Actor Manoj Kumar played many iconic roles throughout his illustrious career. The inherent patriotism that his characters possessed earned him the nickname ‘Bharat Kumar’. The film Shaheed is one of the best examples of Manoj Kumar’s passion for his country; he played the role of the great freedom fighter Bhagat Singh in the film, and received a National Award for his work. But, in a philanthropic move, he donated his entire prize money to Bhagat Singh’s family.
Directed by S Ram Sharma, the film was released January 1, 1965. The cast of the film was filled with many heavy hitters of that era, such as Manoj Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Pran, Prem Chopra, Manmohan, Madan Puri and Karan Dewan. While talking to Hindustan Times, Manoj said, “I donated the entire amount I got for my National Award for Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s family. Awards do give any creative person a sense of satisfaction. I am happy that the government has at last rewarded my work.”
Manoj Kumar also talked about meeting the legendary director Satyajit Ray, whom he affectionately called Manikda, during a film festival in Delhi. They discussed Kumar’s film Upkar (1967) and Ray’s magnum opus Charulata (1964). “I asked him if he had watched my film, Upkar. He said he had, but found it melodramatic. I smiled and questioned him if the sequence in his own film Charulata where a thunderstorm occurs when Soumitra Chatterjee sees Madhabi Mukherjee is not melodramatic. Patting me affectionately, Manikda said I caught him! There can’t be anyone like Manikda, even today,” he said.
The actor passed away on Friday morning after being hospitalised at the Kokilaben Dhirubai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. The 87-year-old had been struggling with poor health for quite some time due to having liver cirrhosis. Tributes and prayers from all over the country poured in from all quarters.
Throughout his career, the actor worked in many influential films such as Upkar (1967), Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974), Shor (1972), Kranti (1981), and Purab Aur Paschim (1970).
