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Veteran Hindi film actor Manoj Kumar passed away in Mumbai after battling a prolonged illness. He was 87. Kumar was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, where he breathed his last on Friday.
Known for iconic films with patriotic themes, Manoj Kumar had earned the honorific Bharat Kumar. His best-known films include Purab Aur Paschim, Upkar, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, and several others. He was a recipient of the Padma Shri and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Life and career:
Manoj Kumar, born Harikrishna Giri Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad (then part of British India, now in Pakistan).
Manoj Kumar’s family moved to Delhi during the Partition of India in 1947. He graduated from Hindu College at Delhi University. Inspired by Bollywood superstar Dilip Kumar, he adopted the screen name “Manoj Kumar” after Dilip’s character in Shabnam.
He was married to Shashi Goswami and had two sons, Kunal and Vishal Goswami. His son Kunal starred in Manoj Kumar’s last directorial venture, Jai Hind (1999).
Manoj Kumar made his acting debut with Fashion (1957), but his breakthrough came with Kanch Ki Gudiya (1960). He gained recognition for his roles in films such as Hariyali Aur Rasta (1962), Woh Kaun Thi? (1964), and Shaheed (1965), where he portrayed Bhagat Singh. His patriotic roles earned him the nickname “Bharat Kumar.”
Manoj Kumar debuted as a director with Upkar in 1967. He went on to direct and act in several successful films like Shor (1972) and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. His magnum opus, Kranti (1981), featured a star-studded cast, including Dilip Kumar.
Awards:
Manoj Kumar received numerous accolades throughout his career, including the Padma Shri Award, awarded by the Government of India in 199234. Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award: In 1999, for his four-decade-long contribution to Indian cinema. Dadasaheb Phalke Award: India’s highest honor in cinema, awarded in 2016
Notable Films:
- Thrillers and Social Dramas: Gumnaam (1965), Do Badan (1966), and Patthar Ke Sanam (1967).
- Patriotic Films: His portrayal of nationalistic themes peaked with Upkar (1967), inspired by Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s call for “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan.” The film won multiple Filmfare Awards, including Best Director 14.
- Classics: Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), and Kranti (1981) solidified his status as a filmmaker who celebrated India’s cultural ethos23.
