Bollywood icon Manoj Kumar passes away at 86
Veteran actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar passed away today at Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Medical reports confirm that the 86-year-old iconic star died from cardiogenic shock caused by an acute myocardial infarction, or a major heart attack. In the months leading up to his death, he had also been battling advanced liver cirrhosis, which had deteriorated his overall health.
Expressing his condolences, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to X (formerly Twitter) and wrote, "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."
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The prime minister further highlighted the lasting impact of Manoj Kumar's work, stating, "His 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." Alongside his message, PM Modi shared pictures from their past meetings, honouring the late actor's legacy.
Fondly known as 'Bharat Kumar' for his patriotic films, Manoj Kumar was a towering figure in Indian cinema. In recognition of his remarkable contributions to Bollywood, he was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1992 and was later bestowed with the esteemed Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015.
Born as Harikrishan Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Amritsar, Punjab, Manoj Kumar made an indelible mark on the film industry with classics such as "Shaheed", "Hariyali Aur Rasta", "Woh Kaun Thi?", "Himalay Ki God Mein", "Do Badan", "Patthar Ke Sanam", "Neel Kamal", "Kranti", "Upkar", and "Roti Kapada Aur Makaan". These films remain cherished as cinematic milestones.
In addition to his Padma Shri and Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Manoj Kumar was recognised with numerous accolades throughout his career, including a National Film Award and seven Filmfare Awards across various categories. His legacy as a filmmaker and actor continues to influence and inspire generations of cinephiles.
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