Manoj Kumar (1938-2025): ‘Sang emotions of patriotic young Indians’

On Kumar’s subsequent popularity as “the role model for the patriotic Indian young man”, Desai says: “India was independent and proud of itself. How do you portray the ideal young man? Mere Des ki Dharti is the song we most remember him by. Manoj Kumar sang the emotions of the young patriotic Indians, fighting, being a martyr and keeping the flag high.”

In Shaheed (1965), his first major ‘patriotic’ film based on the life of Bhagat Singh, Manoj Kumar (born Harikrishna Giri Goswami) essayed the central role of the young revolutionary. Later on, the actor-turned-director was rechristened ‘Bharat Kumar’, thanks to the popularity of his on-screen persona in Upkar (1967).  Set in the backdrop of the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965 and inspired by former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s vision for India — “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” — Manoj Kumar as Upkar’s protagonist is seen in the first half as a farmer and later as an armyman.

Much before Bollywood turned to nationalism for their narratives, Kumar, made patriotism his calling card. The recipient of several top honours, including Padma Shri (1992) and Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2015), Kumar was born in Abbottabad in Pakistan in 1937. He was ten when his family moved to Delhi after Partition where they lived in a refugee camp initially. In a number of interviews, Kumar had spoken about the pain of Partition and losing his two-month-old brother during that period. It was perhaps these memories that shaped his cinematic sensibilities in later years.

At the age of 19, Manoj Kumar appeared on the screen for the first time in a brief role as an elderly beggar in Fashion (1957). After playing small roles in several movies, he appeared in a lead role in Kaanch Ki Gudiya (1961). He tasted commercial success with Hariyali Aur Rasta (1962) and later, with Woh Kaun Thi (1964).

Even though after the release of Upkar, and the boost in his starpower, he continued to act in the usual entertaining movies, his focus shifted to patriotic movies such as Purab Aur Paschim (1970), which exulted Indian values, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974) talked about the struggles of a commonman; and historical drama Kranti (1981). He even took care to harness his image as Bharat Kumar choosing not to smoke during his public appearances or touching his female co-actors on screen in his later movies. Apart from directing and acting, he also wrote and produced a number of his movies. Kumar is survived by his wife, Shashi Goswami, and sons, Kunal and Vishal. His last rites will be held on Saturday 5 at Pawan Hans in Vile Parle, Mumbai.

Following the news of his death, tributes poured in from all quarters. Prime Minister Narendra Modi called the veteran actor-director “an icon of Indian cinema and added, “Manoj Ji’s works ignited a spirit of national pride and will continue to inspire generations.” President Droupadi Murmu said that the actor’s work will “continue to inspire generations”.

Actor-producer Ajay Devgn in his tweet shared that Manoj Kumar gave his father, Veeru Devgan, his very first break as an action director in Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. “From there, their collaboration continued all the way to Kranti, creating moments that are now part of Indian cinema’s golden history,” Devgn wrote. Actor Raveena Tandon, while speaking to the media during her visit to Manoj Kumar’s residence, said that the legendary actor too has given her father Ravi Tandon his first break in movies. Bollywood biggies including Aamir Khan and Salman Khan too paid the tribute to the deceased actor.