Manoj Kumar, the celebrated Indian actor and filmmaker renowned for infusing Indian cinema with powerful patriotic themes through films like Upkar and Purab Aur Paschim, has passed away in Mumbai.
According to Variety, Kumar died on Friday at the age of 87 due to a heart attack brought on by cardiogenic shock.
Fondly dubbed “Bharat Kumar” for his deep-rooted nationalism reflected in his movies, Kumar left an enduring mark on Indian cinema.
Born Harikrishan Goswami in Abbottabad — then a part of British India and now in Pakistan — his family moved to Delhi after the Partition. He later attended Hindu College at Delhi University before stepping into the film industry in the late 1950s.
Kumar’s early appearances include roles in Kaanch Ki Gudiya (1961), Hariyali Aur Raasta (1962), and Woh Kaun Thi? (1964). His portrayal of revolutionary Bhagat Singh in Shaheed (1965) firmly established him as a commanding screen presence.
The turning point in his career came with Upkar (1967), which he both directed and starred in. The film, inspired by Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” (Hail the Soldier, Hail the Farmer), became the defining piece of his patriotic image.
Throughout the 1970s, Kumar continued exploring Indian identity and pressing social themes in a series of successful films he directed himself. Titles like Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Shor (1972), and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974) resonated with audiences, seamlessly merging commercial appeal with strong social commentary.
In 1981, he directed Kranti, a historical epic centered around India’s struggle for independence. The film emerged as one of the decade’s top box-office earners.
Kumar’s contributions were widely recognized — he was honored with the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, in 1992. He received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999 and, in 2015, was bestowed with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Indian cinema’s most prestigious accolade.
In addition to his cinematic legacy, Kumar was also affiliated with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), the political party led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Following the news of his death, Prime Minister Modi expressed condolences on X (formerly Twitter):
“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.”
