Mumbai, April 4, 2025 — Veteran Bollywood actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, affectionately known as 'Bharat Kumar' for his patriotic roles, passed away early this morning at the age of 87. He breathed his last at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, following a prolonged illness.
Born Harikrishna Giri Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad, then part of British India, Manoj Kumar's family moved to Delhi during the Partition. He began his cinematic journey in the late 1950s, but it was his portrayal of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh in "Shaheed" (1965) that catapulted him to fame. His directorial debut, "Upkar" (1967), was inspired by Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's call for "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan," and earned him the National Film Award. Kumar continued to make a mark with films like "Purab Aur Paschim" (1970), "Roti Kapda Aur Makaan" (1974), and "Kranti" (1981), solidifying his status as a stalwart of patriotic cinema.
In recognition of his contributions to Indian cinema, Manoj Kumar was honored with the Padma Shri in 1992 and the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015.
Tributes have poured in from across the nation. Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences, stating, "Deeply saddened by the passing of legendary actor and filmmaker Shri Manoj Kumar Ji. He was an icon of Indian cinema, who was particularly remembered for his patriotic zeal, which was also reflected in his films.
