New Delhi:
Veteran actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, who was remembered as “Bharat Kumar”, died on Friday morning at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai.
Following the news of his death, Shah Rukh Khan paid tribute to the mythological figure on X (East Twitter). Considering the type of cinema Kumar, SRK wrote, “Manoj Kumar ji made films, which uplifted our country, our cinema, and focused on unity with unmatched honesty. A legend in every way.
Manoj Kumar ji made films, which uplifted our country, our cinema, and focused on unity with unmatched honesty. A legend in every sense. His films shaped an era and left an impression on our cinema. Thank you sir. You will always be ‘Bharat’ for us.
– Shahrukh Khan (@IAMSRK) 4 April, 2025
Interestingly, Shah Rukh and Manoj Kumar had a previous moment of dating back in 2007, the year Om Shanti Om – Farah Khan’s retro -lovers – hit theater. While the film marked the beginning of Deepika Padukone and attracted focus on a large scale, a specific Spou off did not sit well with Kumar.
The scene of the question featured SRK’s character, Om Prakash Makhija, who was trying to enter a film premiere using a pass for Manoj Kumar. Bit joked at the prestigious hand-over-firhed gesture of the veteran, causing a comedic sequence, where security fails to identify him.
Manoj Kumar found the depiction of derogatory and asked the film’s makers to remove the scene. The team complied. At that time, Shah Rukh Khan expressed regret over the matter, saying, “I was completely wrong … If he is hurt, I apologize. I called him in the afternoon, and the first thing he told me, is’ it’s not a big thing, son.”
He added, “People do parodi … this is a task. I should have taken more care … I should have called him first (to tell him about Spoof).”
After this, Manoj Kumar’s legal representative, Mukesh Vashi commented, “Manoj Kumar is angry with a certain sequence in the film, and he asked me if any legal action is possible. However, I have not seen the film myself. So, I will be able to advise only after watching it.”
He said, “Manoj Kumar was made by the Indian audience in an icon … that icon has been injured, it has been mocked … A moral action is more important than a legal action.”
However, the case was ruled in 2013 when Om Shanti Om was re -released in Japan with a controversial scene. This time, Manoj Kumar filed a case against Shah Rukh Khan and Eros International and turned to the legal route. Despite the previous agreements, he demanded Rs 100 crore in compensation to include the scene in the international version.
His legal team argued, “He (Shah Rukh Khan) had earlier promised Manoj Kumar, but reiterated the mistake again in Japan … there was no personal apology by SRK … he is not in the mood of any settlement.”
Talking to the press at that time, Manoj Kumar did not withdraw his disappointment: “The film was released in Japan without removing those scenes. I forgive him twice, but not this time. He has humiliated me. They face contempt of court in 2008. The court asked him forever and all the prints and broadcasting materials, removing those scenes.”
Finally, after years of extending the matter, Manoj Kumar decided to leave the matter, stating that the legal battle did not create accountability he expected from Shah Rukh Khan or Farah Khan.
Born to Harikrishna Goswami in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan) on July 24, 1937, Manoj Kumar became a huge man in Indian cinema during the 1960s and 1970s. Known as “Bharat Kumar”, he was known for his stirring performance in patriotic films like Shaheed, Cess and Purba and Paschim.
Beyond acting, Manoj Kumar left an impression as a director and producer. His debut as a director with Cess (1967) earned the National Film Award for the second best feature film. He directed other acclaimed and successful films like Purba and Paschim (1970) and Roti Capada and House (1974).
