Manoj Kumar was an Indian actor in Hindi films. His original name was Hari Krishnan Giri Goswami. He was born on 24 July 1937 and expired on 4 April 2025. In his career of four decades, he worked in 54 films. Most of his films were patriotic, so he was nicknamed Bharat Kumar. He got Padmashree and Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
Manoj Kumar was born in Abbotabad, Pakistan, into a Hindu Brahmin family. After partition, his family migrated to India. His ideals were Dilip Kumar, Ashok Kumar, and Kamini Kaushal. After Dilip Kumar’s character in the film Shabnam, he changed his name to Manoj Kumar.
His early films were Fashion (1957), Sahara (1958), Chand (1959), Honeymoon (1960). His leading roles in films like Kanch Ki Gudiya (1961), Piya Milan Ki Aas (1961), Suhaag Sindoor (1961) did not do well. His real breakthrough was Hariyali Aur Raasta (1962) opposite Mala Sinha. After this, other films followed — Shaheed (1962), Dr. Vidya (1962), Grihasti (1963), Phoolon Ki Sej (1964); all were box office hits. But Raj Khosla’s Woh Kaun Thi (1964), a suspense thriller, brought Manoj Kumar to the forefront of Hindi cinema. “Lag Jaa Gale” and “Naina Barse Rimjhim” were super Madan Mohan compositions. Lata’s voice added to the charm.
In the year 1965, Shaheed was released. The film was based on Bhagat Singh’s life. It was praised by the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri. His other films were Himalaya Ki God Mein, Gumnaam, Do Badan. On the request of Lal Bahadur Shastri, Manoj Kumar made Upkar (1967). Purab Aur Paschim was another successful film. Roti Kapda Aur Makaan was added to the list.
Manoj Kumar was one of the greatest actors of Hindi films. He imitated Dilip Kumar. Once Amitabh Bachchan said — if any actor is saying “I am not imitating Dilip Kumar,” he is lying. In the film Aadmi, Manoj Kumar acted with Dilip Kumar. There was a clash of the titans. It was a fine film. Manoj Kumar became a director also. He became a big director like Raj Kapoor, Raj Khosla, Mehboob Khan. Manoj Kumar directed Upkar (1967), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), Kranti (1981). His closest friends in the industry were Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Mukesh, Mahendra Kapoor, Dharmendra, Rajendra Kumar, and Shashi Kapoor.
As a man, Manoj Kumar was a disciplinarian. Once he gave stricture to Hema Malini and a director for not conforming to rules and morality. Above all, he was a patriot. He loved his country, India — Hindustan. He expressed his love for the nation in cinema in a sensible way.
All told, Manoj Kumar was a good actor. His contribution to Hindi cinema is remarkable. Who can forget the opening song of the film Anita — “Gore Gore Chand Ke Mukh Par Kali Kali Aankhen Hain.” Manoj Kumar has left us. We will miss him.
(The views expressed are the writer’s own.)
Radhakanta Seth is a Former Income tax officer in Sambalpur. He is a Freelance writer and his articles have been published in some Oriya dailies like Sambad, Samaj, Dharitri and English dailies like The Telegraph and in a sociological journal ‘Folklore’ published from Kolkata.
(Photo has collected from net )