Manoj Kumar, the celebrated Indian actor and filmmaker best known for his iconic roles in patriotic films, died early Friday morning in Mumbai. He was 87.
Mr. Kumar had been admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where he passed away at 3:30 a.m. due to heart-related complications, according to a statement issued by the hospital. The secondary cause of death was listed as decompensated liver cirrhosis.
Often called “Bharat Kumar” for his deeply nationalistic on-screen persona, Mr. Kumar rose to prominence with films such as Shaheed (1965), Upkaar (1967), Purab Aur Paschim (1970), and Kranti (1981). His work left an indelible mark on Indian cinema, especially during an era when Bollywood was still defining its identity in post-independence India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, calling Mr. Kumar “an icon of Indian cinema.” In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Mr. Modi wrote: “He was particularly remembered for his patriotic zeal, which was also reflected in his films. Manoj Ji’s works ignited a spirit of national pride and will continue to inspire generations. My thoughts are with his family and admirers in this hour of grief. Om Shanti.”
Mr. Kumar, born Harikrishna Goswami in Abbottabad—then part of British India and now in KP, Pakistan—began his film career in 1957 with Fashion. His breakthrough came with Kaanch Ki Gudiya in 1961, and his suspense thriller Gumnaam (1965) became one of the top-grossing films of that year. That same year, he starred in Shaheed, based on the life of Indian freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
His directorial debut came with Upkaar, inspired by Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s call for “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.” The film earned him the Filmfare Award for Best Director in 1975 for Roti Kapda Aur Makaan.
In recognition of his contributions to Indian cinema, Mr. Kumar received the Padma Shri in 1992, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India’s highest honor in cinema, in 2015.
His son, Kunal Goswami, told the news agency ANI that Mr. Kumar had been battling health issues for some time. “It’s the grace of God that he bid adieu to this world peacefully,” Mr. Goswami said. The cremation is scheduled for Saturday morning.
In 2004, ahead of India’s general elections, Mr. Kumar officially joined the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Though he gradually stepped away from acting, his legacy remains deeply etched in the cultural memory of India. Through his films, Manoj Kumar not only entertained millions but also helped shape a vision of patriotism that resonated with generations of moviegoers.
