Veteran actor and director Manoj Kumar, aged 87, has passed away at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, leaving a profound impact on the film industry and the nation. Widely recognized for his patriotic films, he was affectionately known as ‘Bharat Kumar.’ His death, attributed to age-related health issues, occurred at 3:30 AM today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his sorrow on X, honoring Kumar as a symbol of Indian cinema and a source of national pride, whose works inspired countless generations.
Kumar, born Harikishan Giri Goswami in Abbottabad, Pakistan, on July 24, 1937, experienced the trauma of partition as his family moved to India. He harbored a lifelong passion for acting, drawing inspiration from icons like Ashok Kumar and Dilip Kumar. Filmmaker Ashok Pandit also mourned his loss, calling him a source of inspiration and the ‘Lion’ of the Indian film industry. Manoj Kumar’s legacy will endure through his impactful films and the deep respect he earned throughout his lifetime.
Manoj Kumar entered the film industry in 1957 with ‘Fashion’ and gained recognition with his lead role in 1960’s ‘Kanch Ki Gudiya.’ He delivered iconic films like Upkar, Patthar Ke Sanam, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Sannyasi, and Kranti, often credited as Bharat Kumar. His film ‘Upkar’ was particularly significant, inspired by a request from Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri following the 1965 India-Pakistan war, incorporating the slogan “Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan,” which resonated deeply with audiences. During the challenging period of the Emergency, Manoj Kumar maintained a good relationship with Indira Gandhi but faced backlash for opposing her regime. This led to the preemptive airing of his hit film ‘Shor’ on Doordarshan and the ban of ‘Das Nambari.’
