Renowned actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, fondly known as 'Bharat Kumar', passed away at the age of 87 on Friday.
The actor, celebrated for his patriotic films, reportedly breathed his last at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital after battling a prolonged illness.
Reportedly, the medical reports reveal that Manoj Kumar's death was caused by cardiogenic shock resulting from an acute myocardial infarction, a severe heart attack. The reports also indicated that he had been struggling with decompensated liver cirrhosis in recent months, which had worsened his health.
The legendary actor was admitted to the hospital on February 21, 2025, when his health deteriorated.
"He is out of his misery now," the filmmaker's son Kunal told PTI, adding that his father had been battling multiple health issues and was bedridden for the last few years. He said, "We thank them for that. They loved him a lot. There was a lot of pain. But he passed away peacefully. No, sir. When organs fail, there are a lot of pains. You can't keep your fingers on anything. But ultimately, I think it was more towards the heart. It went towards it. So, there is a way to go. Everyone has to go. So, there is pain. But he passed away peacefully. I am thankful to God for that. "
The actor's cousin, Manish R Goswami, also expressed his sorrow and said, "This is sad news for the entire country. The era of making movies on patriotism has ended today. This is the end of an era of a true Indian and true patriotism."
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit confirmed the news, paying tribute to the legendary star. In a video statement posted by ANI, he said, "The legendary Dadasaheb Phalke award winner, our inspiration and the 'lion' of the Indian film industry, Manoj Kumar Ji is no more. It is a great loss to the industry, and the entire film fraternity will miss him."
A stalwart of Indian cinema, Manoj Kumar was known for his iconic roles n films that evoked deep patriotic fervour. His notable works include Shaheed (1965), Upkar (1967), Purab Aur Paschim (1970), and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), all of which left an indelible mark on Hindi cinema.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday paid rich tributes to noted actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, lauding him as an icon of Indian cinema. PM Modi said on X, "Deeply saddened by the passing of legendary actor and filmmaker Shri Manoj Kumar Ji. He was an icon of Indian cinema, who was particularly remembered for his patriotic zeal, which was also reflected in his films." Modi said Kumar's films ignited a spirit of national pride and will continue to inspire generations.
Prominent figures from the film industry, including Aamir Khan, Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn, Manoj Bajpayee, and filmmaker Karan Johar, paid heartfelt tributes to legendary actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumar, who passed away in the early hours of Friday. Known for his patriotic themes and socially relevant cinema, Kumar, whose films dominated the box office in the late 1960s and 1970s, breathed his last at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital at around 3:30 am due to age-related ailments.
Aamir Khan expressed his condolences, describing Kumar as an "institution" in himself. "Manoj Kumar was not just an actor and filmmaker; he was a school of thought. I have learned so much from his films. His cinema often revolved around crucial social themes, making him deeply relatable to the common man. My heartfelt condolences to his family," Aamir said in a statement.
Akshay Kumar hailed the veteran star as one of Bollywood's greatest assets. "I grew up learning from him that there’s no emotion greater than love and pride for our country. And if we actors don’t take the lead in expressing this emotion, who will? Such a fine human being and an invaluable part of our fraternity. RIP Manoj Sir. Om Shanti," he shared on X.
Ajay Devgn reminisced about Kumar’s pivotal role in his family’s cinematic journey, recalling how the late actor gave his father, Veeru Devgan, his first break as an action director in
Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. "From there, their collaboration continued through
Kranti, creating moments that are now a part of Indian cinema’s golden history," Devgn said.
Sharing a photo of the late actor, Farhan Akhtar said, “Woh kaun thi, Gumnaam, Shaheed, Upkar, Purab aur Paschim, Kranti.. the list goes on and on .. thank you for the entertainment and for inspiring generations that followed you. RIP Manoj Kumar ji.”
Kareena Kapoor also took to her Instagram stories to mourn the sad demise of Manoj Kumar, who was affectionately known as 'Bharat Kumar' for his patriotic roles.
Born Harikrishan Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Amritsar, Punjab, Manoj Kumar carved a niche for himself in Hindi cinema.
His iconic roles in films like Shaheed, Upkar, and Rang De Basanti resonated deeply with the patriotic sentiments of the Indian public.
Throughout his career, Kumar became known for both his acting and direction in films that focused on national pride and the spirit of unity.
Kumar's contributions to Indian cinema earned him several prestigious accolades, including a National Film Award and seven Filmfare Awards in different categories.
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