18 hours Ago
Throughout his career, Manoj Kumar was a pivotal figure in Indian cinema, excelling not only as a celebrated actor but also as a visionary director behind several timeless classics. Manoj Kumar, the iconic actor celebrated for his patriotic roles, passed away on April 4 in Mumbai following heart-related complications. A towering presence in Indian cinema, he wasn’t just a gifted actor but also a visionary filmmaker behind timeless classics like Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, Kranti, and Clerk.
Fondly known as “Bharat Kumar" for his nationalistic portrayals, Manoj Kumar left an indelible mark on Bollywood. His immense contribution to Indian cinema earned him the Padma Shri in 1992 and the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015. His final directorial venture was the 1999 film Jai Hind, starring his son Kunal Goswami.
As the nation pays tribute to the legendary star, here are some fascinating insights into his remarkable journey. 1 – Manoj Kumar, born Harikrishna Giri Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan), spent his early years in the same city where Osama Bin Laden was killed decades later in 2011. 2 – Inspired by his favourite actor Dilip Kumar’s character in the 1949 film Shabnam, Manoj Kumar decided to change his stage name.
3 – At the tender age of 10, he and his family were forced to flee to Delhi after the Partition. Amid the chaos, he suffered a personal tragedy—losing his infant brother to the violence. 4 – The veteran star made his acting debut in the 1957 film Fashion, where he played a beggar, but the film didn’t help him gain any recognition.
5 – During his early days, Manoj Kumar worked as a ghostwriter in various studios, where he earned just Rs 11 per scene. 6 – After the 1965 Indo-Pak War, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri encouraged Manoj Kumar to create a film based on the slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kisan and this led to his directorial debut Upkaar in 1967. 7 – In 1989, Manoj Kumar made a bold move by casting Pakistani actors Mohammad Ali and Zeba in his film Clerk.
8 – The actor received a standing ovation when he was brought on stage in a wheelchair to receive the highest honour in Indian cinema at Vigyan Bhavan. 9 – After Kranti, his career declined and he quit acting after Maidan-E-Jung in 1995. He later returned to direct his son, Kunal Goswami in the film Jai Hind.
10 – Manoj Kumar was survived by his wife, Shashi Goswami and his two sons, Vishal Goswami and Kunal Goswami..
