Veteran Bollywood actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar has breathed his last at Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, on Friday, April 4. He was 87.
Manoj Kumar's son Kunal Goswami, confirmed the news to news agency ANI. He said that his father died at around 3.30 am after battling health-related issues for a long time.
Kunal also said that Manoj Kumar's cremation will take place on Saturday, April 5. "It's the grace of the god that he bid adieu to this world peacefully. His cremation will take place tomorrow,'' he said.
Manoj Kumar's Early Life
Mr Kumar was born as Harikrishnan Giri Goswami on July 24, 1937 in Abbottabad, which is now in Pakistan. He and his family shifted to Delhi during the Partition.
Manoj Kumar's Career And How He Earned The Title 'Bharat Kumar'
Kumar made his Bollywood debut in the late 1950s, with the 1957 film, Fashion Brand, followed by a few lesser-known roles in Sahara (1958), Chand (1959), and Honeymoon (1960). It was with the 1961 film, Kanch Ki Gudiya, he got his first break in the industry as a leading man. He starred opposite Sayeeda Khan in the film. Later, in 1962, he appeared in Hariyali Aur Rasta, opposite Mala Sinha. Raj Khosla's mystery thriller Woh Kaun Thi? (1964), was one of his first major successful films.
In 1965, he starred in the thriller, Gumnaam, which turned out to be one of the highest-grossing movies of that year, by collecting Rs 2.6 crore. In the same year, Shaheed was released. The movie was based on the life of the freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
Apart from Shaheed, Manoj Kumar starred in several patriotic films including Purab Aur Pachhim (1970) and Kranti (1981), which showed his love and dedication for the country and he cemented his image as the nation's most patriotic hero. Soon, Kumar earned the nickname 'Bharat Kumar' which means, 'son of India'.
Manoj Kumar also tried his hands in direction. He made his directorial debut with Upkar (1967), which is one of his iconic films. It was a huge success. He also helmed other films like Shor (1972), Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974) and Jai Hind (1999).
Manoj Kumar Awards And Honours
Manoj Kumar bagged his first Filmfare Best Director Award for Upkar as well as the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film. He received the Best Director award at the Filmfare Awards in 1975 for Roti Kapada Aur Makaan.
He was honoured with Padma Shri in 1992, Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, and received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015.
Manoj Kumar's Political Career
After his retirement from acting, Manoj Kumar joined politics. Before the 2004 general elections, he joined the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP).
The legendary actor and filmmaker dedicated his life to portray the true spirit of patriotism through cinema. He reminded us of our integrity, culture and roots. His death marks the end of an era in Bollywood.
