The Padma Shri and Dadasaheb Phalke awardee, fondly known as ‘Bharat Kumar’, died at 87 after battling prolonged illness. His legacy of patriotism and cinematic brilliance remains unmatched.
“A Great Maker Like Him Will Never Be Again”: Manoj Kumar Passes Away at 87
‘Bharat Kumar’ of Indian cinema dies in Mumbai after battling heart and liver complications
Mumbai, April 4: Indian cinema has lost one of its most cherished icons. Veteran actor, writer, and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, known as “Bharat Kumar” for his deeply patriotic roles, passed away in Mumbai at the age of 87.
The legendary star breathed his last at 4:03 am at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where he was undergoing treatment. According to the medical team, Kumar succumbed to cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction—a massive heart attack—compounded by decompensated liver cirrhosis, a condition he had been battling for months. He had been admitted to the hospital on February 21, 2025, as his health deteriorated.
Born Harikrishan Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Amritsar, Punjab, Kumar became a symbol of patriotism on screen. His roles in Shaheed, Upkar, and Purab Aur Paschim defined a generation’s understanding of nationalism, making him an icon not just in cinema, but in India’s cultural and emotional landscape.
Over the decades, Manoj Kumar’s influence stretched beyond acting. As a filmmaker, he masterfully blended social commentary with patriotic fervor, earning him seven Filmfare Awards, a National Film Award, the Padma Shri in 1992, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award—India’s highest cinematic honor—in 2015.
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit, among many others, expressed heartfelt condolences. “It’s a great loss to the industry. Manojji will really be missed. A great soul like him, a great maker like him, will never be there in our industry,” he told ANI.
Kumar’s storytelling was not just cinematic—it was emotional, deeply rooted in India’s cultural ethos. Even in death, he leaves behind a legacy that continues to inspire filmmakers, unite generations, and remind Indians of the value of love for the motherland.
He is survived by a filmography that will echo in the hearts of millions for generations to come.