Greater Noida (National Desk): Renowned Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar died on Friday at the age of 87 due to cardiac complications. He breathed his last at 3.30 am today at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai.
Manoj Kumar was the star of Indian cinema who not only made the countrymen aware through his acting and films, but also defined a new kind of nationalism. His films became symbols of patriotism, social issues and morality. Manoj Kumar presented the image of an idealistic hero in Indian cinema. His hero had immense love for the country and family, who never backed down from standing against social injustice, corruption and unemployment. In the 1960s and 1970s, he raised his voice against the evils prevalent in the society through films and this voice went out of the cinema screen and started resonating in millions of hearts.
Memories of Partition and the spirit of nationalism
Manoj Kumar was born in 1937 in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan). During Partition he faced a personal tragedy in which he lost his younger brother. This incident was one of the major events that influenced his films and thinking. Through his films, he showed the importance of nationalism and unity and gave the message that we are all one, no matter where we come from.
Making the country aware through cinema
His films like “Upkar” (1967) and “Purab Aur Paschim” (1970) are still considered an important part of Indian cinema. Through these films, he presented village-city, East-West and cultural conflict in a natural way. Especially in the film “Upkar”, he showed how an ordinary person is ready to sacrifice himself for his country. His dialogue, “If every youth goes out of the village, then who will take care of the hunger of the country?” still resonates in the hearts of people. Manoj Kumar’s film songs were not only a part of his films but they also conveyed a message directly. Songs like “Mere Desh Ki Dharti Sona Ugle” and “Bharat Ka Rahen Wala Hoon” became an inspiration not only in India but all over the world. These songs made people feel true love and respect for their motherland.
Relationship with national leadership
Manoj Kumar also inspired the leaders of his country through films. Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri appreciated his work when he showed the valor of Bhagat Singh with the film “Shaheed” (1965). At the same time, when Indira Gandhi raised her voice on the issue of unemployment and inflation during the Emergency, it was an opportunity for Manoj Kumar, where he raised these issues through his film “Roti Kapda Aur Makaan”. The characters played by Manoj Kumar, whether it was in “Upkaar” or “Shor”, were able to bring out the real problems of the society. There was a deep understanding and sensitivity in his acting, which enabled him to bring every character alive. He not only portrayed male heroes in the film, but also strengthened the role of women and gave them a new identity.
Last days and entry into politics
By the 1980s, Manoj Kumar’s film career began to slow down. His films lost the connection with the audience that they had earlier. Despite this, his stature in the cinema world always remained intact. He entered politics by joining the Bharatiya Janata Party in 2004 and supported Narendra Modi in 2014.
Legacy: The message of Mr. India
Manoj Kumar’s life is an example of how an artist can’t only entertain through his medium, but can also change the direction of society and the country. The example of patriotism and morality given in his films has left an indelible mark on Indian cinema even today. His identity as Mr. India will live on for centuries. Manoj Kumar was not only an actor and filmmaker, but he gave a new direction to Indian cinema, in which important things like patriotism, morality and betterment of society were hidden.
