Manoj Kumar, a celebrated Indian actor renowned for his roles in Hindi-language films with strong patriotic themes, has passed away at the age of 87, Al Jazeera reports.
His son, Kunal Goswami, confirmed that Kumar died in Mumbai on Friday due to heart-related complications, according to India’s ANI news agency.
Throughout his prolific career, Kumar was admired for both acting in and directing films that emphasized national unity and pride. This earned him the nickname “Bharat” Kumar, a reference to the ancient Sanskrit word for India.
Born Harikrishan Goswami, he adopted the stage name Manoj Kumar, following Bollywood tradition.
Kumar debuted in Indian cinema in the late 1950s and subsequently starred in numerous films, many of which centered on patriotic themes. Notable examples include Upkar (1967), Purab Aur Pachhim (1970), and Kranti (1981).
He was a recipient of several prestigious national awards, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honor in cinema. Kumar was also a member of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governing Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
Prime Minister Modi led the tributes, describing Kumar as an “icon” of Indian cinema and stating that his works “ignited a spirit of national pride and will continue to inspire generations.”
Fellow Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar also paid his respects, stating that he “grew up learning from him that there’s no emotion like love and pride for our country.”
The latest news in your social feeds
Subscribe to our social media platforms to stay tuned