Veteran Hindi film actor, director, and producer Manoj Kumar passed away at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, Maharashtra, on 4th April 2025. The 87-year-old Bollywood veteran known for his patriotic films like Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, was suffering from heart complications. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other film personalities mourned the passing away of Manoj Kumar.

About Manoj Kumar and his Work 

Manoj Kumar was born as Harikrishnan Goswami in Abbottabad in 1937. Presently the Abbottabad is in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of  Pakistan.

He adopted the name Manoj Kumar for his film career.

His first film was Fashion, which was released in 1957. He gained recognition for his film Kanch Ki Gudiya (1961).

With the success of his film Gumnam, released in 1965, Manoj became an established name in the Bombay film industry.

Inspired by the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's slogan of ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’, he produced and directed the hit film ‘Upkar’ in 1967.

The success of Upkar led to numerous other patriotic films like  Purab Aur Pachhim (1970), Roti Kapda aur Makan,  Kranti (1981), etc..

He became famous as ‘Bharat Kumar’ in the film industry for his patriotic theme-based movies.

His other notable films were Shaheed, based on Bhagat Singh’s life, Sanyasi, Gumnam, Shore, Hariyali Aur Raasta, Woh Kaun Thi, Himalaya Ki God Mein, Do Badan, Patthar Ke Sanam, Neel Kamal, etc.

Awards and Honours for Manoj Kumar 

During his long and illustrious film career, Manoj Kumar was honoured with various awards.

Some of the important ones are as follows

Dadasaheb Phalke Award 

• Considered to be the most prestigious film award in India, Manoj Kumar was conferred the 47th Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015.

Filmfare Award 

• Best Director Award -  Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1975).
• Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999

Padma Shri

• India’s fourth-highest civilian award was conferred on Manoj Kumar in 1992 for his contribution to art and cinema..

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