Legendary Bollywood actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, widely known for his patriotic roles and contributions to Indian cinema, passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai. He breathed his last at 3:30 am on Friday at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where he had been undergoing treatment for heart-related complications. According to medical reports, decompensated liver cirrhosis was listed as a secondary cause of death.
Manoj Kumar Passes Away
Born as Harikrishnan Goswami in 1937 in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan), Manoj Kumar rose to prominence in Indian cinema with a series of powerful and socially resonant performances. He began his acting career in 1957 with Fashion and gained recognition in the early 1960s with Kanch Ki Gudiya. His work in the thriller Gumnaam (1965) proved to be a commercial success, but it was Shaheed, released the same year, that established his reputation as a serious actor deeply connected to India’s freedom struggle narratives.
Manoj Kumar’s legacy was firmly cemented with iconic films like Upkaar (1967), Purab Aur Pachhim (1970), and Kranti (1981), which earned him the affectionate title ‘Bharat Kumar’ for his on-screen patriotism. He also directed and starred in Shor (1972), showcasing his versatility as a filmmaker. His 1974 directorial, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, won him the Filmfare Award for Best Director.
Tributes poured in following the news of his death, including from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who hailed Kumar as an “icon of Indian cinema” and praised his ability to inspire national pride through film.
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In recognition of his lifetime of work, Manoj Kumar was honored with the Padma Shri in 1992, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015. His funeral is scheduled for Saturday morning, according to his son Kunal Goswami, who shared that his father had been battling health issues for some time but remained peaceful in his final moments.
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