Veteran Indian actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, renowned for his patriotic-themed movies and fondly referred to as ' Bharat Kumar,' has passed away at the age of 87. He breathed his last at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.
Anand Mahindra Pays Tribute
Business tycoon Anand Mahindra paid a homage to the late 'Bharat Kumar'. Taking to X, the Mahindra Group chairman reminisced that his family used to be fans of the actor and never missed his films.
"I feel like I've lost an important part of my childhood. My family never missed any of Manoj Kumar's films. And I remember when the film Purba Aur Paschim was released, the patriotic feeling it aroused was unprecedented. Manoj Kumar went from being an actor to a member of every family. Today I express my condolences on the passing of a family member," wrote the billionaire.
Netizens Mourn 'Bharat Kumar'
As soon as the news broke out, many fans flooded the comment section to pay their last respects to the veteran actor-director. One comment read, "You will be remembered forever, Sir.. Original 'Bharat Kumar."
Another comment read, "True filmmaker. Desh bhakti ke gaane aj bhi inke hi bajte hai."
A longtime fan reminisced when his film ran in theatres for several days during his youth. "We 70s kids won't forget his Kranti...went 6 months houseful when I was in school..."
Who Was Manoj Kumar?
Originally named Harikrishna Giri Goswami, Manoj Kumar played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of patriotic cinema in Bollywood. His portrayal of nationalist characters on screen earned him the revered title of ‘Bharat Kumar.’
Kumar, a distinguished figure in Indian cinema, was celebrated for his contributions with numerous accolades, including a National Film Award and seven Filmfare Awards across various categories. In recognition of his impact on the industry, he was honored with the Padma Shri in 1992 and later, in 2015, received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award—the highest honor in Indian cinema—bestowed by the Government of India.
Kumar's journey in films began with an unremarkable debut in Fashion Brand (1957), followed by a series of lesser-known roles in Sahara (1958), Chand (1959), and Honeymoon (1960). It was only in 1961 that he secured his first leading role in Kaanch Ki Gudiya. The same year, he appeared in films like Piya Milan Ki Aas, Suhag Sindoor, and Reshmi Roomal, though most of these failed to make an impact. However, his breakthrough came in 1962 with Hariyali Aur Rasta, directed by Vijay Bhatt and co-starring Mala Sinha. The film’s commercial success established him as a promising lead actor, paving the way for subsequent box-office hits such as Shaadi (1962), Dr. Vidya (1962), and Grahasti (1963).
Kumar’s rise to stardom accelerated in 1964 with the release of Raj Khosla’s psychological thriller Woh Kaun Thi?, a superhit widely praised for its gripping narrative and the haunting melodies of Madan Mohan, including Lata Mangeshkar’s timeless classics, "Lag Jaa Gale" and "Naina Barse Rimjhim." The following year marked a turning point in his career. In 1965, he starred in Shaheed, a patriotic drama based on the life of revolutionary Bhagat Singh. The film not only received critical acclaim but also earned praise from then-Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, emerging as a commercial success.
Later that year, Kumar cemented his position as a bankable star with Himalay Ki God Mein, a romantic drama that became a blockbuster. Before the year ended, he delivered another major hit with the suspense thriller Gumnaam. His career continued to flourish with landmark films such as Upkar (1967), Purab Aur Paschim (1970), and Kranti (1981), which further reinforced his image as a symbol of patriotism in Indian cinema.
He is survived by his wife Shashi, and two sons, Kunal and Vishal.
Anand Mahindra Pays Tribute
Business tycoon Anand Mahindra paid a homage to the late 'Bharat Kumar'. Taking to X, the Mahindra Group chairman reminisced that his family used to be fans of the actor and never missed his films.
"I feel like I've lost an important part of my childhood. My family never missed any of Manoj Kumar's films. And I remember when the film Purba Aur Paschim was released, the patriotic feeling it aroused was unprecedented. Manoj Kumar went from being an actor to a member of every family. Today I express my condolences on the passing of a family member," wrote the billionaire.
मुझे ऐसा लग रहा है जैसे मैंने अपने बचपन का कोई अहम हिस्सा खो दिया है।
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) April 4, 2025
मेरे परिवार ने कभी भी मनोज कुमार की कोई फिल्म मिस नहीं की। और मुझे याद है कि जब फिल्म पूरब और पश्चिम रिलीज हुई थी, इस फिल्म ने जो देशभक्ति का जज्बा जगाया, वह अभूतपूर्व था।
मनोज कुमार एक अभिनेता से हर परिवार… pic.twitter.com/c0NbgKjYE9
Netizens Mourn 'Bharat Kumar'
As soon as the news broke out, many fans flooded the comment section to pay their last respects to the veteran actor-director. One comment read, "You will be remembered forever, Sir.. Original 'Bharat Kumar."
Another comment read, "True filmmaker. Desh bhakti ke gaane aj bhi inke hi bajte hai."
A longtime fan reminisced when his film ran in theatres for several days during his youth. "We 70s kids won't forget his Kranti...went 6 months houseful when I was in school..."
Who Was Manoj Kumar?
Originally named Harikrishna Giri Goswami, Manoj Kumar played a pivotal role in shaping the landscape of patriotic cinema in Bollywood. His portrayal of nationalist characters on screen earned him the revered title of ‘Bharat Kumar.’
Kumar, a distinguished figure in Indian cinema, was celebrated for his contributions with numerous accolades, including a National Film Award and seven Filmfare Awards across various categories. In recognition of his impact on the industry, he was honored with the Padma Shri in 1992 and later, in 2015, received the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award—the highest honor in Indian cinema—bestowed by the Government of India.
Kumar's journey in films began with an unremarkable debut in Fashion Brand (1957), followed by a series of lesser-known roles in Sahara (1958), Chand (1959), and Honeymoon (1960). It was only in 1961 that he secured his first leading role in Kaanch Ki Gudiya. The same year, he appeared in films like Piya Milan Ki Aas, Suhag Sindoor, and Reshmi Roomal, though most of these failed to make an impact. However, his breakthrough came in 1962 with Hariyali Aur Rasta, directed by Vijay Bhatt and co-starring Mala Sinha. The film’s commercial success established him as a promising lead actor, paving the way for subsequent box-office hits such as Shaadi (1962), Dr. Vidya (1962), and Grahasti (1963).
Kumar’s rise to stardom accelerated in 1964 with the release of Raj Khosla’s psychological thriller Woh Kaun Thi?, a superhit widely praised for its gripping narrative and the haunting melodies of Madan Mohan, including Lata Mangeshkar’s timeless classics, "Lag Jaa Gale" and "Naina Barse Rimjhim." The following year marked a turning point in his career. In 1965, he starred in Shaheed, a patriotic drama based on the life of revolutionary Bhagat Singh. The film not only received critical acclaim but also earned praise from then-Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri, emerging as a commercial success.
Later that year, Kumar cemented his position as a bankable star with Himalay Ki God Mein, a romantic drama that became a blockbuster. Before the year ended, he delivered another major hit with the suspense thriller Gumnaam. His career continued to flourish with landmark films such as Upkar (1967), Purab Aur Paschim (1970), and Kranti (1981), which further reinforced his image as a symbol of patriotism in Indian cinema.
He is survived by his wife Shashi, and two sons, Kunal and Vishal.
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