When Manoj Kumar filed a case against Shah Rukh Khan against the scene of ‘Om Shanti Om’

Shahrukh Khan in ‘Om Shanti Om’; Manoj Kumar | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Patriotic and romantic heroes of many films of the 1960s and 70s filed a defamation case against superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan. Om Shanti Om,

Kumar, who died on Tuesday due to issues related to age, was upset with a scene in Farah Khan-directed film, showing samos by stallwarts of several industries including Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra.

The scene sees Shah Rukh’s character, copying Kumar’s famous palm at the behest of the face, which is to enter the premiere of the film characterized by Shanti Priya played by Deepika Padukone.

In the film, when the real Manoj Kumar turns to the premiere, he gets away from the guard.

Kumar had expressed his displeasure over the scene and requested the producers to remove the scene from the film. He went to a civil court, who ordered the manufacturers to remove objectionable scenes before the satellite screening.

Shahrukh personally apologized to the cinema veteran and the scene was cut off from the film.

But the matter did not end there.

The scene was revived in a print of the film, when it was released in Japan after six years, inspired Kumar to file a case against Shah Rukh Khan and production banner Eros International in April 2013.

“The film was released in Japan without removing those scenes. I had forgiven them twice, but not this time. They have disrespect me. They also face contempt of court because in 2008 the court asked him all prints and broadcasting materials in 2008, removing those scenes,” Manoj Kumar told PTI.

He said, “I have no personal struggle with Shah Rukh Khan. He is a good person, but when it comes to my self-esteem, I cannot compromise on it,” he said.

Commenting on the matter, Shah Rukh had said, “I do not know much about it … very honestly I personally apologized to him. My honor goes to all the actors who are big and small for me. The distributors have made a real mistake … Old print has been sent (for Japan). Kumar later withdrew the case.