Manoj Kumar’s mortal remains taken for funeral with state honor

Mumbai, April 04 (ANI): An artist gives a final touch to a painting of actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, who died at the age of 87 after a prolonged illness in Mumbai on Friday. , Photo Credit: Annie

Mumbai

The mortal remains of actor and director Manoj Kumar, who are known for his patriotic roles, were taken for his funeral on 5 April, 2025, with full state honors. The Great Padma Shri Awardee was given a grand tribute to celebrate the heritage leaving behind in Indian cinema. His coffin wrapped with Tricolor National Flag marked a proper farewell for “Bharat Kumar” of Indian cinema.

Family members and close friends gathered at their residence to bid their last goodbye in Mumbai. The ambulance carrying his body was also adorned with garlands and flowers in the slant, which was a symbol of his patriotism in cinema. Manoj Kumar’s wife was also one of the family members who participated in the state honor of the late mythical actor. Padma Shri Awardee and President of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Seva Dal, Dr. Jitendra Singh Shanti also attended the funeral.

Talking to Annie, Dr. Shanti praised Kumar’s unwavering patriotism and powerful messages through his films. “The message he gave through his films cannot make Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, Shaheed-e-Azam, Roti Capada and Maken, or noise.” Since childhood, “Dr. Shanti said. He also reflected the individual relationship shared with the actor, “It was a father-son relationship with him, and also with a friend’s relationship. In Kovid, he gave me a lot of courage, that Shanti, be afraid, fear, do not serve, scare, bravely, and like Bhogat Singh, he would miss anything for the country.

Harikrishna Goswami, born Harikrishna Goswami in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan) on July 24, 1937, became one of the most prestigious actors in the history of Indian cinema. His depiction of strong, patriotic characters gave him a affectionate title of “Bharat Kumar”. His films, such as Upakas (1967), Purba and Paschim (1970), and Shaheed (1965), became the landmark productions, who defined nationalist cinema in India. Kumar’s influence was not limited to acting. As a director and producer, he contributed significantly to the Indian film industry. The beginning of his direction, ‘Cess’, won the National Film Award for the second Best Feature Film, and his other films, such as ‘Purba Aur Paschim’ and ‘Roti Capaah Aur Maken’ (1974), were both serious and commercially successful. He earned prestigious awards, such as Padma Shri (1992) and Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2015).

Kumar’s death on April 4, 2025, at the age of 87, sent shockwaves across India, with the same tribute to political leaders, film industry stallwarts and fans. Prime Minister Narendra Modi saw Kumar as a “icon of Indian cinema” to inspire national pride through his films. Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, and other dignitaries also expressed their heartfelt condolences, recognizing Kumar’s unique contribution to the country’s cinematic and cultural heritage.