Legendary actor-producer-director Manoj Kumar, known for his films with patriotic and nationalist themes, breathed his last this morning (4th April) around 3.30 a.m. at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital due to age-related issues. He had not been keeping good health since a long time. He was 87. He is survived by his wife and two sons, Vishal and Kunal Goswami. He will be cremated tomorrow (5th).
As an actor, Manoj Kumar regaled the audience with films with patriotic stories. The element of country-first ran high in his films, many of which ran successfully at the ticket windows. Among his super-hit films were Upkar (1967; directed by Manoj Kumar himself), Shaheed (1965), Purab Aur Paschim (1970; director also), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974; director also) and Kranti (1981; directed by him). His Shor (1972; director also) was a runaway hit. Among the other films he acted in are Hariyali Aur Rasta (1962), Woh Kaun Thi? (1964), Himalay Ki Godmein (1965), Gumnaam (1965), Do Badan (1966), Patthar Ke Sanam (1967), Neel Kamal (1968), Aadmi (1968), Pehchan (1970), Be-Imaan (1972), Sanyasi (1975), Dus Numbri (1976) and many more.
His contribution to the world of entertainment was so immense that the Indian government honoured him with the Padma Shri, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour for people in the entertainment industry.
His films invariably boasted of super-hit music. Mere dash ki dharti from Upkar stirs nationalistic feelings in listeners even today, after 57 years. Purab Aur Paschim, Shor, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, Kranti, they all had super-hit songs which contributed in no small measure to their box-office success. Many of the super-popular songs were written by Manoj Kumar as he was also an extraordinary lyricist. His song picturisations were, of course, par excellence!
Born on July 24, 1937, Manoj Kumar adopted this name for the screen. His real name was Harikrishna Giri Goswami. Because of the many patriotic films he acted in and made, he was often referred to as Bharat Kumar after the name of his character (Bharat) in Upkar. After Upkar, his character was called Bharat in some other films also.
Manoj Kumar was a very learned man. He also had a keen sense of humour. His rich experience made him an excellent conversationalist as he could draw from his huge treasure of personal anecdotes and incidents. He used to love to analyse films and their box-office numbers. Even when he did not watch a film, he used to get the report from his wife who was an avid film goer. Such was his love for cinema that after understanding from his wife or anyone else what must’ve worked and what mustn’t have worked in the film, he could discuss the film without having himself seen it. Manoj Kumar was a self-taught homoeopath and used to swear by homoeopathic medicines. He used to prescribe homoeopathic medicines to all he was close to.