Veteran actor and director Manoj Kumar, a renowned figure in Bollywood for his patriotic movies such as Purab Aur Paschim and Kranti, passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai. Manoj Kumar was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where he died due to heart-related complications at 3:30 am on Friday. The medical certificate issued by the hospital cited decompensated liver cirrhosis as a secondary cause of death.
Prime Minister Modi Pays Tribute
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the news on the social media site X (formerly Twitter). Sharing two photographs with the legendary actor, he said, “He was an icon of Indian cinema, who was particularly remembered for his patriotic zeal, which was also reflected in his films. Manoj Ji’s 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.”
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. Manoj Ji’s works ignited a spirit of national pride and will… pic.twitter.com/f8pYqOxol3
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 4, 2025
Manoj Kumar’s Legacy and Career
Born in 1937 in Abbottabad, British India (now Pakistan), Manoj Kumar’s birth name was Harikrishnan Goswami. He debuted in Bollywood in 1957 with Fashion and then became famous with Kanch Ki Gudiya (1961). His thriller Gumnaam in 1965 turned out to be one of the year’s top-grossing films, raking in Rs 2.6 crore. In the same year, he was featured in Shaheed, a biopic of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
His work in Upkaar (1967), Purab Aur Pachhim (1970), and Kranti (1981) also landed him the status of ‘Bharat Kumar. ‘ He not only acted in Shor (1972) but also directed it. He received the Best Director award at the Filmfare Awards in 1975 for Roti Kapda Aur Makaan.
Manoj Kumar has been the recipient of many awards, such as the Padma Shri award in 1992, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015. Before the 2004 general election, Manoj Kumar formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), becoming the actor’s entry into politics.
Family and Tributes by Bollywood
His son Kunal Goswami approved the news of his death and expressed, “It’s the grace of god that he bid adieu to this world peacefully. His cremation will take place tomorrow morning… He was happy. Just a little unwell.”
Union Minister Rajnath Singh expressed sorrow at the loss and said, “Shri Manoj Kumar ji was a versatile actor, who would always be remembered for making films full of patriotism. Popularly known as ‘Bharat Kumar’ his unforgettable performances in films like ‘Upkaar’, ‘Purab and Paschim’ have enriched our culture and have endeared him to people across generations. His cinematic legacy will live on through his works. Condolences to his family and admirers. Om Shanti.”
Shri Manoj Kumar ji was a versatile actor, who would always be remembered for making films full of patriotism. Popularly known as ‘Bharat Kumar’ his unforgettable performances in films like ‘Upkaar’, ‘Purab and Paschim’ have enriched our culture and have endeared him to people…
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) April 4, 2025
Director Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri also offered a tribute, saying, “Patriots and artists like him never die.”
India’s first truly original and committed Indic filmmaker, Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Shri Manoj Kumar ji, left us today.
A proud nationalist.
A staunch Hindu at heart.
A visionary director who gave Indian cinema a new grammar — of song picturisation, of meaningful lyrics, of… pic.twitter.com/Te8PNBbIv5— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) April 4, 2025
Manoj Kumar’s work towards Indian cinema and his unshakable patriotic heart will remain an inspiration to generations to come. His work lives on through his films and remains immortal.
