The man who gave India its cinematic patriotism: Manoj Kumar dies at 87

Manoj Kumar, the iconic Indian actor, director, and screenwriter best known for his patriotic films and his evocative portrayal of nationalist themes in Hindi cinema, passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai on April 4, 2025. Revered across generations for infusing his films with strong socio-political messages, Manoj Kumar’s death marks the end of an era defined by cinematic patriotism and deeply rooted moral storytelling.

Known throughout his career as ‘Bharat Kumar’ for his repeated on-screen portrayals of India’s collective spirit, Manoj Kumar leaves behind a body of work that transcended mere entertainment. His films served as cultural touchstones that influenced public sentiment, shaped patriotic narratives, and provided both critique and celebration of Indian society in equal measure.

How did Manoj Kumar’s early life shape his cinematic voice?

Manoj Kumar was born Harikrishan Giri Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad in British India, a town that later became part of Pakistan following the Partition of 1947. The displacement that came with his family’s migration to Delhi during Partition had a lasting impact on the young Manoj Kumar. This formative experience would later manifest itself through characters who embodied sacrifice, nationhood, and resilience.

Educated at Hindu College, University of Delhi, Manoj Kumar was deeply influenced by cinema from a young age. Like many of his generation, he admired the nuanced performances of Dilip Kumar. In fact, he adopted the name ‘Manoj Kumar’ after one of Dilip Kumar’s characters, beginning a lifelong journey that would mirror his hero’s intensity but forge its own thematic path centered around national identity and the common Indian’s dignity.

How did Manoj Kumar’s early career evolve into superstardom?

Manoj Kumar’s entry into the Hindi film industry in the late 1950s was relatively modest. He began with lesser-known roles in films like Fashion (1957) and Sahara (1958), gradually building a reputation. His first breakthrough came with Hariyali Aur Rasta (1962), which showcased his ability to command the screen with emotional subtlety. The defining turning point, however, was Shaheed (1965), where Manoj Kumar portrayed Bhagat Singh, India’s martyred freedom fighter. The film deeply resonated with Indian audiences and turned Manoj Kumar into a symbol of patriotic integrity.

The commercial and critical acclaim of Shaheed catapulted him to a new echelon. He followed this success with a string of hits that spanned genres but always hinted at a deeper concern for national identity and justice. Woh Kaun Thi? (1964) and Himalay Ki God Mein (1965) further strengthened his star power, but it was the path he carved through films like Upkar that would forever link his name to the cinematic representation of patriotism.

What led to Manoj Kumar’s creation of the Bharat Kumar persona?

The moniker ‘Bharat Kumar’ didn’t arrive by accident—it was earned through a series of films that positioned Manoj Kumar not just as a star, but as a symbol of India’s conscience. Following the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri reportedly urged Manoj Kumar to create a film that embodied the spirit of his slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan” (Hail the soldier, hail the farmer). The result was Upkar (1967), a film that left an indelible impact on the Indian psyche.

Upkar was both a commercial triumph and a cultural milestone. Featuring the timeless anthem “Mere Desh Ki Dharti,” it captured the soul of rural India and highlighted the dual sacrifices of the soldier and the farmer. Manoj Kumar not only acted in the film but directed and co-wrote it as well, showcasing his growing creative control. The success of Upkar earned him the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film and multiple Filmfare Awards, including Best Director.

How did Manoj Kumar’s patriotic filmography evolve through the decades?

The success of Upkar was not an isolated event. Manoj Kumar followed it with Purab Aur Paschim (1970), where he played an idealistic Indian visiting the West, battling cultural alienation and Western cynicism while asserting traditional Indian values. The film’s relevance only deepened as India’s post-independence youth grappled with the push and pull of globalisation.

In Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), he tackled economic inequality and systemic corruption, themes still resonant today. The title itself became part of political vocabulary, encapsulating the basic needs of the Indian population. He shared the screen with actors like Shashi Kapoor, Zeenat Aman, and Amitabh Bachchan, maintaining his central presence despite the shifting Bollywood landscape.

His most ambitious project came in the form of Kranti (1981), a historical epic about India’s freedom struggle. Featuring a star-studded cast including Dilip Kumar, Hema Malini, and Shatrughan Sinha, Kranti became one of the highest-grossing Indian films of the decade and was a box office phenomenon in northern India.

What challenges did Manoj Kumar face during the later stages of his career?

By the mid-1980s, the dynamics of the Hindi film industry had begun to shift. Audiences were embracing new genres, faster-paced narratives, and emerging stars. Manoj Kumar, known for his deliberate, message-driven films, found it difficult to adapt to these changes. Films like Kalyug Aur Ramayan (1987), Santosh (1989), and Clerk (1989) failed to resonate with the newer generation.

Despite attempts to revive his relevance—including directing Jai Hind (1999) with his son Kunal Goswami—these efforts did not find success. By the time he received the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, Manoj Kumar had effectively retired from cinema, choosing to remain out of the public spotlight.

He briefly entered the political arena in the early 2000s, aligning with the Bharatiya Janata Party, a move that aligned with his on-screen nationalist image, but he remained largely inactive as a political figure.

How has Manoj Kumar been remembered and honoured for his contributions?

Manoj Kumar’s legacy was formally recognised when he was awarded the Padma Shri in 1992. In 2015, he received Indian cinema’s highest honour, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, underscoring his role as a trailblazer in the industry. He also received multiple lifetime achievement awards and accolades from both state and national institutions.

Beyond trophies and titles, Manoj Kumar’s cultural footprint is etched in India’s collective memory. His signature pose—covering part of his face with his hand—became a trope widely mimicked across generations. His movies continue to be broadcast on national holidays, a testament to their enduring emotional power.

What made Manoj Kumar’s work stand out in Indian cinema history?

Manoj Kumar distinguished himself not just as an actor but as a storyteller who believed cinema could drive social change. At a time when commercial success often depended on escapism, he took a contrarian stance, offering audiences films that were both entertaining and socially reflective. His deep voice, moral gravitas, and unflinching belief in Indian values made him a cinematic anomaly—one who did not chase stardom but earned it by standing for something more than fame.

His storytelling always served a dual function: celebrating India’s identity while holding a mirror to its shortcomings. That commitment to duality—to hope and critique—earned him the rare respect of both masses and critics, a feat few others in Hindi cinema have managed consistently.

Manoj Kumar died at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai following prolonged heart-related complications, with liver cirrhosis listed as a contributing cause. He is survived by his wife, Shashi Goswami, and their children, including actor Kunal Goswami. As tributes continue to pour in, his passing is being felt as the symbolic loss of a voice that once captured the heartbeat of the nation.

His films will continue to speak for him—reverberating across decades, playing on Republic Day, Independence Day, and in the living rooms of millions of Indians who see a piece of themselves in the struggles, values, and hopes of the characters he brought to life.