cards for various Indian corporations and even sourced them to Warner Brothers for the movie Superman.

• Vijay always enjoyed help students in developing their skills and art of acting.

• He was very particular about his health and fitness and loved to do yoga.

• After suffering from a chronic intestine ailment, he died on the morning of 2 February 2007 at his residence in Mumbai. ^[5]Times of India

• After Vijay’s death, his wife, Dilber went into trauma and could only recover after a long Homeopath medication. While talking about it in an interview, Vijay Arora’ son, Farhad said,
  

  She became very absent minded and just blanked out at times. There were days when she would ignite the kitchen gas burner and come out leaving it on, without anything to cook on it. She would break down when we went to places we frequented together with dad. She did not want to meet or talk to dads friends, like Jackie Shroff, Govinda, Danny Denzongpa, Bappi Lahiri and his son Bappa who are still in regular touch with us. All she wanted to do was feel dads presence around her. She tremendously missed his attention , love, care and support.”

• Just a few months before his death, while talking about his acting career, he said,
  

  I never tried making a comeback, I never tried to lobby for roles. I never believed in being a part of the industry politics. It was always my choice to accept or reject roles. Even today I’m offered roles in A-grade movies and TV serials. But I don’t want to do roles which don’t suit my age or portray me in an immoral and disgraceful manner – especially in those sleaze flicks which are disrespectful of women. I don’t mind roles with negative shades, playing the sadistic villain or a betrayer. In fact, I love them.”