Yesteryear actor Manoj Kumar returns to limelight with special screening of Shaheed
Starting with a littlenoticed film Fashion in 1957, Manoj soon emerged as silver screen's chocolate hero. His films like Himalay Ki God Mein opposite Mala Sinha and Woh Kaun Thi? were some of his most memorable successful romantic films.
Manoj Kumar will always be India's one and only patriotic hero who gave up his mainstream romantic image to make films on nationalism.
At 76, the Padma Shri actor returns to the limelight with a special screening of his 1965-hit film Shaheed, based on the life of Bhagat Singh on the martyr's death anniversary, March 23.
Born as Harikrishna Giri Goswami, he and his family battled the partition turmoil and settled in refugee camps. "I admired our national heroes and dreamt of playing Bhagat Singh," says Manoj Kumar who got so kicked by Dilip Kumar's character Manoj in Shabnam that he rechristened himself as Manoj Kumar and decided to entered films.
Starting with a littlenoticed film Fashion in 1957, Manoj Kumar soon emerged as silver screen's chocolate hero. His films like Himalay Ki God Mein opposite Mala Sinha and Woh Kaun Thi? were some of his most memorable successful romantic films.
"The influence of films on people has always been huge, so, I decided to make films which fulfilled my patriotic fervor," says Manoj, Yesteryear actor Manoj Kumar will hold a special screening of 1965-hit Shaheed, based on Bhagat Singh's life, on the martyr's death anniversary. on his decision to take a break from his lover boy image and begin with making a patriotic film on Bhagat Singh.
It also marked the beginning of his brand of films replete with patriotism and high on social message. Films like Upkaar (1967), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1972), Dus Numbri (1976) and super hit mega-starrer Kranti (1981) were the subsequent offerings by Mr Bharat, a sobriquet enjoyed by him.
Making rare appearances at public functions or film parties, Manoj Kumar now spends a quiet life with his wife Shashi and grand-children. "I take out time to mingle with my grand children," says Manoj who still spends most of his time writing stories on society.