Veteran actor Manoj Kumar passed away in Mumbai at the age of 87. He was well-known for his parts in patriotic movies like Kranti and Purab Aur Paschim. Due to heart-related difficulties, Mr. Kumar passed away around 3:30 am on Friday after being admitted to Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubai Ambani Hospital. According to the hospital’s medical certificate, decompensated liver cirrhosis is the secondary cause of death.
On social media X (previously Twitter), Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the “legendary actor and filmmaker’s passing. Sharing two pictures with the veteran actor, PM Modi wrote, “He was an icon of Indian cinema, who was particularly remembered for his patriotic zeal, which was also reflected in his films. Manoj Ji’s works ignited a spirit of national pride and will continue to inspire generations. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.”
According to his son Kunal Goswami, who spoke to a news outlet, Mr. Kumar has been dealing with health problems for a while. “It’s the grace of god that he bid adieu to this world peacefully. His cremation will take place tomorrow morning… He was happy. Just a little unwell.”
Mr. Kumar was born in 1937 as Harikrishnan Goswami in Abbottabad, a small town in the North-West Frontier Province of British India (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan). In 1957, Mr. Kumar made his Bollywood debut in the movie Fashion. After that, he played alongside Sayeeda Khan in Kanch Ki Gudiya (1961), which gave him his big break.
With a total of Rs 2.6 crores, his thriller Gumnaam (1965) was among the highest-grossing films of that year. Shaheed, which examined the life of independence fighter Bhagat Singh, starring Mr. Kumar that same year. He earned the moniker ‘Bharat Kumar’ for his performances in nationalistic films such as Upkaar (1967), Purab Aur Pachhim (1970), and Kranti (1981). He also performed in and directed the 1972 film Shor.
Mr Kumar won the Best Director award at the Filmfare Awards in 1975 for his movie Roti Kapada Aur Makaan. Mr Kumar was conferred the title of Padma Shri in 1992, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015. Before the 2004 general elections, Mr Kumar officially joined the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).
Union Minister Rajnath Singh mourned the loss of a “versatile” actor and expressed condolences to the family and admirers. Mr Singh recalled Mr Kumar’s work and wrote: “Shri Manoj Kumar ji was a versatile actor, who would always be remembered for making films full of patriotism. Popularly known as ‘Bharat Kumar’ his unforgettable performances in films like ‘Upkaar’, ‘Purab and Paschim’ have enriched our culture and have endeared him to people across generations. His cinematic legacy will live on through his works. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
