New Delhi: Veteran actor-director Manoj Kumar, also known among his fans as Bharat Kumar breathed his last at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai on Friday morning. He was 87 years old.
Known for his patriotic films, Manoj Kumar died on April 4, 2025 at around 4:03 pm, according to ANI. His death was attributed to cardiogenic shock after an acute infarction. Additionally, he was struggling with disintegrated liver cirrhosis for several months, which contributed to his deteriorating health.
His son told Annie, “It is God’s grace to bid peacefully for this world. His cremation will be held tomorrow.”
#Watch Veteran actor Manoj Kumar died almost AM at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital this morning.
His son, Kunal Goswami says, “… He had long health related issues. It is God’s grace that he bid this world peacefully. … pic.twitter.com/ldsttocmm– Annie (@ani) 4 April, 2025
Manoj Kumar’s last rites will take place on Saturday.
Filmmaker Ashok Pandit mourned his Damesi and said, “It is sad to inform you all that the great Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner, Dion of the Indian Film Industry, Mr. Manoj Kumar ji and not. The whole industry will miss him.
#Watch Mumbai | On the death of Indian actor and film director Manoj Kumar, filmmaker Ashok Pandit says, “… The Legend Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner, our inspiration and ‘Sher’ of Indian film industry, Manoj Kumar ji and not … It is not a lot of loss for the industry … pic.twitter.com/vwl7fri44d– Annie (@ani) 4 April, 2025
On July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan), Manoj Kumar started her performance with the fashion brand (1957), followed by Sahara (1958), Chand (1959) and Honeymoon (1960) born by Harikrishna Goswami. However, he got his first major role in glass Gudia (1961).
The first major commercial success was in 1962 with Vijay Bhatt’s greenery and Rasta with Mala Sinha, followed by marriage (1962), Dr. Vidya (1962) and customer (1963).
He rose stardom with Raj Khosla’s 1964 mystery thriller Woh Coun Thi.
His performance by patriotic characters in films like Cess, Purba and Paschim and Shaheed made him a national icon, giving him the nickname ‘Bharat Kumar’.
He was the recipient of a National Film Award and Seven Filmfare Awards in various categories. He was awarded the Padma Shri and Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1992; The highest award in the field of cinema in 2015 for his contribution to Indian cinema and art.
