Many heroes came to cinema, many became superstars, but there was also an actor who lived patriotism on screen through films like Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. His name was Manoj Kumar. Patriotism was the reason people started forgetting his real name and began calling him by just one name, ‘Bharat Kumar’.
The passion, zeal, and pain seen in his films were not just acting. He himself heard the screams that arose from the India-Pakistan partition at the age of 10 and saw many lives lost. He saw his sick mother groaning in pain and his younger brother dying. There was no roof over their heads, no certainty about the future, and hope also began to fade, but who knew that the child who fled from Pakistan would become such an example of patriotism that everyone would recognise him more by the name Bharat Kumar than his real name.
Today is the birth anniversary of Manoj Kumar alias Bharat Kumar. He passed away in April 2025, but if he were alive today, he would have been 88 years old. On the occasion of his birth anniversary, know the story of how he emerged from the pain of partition to become the hero of the country-
Story- 1
Brother died in riots, doctors who didn’t treat him were beaten with sticks, body was thrown into Yamuna.
July 24, 1937
Harikrishna Giri Goswami, who later became known as Manoj Kumar, was born into a Punjabi Hindu family in Abbottabad, British India. The area where he was born became part of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan, after the partition.
Manoj Kumar was just 10 years old when the partition began after India gained independence from the British. Riots broke out, and to save their lives, Manoj Kumar’s family came to live in the Hudson Line Refugee Camp in Delhi. His younger brother, Kukku, was just 2 months old. He had been unwell since birth, and his mother was also sick. Amidst the riots, doctors were also struggling to save their own lives, and it was then that his brother died due to lack of proper treatment.
Recalling that childhood pain, Manoj Kumar said on Sansad TV’s show ‘Guftagoo’ – “That weeping childhood, separated from Lahore, separated from Abbottabad. It was a very weeping childhood; even today, when I think about it, though I might control my eyes, my heart cries. The crying of the heart is very terrible.”
I am the eldest, my younger sister is Lalita. When the partition happened, mother gave birth to a younger brother. His name was Kukku, he was sick, mother was also sick. We were in a refugee camp. Mother was admitted to Tis Hazari Hospital in Delhi. When the siren sounded, the doctors and nurses would go underground. My mother was suffering, my brother was suffering. Mother was screaming to call the doctor. They were all underground. Mother screamed, my brother Kukku was gone. I was angry. I took a stick and went underground. I hit the doctors, and I hit the nurses too. Father came, he took control.
The next day, that 2-month-old child was immersed in the Yamuna River, and as he went down, it felt as if I was drowning. Then, at night, father made me swear, with his hand on my head, that I would never indulge in riots or violence in life.
Finally, Manoj Kumar said in a tearful voice, “He whose childhood has died, consider that man himself dead.”
Even after his brother’s death, Manoj Kumar stayed in the refugee camp for 2 months, and after the situation improved, the family settled in Delhi. His father worked in a steel factory, but he was also a poet. When Manoj Kumar’s father was in 5th grade, Allama Iqbal, after hearing his poem, gave him the title of ‘Khizr’. When his work (kalam) was published, he received the Simran Award from the Maharashtra Urdu Academy.
Anecdote – 2
Seeing Dilip Kumar die in films, he considered him an angel, thinking – ‘I too will become an angel’.
Manoj Kumar’s education took place in Delhi. He was young when his maternal uncle often took him to watch films. By then, Dilip Kumar had become a star, whose films were often shown in cinemas. Manoj Kumar first watched Dilip Kumar’s 1947 film ‘Jugnu’, in which his character dies. Until then, Manoj Kumar did not know what cinema was. Some time later, he watched Dilip Kumar’s film ‘Shaheed’ (1948). In that too, Dilip Kumar was shown dying.
When Manoj Kumar returned home after watching the film, he didn’t sleep for a long time. He had only one thought in his mind: if that person had died a year ago (in the film Jugnu), how could he die again (in the film Shaheed)?
When his mother saw him awake, she asked, “Why aren’t you sleeping?”
Manoj Kumar said in an innocent voice, “Biji (as he called his mother), how many times does a man die?”
His mother replied, “Once.”
Manoj Kumar then said, “And what about someone who dies 2-3 times?”
His mother said, “He must be an angel.”
That day, Manoj Kumar decided that when he grew up, he too would become an angel.
Anecdote – 3
Arrived in Bombay after receiving a letter from his cousin, got work carrying luggage on set
As he grew older, Manoj Kumar solidified his dream of becoming a hero. He completed his studies at Hindu College, Delhi. Manoj Kumar’s cousin, Lekhraj Bhakri, was also associated with Hindi cinema. One day, when Manoj Kumar met Lekhraj, he looked at Manoj and immediately said, “You look like a hero.”
Manoj stood up upon hearing this and promptly said, “Then make me one.”
When Lekhraj started directing films, he remembered what Manoj had said. In 1956, he wrote a letter to Manoj’s family asking them to send him to Bombay. After his parents’ consent, Manoj reached Bombay and started living with his uncle and aunt. Lekhraj initially gave him the job of a set assistant, where he used to carry equipment related to shooting. After some time, due to his hard work, he started getting work as an assistant director.
Story – 4
In his first film, 19-year-old Manoj Kumar was made a 90-year-old beggar, even his girlfriend couldn’t recognise him.
Manoj Kumar’s cousin, Lekhraj, directed the 1957 film Fashion, starring Mala Sinha and Pradeep Kumar in lead roles. Manoj assisted him in this film. He was just 19 years old at the time. Before the shooting began, Manoj himself was made to stand in front of the camera for light testing. When no actor was found for a small role in this film, Lekhraj asked Manoj to do it. Manoj thought it would be a good role, but later found out that 19-year-old Manoj Kumar had been offered the role of a 90-year-old beggar. He accepted it too and became a beggar with the full getup.
By this time, Manoj Kumar liked Shashi, who studied with him in college in Delhi. Both wanted to marry each other. There was no telephone at home, so they would only talk when Manoj went to Delhi on vacation. When Manoj got work in the film Fashion, he couldn’t inform his family and girlfriend Shashi.
The film was released and Shashi went to watch it with her friends. She watched the entire film, but Manoj Kumar’s getup as a beggar was such that she couldn’t recognise him.
The role in the film ‘Fashion’ was small, but Manoj Kumar managed to leave a deep impression with a few minutes of acting. Later, he started getting small roles in films like Sahara, Chand, and Honeymoon. Story – 5
Name changed inspired by Dilip Kumar’s film
Manoj Kumar’s real name was Harikrishna Giri Goswami, however, when he started getting work in films, he changed his name. In his childhood, he had seen Dilip Kumar’s film ‘Shabnam’, in which his character’s name was Manoj Kumar. For films, he adopted the name Manoj Kumar. He was credited with this name in every film.
After doing small roles, Manoj Kumar was given the lead role in the film Kaanch Ki Gudiya (1960) due to his talent. He went on to do more films like Reshmi Rumal, Chand, Banarasi Thug, Grihasti, Apne Hue Paraye, Woh Kaun Thi, but he gained real recognition with the 1962 film Hariyali Aur Rasta.
Further, Shaadi (1962), Grihasti (1963), Phoolon Ki Sej (1964) included him among the top actors, after which Manoj Kumar became a star with the blockbuster film Woh Kaun Thi (1964). The songs of this film, ‘Lag Ja Gale’ and ‘Naina Barse Rimjhim’, are still very famous today.
After becoming a star, Manoj Kumar got to work with Dilip Kumar in the 1968 film Aadmi.
Anecdote – 6
Film made at the behest of Lal Bahadur Shastri
Manoj Kumar worked in the 1965 film Shaheed, which was based on Bhagat Singh. The film was a big hit and its songs ‘Ae Watan, Ae Watan Humko Teri Kasam’, ‘Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna’ and ‘O Mera Rang De Basanti Chola’ were much loved.
This film was so much liked by the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri that he advised Manoj Kumar to make a film on the slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kisan’. Following the advice, Manoj Kumar started making the film Upkar (1967) and also decided to direct it.
One day, Manoj Kumar bought a ticket for the Rajdhani train to go from Mumbai to Delhi and boarded the train. Sitting in the train, he wrote half the film, and the other half on his way back.
When Manoj Kumar announced that he was going to step into direction with the film Upkar, Raj Kapoor advised him in sharp words, either act or direct, because not everyone is Raj Kapoor, who can do everything at once.
Upkar, released in 1967, was the biggest film of that year. The film’s song ‘Mere Desh Ki Dharti Sona Ugle..’ is still considered one of the best patriotic songs. Manoj Kumar’s character in the film was named Bharat. Seeing the popularity of the film’s song, the media started calling Manoj Kumar ‘Bharat’, and then he came to be known as ‘Bharat Kumar’.
After the film became a hit, Raj Kapoor expressed regret over his earlier statement and told Manoj Kumar, “I used to think that I was my only competition, but now you have come to compete with me.”
Although the film was made at the behest of Lal Bahadur Shastri, unfortunately, he could not see it. In 1966, Shastri ji embarked on a trip to Tashkent, Uzbekistan. He would have watched the film Upkar after returning, but he died in Tashkent on January 11, 1966, the day after signing the peace treaty for the Indo-Pakistan War. The film was released on August 11, 1967, one year after his death. Manoj Kumar regretted for the rest of his life not being able to show the film to Lal Bahadur Shastri.
Story – 7
Opposed the Emergency, films were banned
Manoj Kumar had good relations with the then Prime Minister Sonia Gandhi, but when the Emergency was declared, Manoj Kumar strongly opposed it. Films of many stars who protested were banned, including Manoj Kumar’s films. His film ‘Dus Numbri’ was banned by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, and the film ‘Shor’ was shown on Doordarshan 2 weeks before its theatrical release. When the film was released in theaters, it flopped.
Anecdote – 8
Refused to make a film on the Emergency, told Amrita Pritam – “Have you been bought?”
A few days later, Manoj Kumar received a call from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, asking if he would direct a documentary being made on the Emergency. Manoj flatly refused. When he learned that the documentary was being written by the famous writer Amrita Pritam, he immediately called Amrita Pritam and asked if she had sold out. Hearing Manoj’s words, Amrita Pritam also became sad. He further told Amrita that she should tear up the script of this documentary.
Anecdote – 9
Dilip Kumar faced an obstacle during the shooting of Kranti, so the shooting was stopped.
After Upkar, Manoj Kumar made several superhit films like Purab Aur Paschim, Shor, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. When Manoj Kumar made Kranti (1981), he cast Dilip Kumar in it. The same Dilip Kumar, who was his inspiration for entering films. This was a time when Dilip Kumar had not done any film for 4 years, yet he agreed. It was a mega-budget film.
For a scene in the film, Dilip Kumar was to be presented in the royal court wearing iron chains. There were repeated takes, but Dilip Kumar couldn’t give the right shot in the heavy chains. At one point, Dilip Sahab got frustrated and told director Manoj Kumar, “You have made me wear these chain-like jewels; their weight is coming on my body. First, get them lightened. The era when we used to act with 15 kg weight is gone.” Hearing this, Manoj Kumar immediately stopped the shooting. He had rubber chains made and painted them in such a way that they looked real. Dilip Sahab then shot with those light chains.
Anecdote 10
The film Kranti, after which clothes started selling
It became the biggest hit of that year and also India’s highest-grossing film after Sholay. It ran for more than 25 weeks in 26 centers across the country. The film also celebrated its silver jubilee in Mirzapur (Uttar Pradesh) and Junagadh (Gujarat), where no film usually lasted.
This film ran in cinemas for about one and a half years and was housefull for 96 days. The craze for the film was such that T-shirts, shirts, jackets, and even undergarments with the film’s poster started selling in Delhi, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, and Haryana.
Despite his sister’s death, Pran arrived on Manoj Kumar’s set the next day.
In the 1966 film ‘Do Badan’, Manoj Kumar worked with Pran for the first time, and they became friends. Pran, the famous villain of films, always got negative roles. To change his image, Manoj Kumar gave him a positive role in his film ‘Aah’. This film flopped, and people disliked Pran. But Manoj Kumar did not give up then either. At the same time, Manoj was working on the film ‘Upkar’. He decided to give him the positive role of Malang Baba in this film. In this regard, they met.
Manoj Kumar – Will you play the role of Malang Baba in my film?
Pran replied – Pandit ji, bring the script, let me read it.
He used to call Manoj Kumar ‘Pandit ji’. After reading the script, he said, “Pandit, both the film’s script and the character of Malang are very beautiful, but think about it once, because my image is that of a fierce, drunkard, gambler, and rapist. Will the audience be able to accept me in the role of a holy man?”
Manoj Kumar, firm in his resolve, gave him that role and started shooting. Pran Sahab was extremely punctual. One day when he arrived on set, Manoj Kumar felt that he was ill.
He went closer and asked – “Are you feeling alright?”
The reply was – “Yes, I am perfectly fine.”
That day, both of them shot action scenes. When the pack-up happened, Manoj again noticed that Pran Sahab didn’t look quite right.
He immediately went to the makeup room and said – “You are hiding something. You don’t look well to me today. If there’s something, please tell me.”
In response, Pran Sahab said – “No, nothing, actually, my elder sister suddenly passed away last evening. Because of that, I couldn’t sleep all night.”
Hearing this, Manoj Kumar was stunned that even after losing his beloved elder sister, he reached the set.
Manoj then said- If there was something like that, why didn’t you call and tell me, I would have canceled today’s shoot.
The reply was- I absolutely did not want your film’s schedule to be disrupted because of me. Anyway, you have gathered so many artists together with great difficulty. The film should not suffer any kind of loss because of me.
After this, their friendship deepened with every film. When Manoj Kumar heard the news of Pran Sahab’s demise on July 12, 2013, he went into shock. He locked himself in a room and stopped talking. For many days, Manoj Kumar neither met anyone nor spoke anything.
Anecdote- 12
Filed a defamation case of 100 crores against Shah Rukh Khan
In a scene from the 2007 film Om Shanti Om, Shah Rukh Khan mimicked Manoj Kumar. While mimicking Manoj Kumar, he also did his signature pose, in which he would bring his hands in front of his face.
Seeing himself being made fun of in the film, Manoj Kumar became so angry that he filed a defamation suit of 100 crore rupees against Shah Rukh Khan and Eros. Seeing the matter escalate, Shah Rukh Khan apologized to Manoj Kumar via email. Manoj Kumar forgave Shah Rukh, and the court also ordered the filmmakers to remove that scene from the film.
Even when the film was released in Japan after India, that scene was not removed. Angered by this, Manoj had said, “I will never forgive Shah Rukh, he has insulted me and the court’s order.” However, with time, this matter has ended. Let it be known that this matter was settled out of court.
