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Manoj Kumar’s death has left a deep void in India, with an outpouring of grief pouring in from all corners, including Bollywood and the TV industry.
Manoj Kumar passes away at the age of 87. (Photo Credit: X)
Manoj Kumar, the legendary actor, left for the heavenly abode on April 4. Known for his path-breaking performances in several patriotic films, he passed away at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital due to heart complications, leaving behind a legacy in Hindi cinema. His death has left a deep void in India, with an outpouring of grief pouring in from all corners, including Bollywood and the TV industry. Among all, actor Rajesh Kumar, known for his performance in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai, also mourned the demise of the iconic actor.
Talking to Pinkvilla, Rajesh recalled his first meeting with Manoj Kumar during his college days and shared, “Manoj, sir was my college senior, thus, we had the opportunity to talk to him. My first meeting with him was when I visited Mumbai in 1999-2000.” He added, “There was a filmy party going on, and I had the opportunity to visit it. The first table I noticed was Manoj Kumar Sahab’s. I approached him and said, ‘Sir, I’m new to this industry. Do you have any advice for me?”
To this, Rajesh stated that the late actor replied by citing a quote from Bhagavad Gita and said, “Karmanye vadhikaraste ma phaleshu kadachana, ma karma phala hetur bhur ma te sangostvakarmanni’ – which means – ‘Keep on doing what work you have come here for, and the result will happen’.”
Recalling a meeting with Manoj Kumar during his college days, Rajesh further added, “When we met at our college alumni association, I sat down with him and we had a wonderful conversation. He had already seen my work in Sarabhai vs Sarabhai and was impressed with it.”
Speaking about the demise of the Upkar actor, Rajesh asserted, “It feels like a personal loss to me. Unfortunately, I am not in Mumbai to bid him farewell. However, he lived his life as a king. He made some wonderful films that shaped the country named Bharat and that’s how he was known as Bharat Kumar.” He concluded saying, “As the title Bharat suggests, it is composed of Bhau, Raag, and Taal. All three of them were Manoj Kumar Sahab’s. It stayed with him forever and will remain with future generations. Jai Hind to him. My condolences to his family and Dher Saara Naman.”
Manoj Kumar’s last on-screen appearance was in the 1995 film Maidan-E-Jung.
