New Delhi: Legendary actor-filmmaker Manoj Kumar passed away at the age of 87 on Friday morning at Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. Veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha conveyed his sadness at the news. In an emotional tribute, Sinha reflected on her experience working with Kumar, paying respect to his kindness, professionalism, and the personal connection they had, as well as their longstanding partnership on and off screen.
In a touching recollection, Shatrughan Sinha, whose Mumbai mansion is renowned as Ramayan, recounted how Manoj Kumar cherished his company. The 78-year-old actor reminisced, “Wo mujhe Ramayan-vasi kehte thhe,” showcasing the fun camaraderie they enjoyed.
Their friendship went much beyond their work together on Manoj Kumar’s directorial features ‘Kranti’ (1981) and ‘Santosh (1989)’. Manoj Kumar was especially fond of Sinha’s wife Poonam’s cooking, and Sinha said that they often swapped home-cooked dinners.
Shatrughan Sinha remembered, “Humare ghar se unke liye khana bhi jata tha, aur wo hass kar bolte thhe ki ‘behna ko bolo’ ki khana bhejo. Bohot milansar insaan thhe wo.”
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In Shatrughan Sinha’s recollections of their time together on ‘Kranti’, Manoj Kumar came across as an easygoing and sympathetic filmmaker. “Main late lateefi ke liye mashhoor tha ya badnaam tha par Manoj ji ne kabhi mujhe kuch nahi kaha,” Sinha said.
The actor added, “He used to say to me, ‘Ramayanvaasi, tumhe pura freedom hai. Jab aana hai aao. In jest, I used to call him the Tooty Fruity ice cream of the industry. All in one! Be it writing, directing, editing or acting, he was perfect!”
Manoj Kumar’s Legacy in Indian Cinema
Manoj Kumar’s name became synonymous with patriotism in Bollywood, earning him the title of “Bharat Kumar”. His depiction of Bhagat Singh in Shaheed was only one of several films in which he played powerful nationalist figures, inspiring generations of viewers. His contribution to Indian cinema is unsurpassed, and his works continue to inspire and provide national pride.
With his passing, India has lost not just a cinematic legend but also an artist who brought history to life on screen. His legacy, however, lives on through films like Shaheed, ensuring that his impact on Indian cinema remains eternal.
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