Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 4– The Indian film industry is mourning the loss of legendary actor Manoj Kumar, who passed away in the early hours of Friday due to heart-related complications. He was 87 years old. Known for his patriotic films, Kumar’s death has sparked an outpouring of heartfelt tributes from fans, film industry veterans, and colleagues.
Senior journalists Meena Iyer and Taran Adarsh were among those who paid their respects to the iconic actor.
Taran Adarsh expressed his grief, recalling his bond with Kumar, which began after he interviewed him for the film Kranti. “It is really unfortunate… He was a legendary storyteller, editor, writer, director, producer, but most of all, a great and frank human. All the movies he made represented love towards the nation. He was spotless, and nobody could raise a finger on him,” Adarsh said.
Meena Iyer also described Kumar’s passing as a “huge loss” to the Indian film industry. “With films like Shaheed, Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, he showcased different and excellent cinema to the world,” she said, highlighting his cinematic contributions.
Iyer recalled Kumar’s close friendship with action directors Veeru Devgan and Sikandar Khanna, noting, “Their friendship was so strong that they decided if they were blessed with a son, they would name him ‘Vishal.'”
Manoj Kumar’s son, Kunal Goswami, addressed the media hours after his father’s passing, expressing deep sorrow. “Namaskar Ji, I am Kunal Goswami. Unfortunately, my father, Manoj Kumar, passed away today at 3:30 am at Kokilaben Hospital. He had been feeling unwell for a long time, but he fought every hurdle with resilience and grace. He peacefully breathed his last by God’s grace and Sai Baba’s blessings. His cremation will take place tomorrow. Thank you to all of you. Sia Ram,” he shared.
Born Harikrishan Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan), Manoj Kumar rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s, earning the moniker “Bharat Kumar” for his iconic roles in patriotic films like Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, and Shaheed.
Apart from his acting prowess, Kumar also made significant contributions as a director and producer. His directorial debut, Upkar (1967), won the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film, while other successful films he directed include Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), and Kranti (1981), all of which became major hits.