12 hours Ago By Taru Masand
Film historian Dilip Thakur in a conversation with News9 shared some anecdotes about the late noted actor Manoj Kumar, who passed away at the age of 87. He shared how the renowned actor got the nickname 'Bharat Kumar'. New Delhi : Renowned actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumar, who was popularly referred to as ‘Bharat Kumar’ passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai on Friday (April 4) due to ge-related health issues.
He left a legacy of patriotic films that made him earn the iconic title of ‘Bharat Kumar’. But, do you know how the late actor got the popular title and when it actually happened? In this article, we will explore how the late noted actor Manoj Kumar got the iconic honour of ‘Bharat Kumar’. So, let’s delve into further details! How did Manoj Kumar get the name of Bharat Kumar? It was his film Upkaar that got him the name ‘Bharat Kumar’.
Speaking exclusively to News9, film historian Dilip Thakur opened up about the same and shared that Manoj Kumar was the “king of song picturisation” as “weaving songs and music into a screenplay and picturising them brilliantly was Manoj Kumar’s speciality”, and the same can be noticed in Upkaar. He further added, “He played Bhagat Singh in Shaheed, which also became a hit. It won the National Film Award.
When Manoj Kumar and his team went to Delhi to receive the award, Lal Bahadur Shastri suggested they make a film that would promote the Jai Jawan Jai Kisan theme. He made Upkaar, which became a hit, and he got his nickname ‘Bharat Kumar'”. A few years back, Manoj Kumar also shared how he got the nickname and told Lehren Retro that it was his character ‘Bharat’ in the 1967 film Upkar that led to the people affectionately associating with the name, which led him to earn the revered title.
When Manoj Kumar travelled to London by ship In a conversation with us, film historian Dilip Thakur also shared other interesting facts about Manoj Kumar. He told us Manoj Kumar travelled to London by ship and not an airplane. He also opened up about the late actor’s special connection with the Opera House, which had shows of Upkaar, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, and Purab Aur Paschim.
Historian Thakur also spoke about Manoj Kumar’s bond with Balasaheb Thackeray. He added, “He was a close friend of the late Shiv Sena supremo, Balasaheb Thackeray. He said in an interview that Thackeray did the colouring of the famous RK Films logo when it was renewed.
Click for more latest Celebrity news . Also get top headlines and latest news from India and around the world at News9. With over 10 years of experience in entertainment journalism, I specialize in storytelling, celebrity interviews, and content creation.
Having worked with NewsX, The Sunday Guardian, India.com, and Times Now, I now contribute to News9’s dynamic entertainment team. My work includes celebrity interviews, movie and OTT reviews, and engaging lifestyle stories tailored for diverse audiences.
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