Actor Manoj Kumar, India’s original ‘Bharat Kumar’, dies at 87; tributes flow in

#WATCH | Mumbai | On the demise of Indian actor and film director Manoj Kumar, Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit says, “…The legendary Dadasaheb Phalke award winner, our inspiration and the ‘lion’ of the Indian film industry, Manoj Kumar Ji is no more…It is a great loss to the industry… pic.twitter.com/vWL7FRI44D

— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2025

Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared old pictures of the legendary actor in a social media post on Friday morning. The PM wrote, “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. Manoj Ji’s works ignited a spirit of national pride and will continue to inspire generations. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.”

Born in present-day Pakistan, Manoj Kumar’s birth name is Harikrishan Giri Goswami. In addition to being an actor, he also branched out as a filmmaker. “I never intended to be a director in the first place. I became one by default when during Shaheed I had to direct the film unofficially. Then Lal Bahadur Shastri raised the slogan of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan. That’s how I made Upkar,” he told Rediff.com in an interview.

Also read – Manoj Kumar: The OG Bharat Kumar who made Upkar at PM Lal Bahadur Shastri’s request, sold his house to make patriotic films

Actor Akshay Kumar, who Manoj Kumar himself described as his ‘natural successor’, wrote in a social media post, “I grew up learning from him that there’s no emotion like love and pride for our country. And if we actors won’t take the lead in showing this emotion, who will? Such a fine person, and one of the biggest assets of our fraternity. RIP Manoj Sir. Om Shanti.”

Reflecting on his ‘Bharat Kumar’ moniker, he told Lehren TV in an interview, “Bharat ka to taaj yeh jo bharatwashiyon ne mujhe pehnanya hai woh filmon aur vyaktigat jeewan mein nibhana bahot bada bhoj aur zimmedari hai. Yeh bada upkar hai unka mujpar. Main kitna safal aur asafal hua, woh mere deshwashi jante hai. Main ek sadharan sa nagrik hoon (I’m honoured by what my fellow countrymen have entrusted me with today, both in films and personal life. It’s a significant responsibility. It’s a great favour they’ve done for me. How successful I’ve been is known to my fellow citizens. I’m just an ordinary person).”