Indian Actor Manoj Kumar, Renowned for Patriotic Roles, Passes Away in Mumbai at 87

Legendary actor Manoj Kumar, who was well known for his patriotic films, passed away in Mumbai today. He was 87.

He died due to heart-related complications at Kokilaben Dhirubai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai at 3:30 am on Friday.

According to his medical certificate, the secondary cause of his death was decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Manoj Kumar’s son, Kunal Goswani, said, "It's the grace of God that he bid adieu to this world peacefully. His cremation will take place tomorrow morning... He was happy, just a little unwell."

Mr. Kumar debuted in Bollywood in 1957 with the film Fashion. He then got his break in Kanch Ki Gudiya (1961), where he acted alongside Sayeeda Khan. However, he rose to stardom in the 1960s and 1970s. His films often dealt with social and political issues, particularly those that celebrated India's freedom, culture, and history.

He was known for films like Purab Aur Paschim, Kranti, and Roti Kapada Aur Makaan. The actor rightly earned the name "Bharat Kumar" as he featured in numerous patriotic films. His performances were highly appreciated by the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri.

Mr. Kumar was conferred the title of Padma Shri in 1992, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015.

The iconic actor was known as a cheerful person who was always in high spirits. The actor was also a family-oriented individual. He was inspired by actors like Dilip Kumar, Ashok Kumar, and Kamini Kaushal. He decided to name himself Manoj Kumar after Dilip Kumar’s character in Shabnam.

Many prominent personalities mourned his death today. His contribution to Indian cinema has been widely recognized. Manoj Kumar’s passing is a significant loss to the Indian film industry. His legacy as a patriotic hero in Hindi cinema endures.