Harikrishna Giri Goswami, better known as Manoj Kumar was born on July 24th 1937. He was born in a small town called Abbottabad in North West Frontier Province, during British India, now called Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in Pakistan.
The Filmmaker's Early Career and Breakthrough
Manoj Kumar debuted in Bollywood in the film Fashion in 1957. From Shaheed to Kranti, the actor had acted in some of the most popular patriotic films. His career spanning across four decades, he was a versatile actor who aced roles from all genres. With every film that he did, he went on to become popular among his fans and the masses across the world. He has left a profound mark in Indian cinema with his memorable performances in Purab Aur Pachhim, Upkar, Woh Kaun Thi, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, and Gumnaam, to name a few.
The Actor Acquiring The Title of 'Bharat Kumar'
The legendary actor, filmmaker, and director was a celebrated patriot of the silver screen, a much-respected film personality who earned the title of ‘ Bharat Kumar’ in the film Industry for acting and directing patriotic films. The actor has left a significant impact, particularly in Bollywood, where he was an idol and inspiration to many prominent actors of today. He was deeply rooted in the Indian freedom movement, and through his films on patriotism, he narrated timeless stories.
Manoj Kumar played an integral part in the film industry with the countless memories of his films that have been iconic and are remembered to date for their script, the casting and the songs. He was one of the most brilliant actors who continued to be passionate about films even when he was away from the limelight due to his failing health.
The Actor-Filmmaker's Legacy and Impact
He once shared an anecdote on how he got the title of ‘Bharath Kumar’ or ‘ Mr. Bharath’. This was after the release of the film Upkar in which he essays the character of Bharat in the film, which was produced and directed by himself, and it also featured Asha Parekh and Prem Chopra in pivotal roles.
He said he had decided to call himself Bharat in the film as an actor who plays a good character’s role, as he believed a good character role stays with him forever and since India is our country he took the name that suited the story that was based on agricultural and India is an agricultural country. The film connected with the fields, and he believed our country belonged to the farmers. He expressed he was a simple young boy and was given the very prestigious title ‘Bharat’ by the people of this country, and with that name, the actor felt honored, but he had a huge responsibility to live up to the expectations of that image the public had conferred on him.
In a career spanning across four decades with his acclaimed roles of all genres, whether it was drama, romance or one that shed a light on social issues, Manoj Kumar acted in each of the films with conviction, but he is most remembered for his patriotic films, which were box office hits Here are some of the best films of Manoj Kumar.
1. Shaheed, released in 1965 and set during India’s post-independence era, is set as a benchmark that cemented a place for Manoj Kumar in the biographical dramas.
2. Upkar was an iconic film released in 1967 that earned him the title of ‘Bharat Kumar’. The film was about a farmer who was a soldier at heart and selfless.
3. Purab Aur Paschim, released in the year 1970, had Manoj Kumar playing the role of Bharat, a patriotic Indian who upholds his roots and traditions despite living out of the country. The film explores the ideologies of East vs West and is an eye-opener to the conflict that arises between Western Influence and the Indian traditions.
4. Kranti an epic of revolutionary bold film, was released in 1981 based on the outline of India’s independence. A Manoj Kumar directorial film featured veteran actors such as Dilip Kumar, Hema Malini and Shatrughan Sinha in the lead roles.
5. Jai Hind of 1999 was Manoj Kumar’s last directorial film, a mix of patriotism and romance, revenge and terrorism that revolved around two retired colonels.
The renowned actor is not only known for his remarkable contribution, not also for his talent in acting, but also as a director and writer with his cinematic excellence. He has dedicated his career to portraying films that were socially relevant themes that had his fans and audience captivated over the decades.
He was one of the most versatile actors in the history of Indian cinema. With his commanding presence and dialogue delivery, he soon became the favorite and an unforgettable figure on the silver screen. He was an institution by himself.
Today, on his death, it’s a beautiful reminder of the personality who touched the lives of people of India just by his films, his timeless performance that will continue to inspire generations of actors and filmmakers. His films will be unforgettable as Manoj Kumar made his films with dedication and with passion for recreating stories to narrate, which the audience could resonate.
A symbol of patriotism in Indian Cinema. His films instilled in all of us a deep sense of National Pride, while his legacy will continue to inspire the generations ahead. It’s the end of the Golden Era of Bollywood as the nation mourns his death today due to heart-related complications. The actor left his mortal body at the age of 87 at the Kokila Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital today, on 4th April 2025. However, he left an evergreen legacy with a profound impact that can be seen across his filmography and biography. He was one of the filmmakers of the Indian Cinema who had skillfully crafted innumerous stories that tackled various social issues that made them relevant and suitable for the audiences catering to the contemporary cinema. His films had quite often featured powerful dialogues and memorable songs that further enhanced its impact.
However, his remarkable legacy came to an end on 4th April, 2025, wherein he passed away at the age of 87 years due to heart-related complications at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. As a symbol of patriotism in the Indian cinema, he had significantly instilled an profound sense of national pride in his audiences. His timeless performances will resonate for years to come, ensuring that he remains an unforgettable figure in the history of Bollywood.
Manoj Kumar’s tragic demise marks the end of an era in Indian cinema. He leaves However, his legacy will continue to motivate and inspire the future generations to create the art and cinema.Once, he had shared that he chosed to call his character Bharat in "Upkar" to honor India's agricultural roots to emphasize the importance of farmers in the society. This decision had showcased his ability to connect his personal identity within the national pride that acted as a hallmark of his work.
Various cult classics such as Shaheed and Kranti not only entertained but also educated viewers about India’s rich history and values, but also instilled an sense of unity and pride that made him a beloved figure in the hearts of numerous people from various decades.
