The passing away of the legendary actor-director Manoj Kumar on Friday morning left the entire country in a state of deep mourning. At the age of 87, Kumar passed away at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. Famous for his work in Indian cinema, Kumar’s demise signifies the end of an era.
Reason for Death
Soon after his death, his son Kunal Goswami issued a statement disclosing that Kumar had been suffering from age-related ailments for some time. He thanked God for the peaceful way his father left the world, saying, “He has had health-related issues for a long time. It’s the grace of god that he bid adieu to this world peacefully.” His family confirmed that his cremation would be conducted the next day.
#WATCH | Veteran actor Manoj Kumar passed away at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital early this morning at around 3:30 AM.
His son, Kunal Goswami, says, “…He has had health-related issues for a long time. It’s the grace of the god that he bid adieu to this world… pic.twitter.com/bTYQnXNHcF
— ANI (@ANI) April 4, 2025
A Glorious Career in Films
Manoj Kumar was a very prominent personality in Indian cinema, and he was recognized for his acting as well as directorial skills, especially for films revolving around patriotic subjects. Some of his most acclaimed works are “Shaheed” (1965), “Upkar” (1967), “Purab Aur Paschim” (1970), and “Roti Kapda Aur Makaan” (1974). Because of his love for such films, he came to be lovingly called “Bharat Kumar.”
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Apart from performing, Kumar also directed some of the most legendary films, such as “Hariyali Aur Raasta,” “Woh Kaun Thi,” “Himalaya Ki God Mein,” “Do Badan,” “Patthar Ke Sanam,” “Neel Kamal,” and “Kranti.” His talent for crafting stories that spoke to the nation’s soul made him a favorite among millions.
Awards and Recognition
Kumar’s work in Indian cinema went unrewarded. He was recognized with the Padma Shri in 1992, a praise for the influence his work had in the industry. Adding to his legacy further, he was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015, India’s highest honor in cinema, in recognition of the years of service he gave to the craft.
Final Farewell
While the country is grieving the loss of this film icon, Manoj Kumar’s last rites are to be held on Saturday, April 5. His legacy will surely continue to motivate generations of actors and filmmakers to come. The film fraternity, as well as fans, will not only recall him for his films, but also for the passion and patriotism he infused in his work.
