Sanjeev Kumar, born Harihar Jethalal Jariwala and fondly known as Haribhai, was born in Surat, Gujarat, into a traditional Gujarati family. In childhood, his family moved to Mumbai, where his passion for cinema blossomed. He enrolled in a reputed film institute, which marked the beginning of his journey in Indian cinema. Gifted with immense talent, he rose to become one of the most versatile and respected actors in the industry.

He had a sister and two younger brothers and was fluent in Gujarati, Hindi, and English. Sanjeev began his career on stage with IPTA and the Indian National Theatre. Even at 22, he impressed audiences by portraying elderly characters, such as in All My Sons and Damru, directed by A.K. Hangal.