Legendary Actor-Director Manoj Kumar Passes Away at 87 in Mumbai

The Padma Shri award-winning director and actor Manoj Kumar passed away at age 87 during the early morning of Thursday at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. The public referred to him as Bharat Kumar because of his patriotic film projects which generated massive admiration among fans. His passing marks an era-ending moment in Bollywood, though his nationalistic cinematic impact still influences the industry today.

Multiple sources indicate Kumar spent weeks in hospital treatment for age-related health complications until he passed peacefully at 3:30 AM. His son, Kunal Goswami, confirmed the news, stating, "He had health-related issues for a long time. It’s by the grace of God that he bid adieu to this world peacefully." Kumar’s cousin, Manish R. Goswami, echoed the sentiment, noting, "This is sad news for the entire country. The era of making movies on patriotism has ended."

Manoj Kumar was born in 1937 in Abbottabad (now Pakistan). Later his family moved to Delhi after the Partition. His film career started with the movie Fashion (1957) and reached its pinnacle with patriotic productions such as Shaheed (1965), Upkar (1967), Purab Aur Paschim (1970), and Kranti (1981), which solidified his reputation as a popular figure. The storytelling efforts of Kumar as a writer and director enabled him to build strong relationships with audiences while triggering their patriotic emotions. He received multiple prestigious awards for his work which included both a National Film Award alongside the Padma Shri in 1992.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed sadness about the death of Shri Manoj Kumar. The actor served as an idol within Indian cinema while his patriotic love emerged powerfully through his filmic work. Through his works, he will continue inspiring future generations. Industry leader and businessman Anand Mahindra expressed his sorrow by stating, "I feel like I’ve lost an important part of my childhood."

His cinematic works have produced a portrait of an artist who carved beyond entertainment to become part of India's cultural heritage. The void left by Manoj Kumar's death remains permanent, yet his lasting legacy as "Bharat Kumar" continues to boost patriotism and national pride across several years.