Manoj Kumar – the patriotic actor of bollywood
Manoj Kumar, better known as Bharat Kumar, was one of the most patriotic souls in bollywood who devoted his life towards the making of patriotic films. Born on 24th July, 1937, Harikishen Goswami, better known as Manoj Kumar, made his debut in the film Fashion in 1957. As he was obsessed towards Dilip Kumar, one of the greatest actor of bollywood and started keeping his name in the name of Manoj Kumar, the character played by Dilip Kumar in the film Shabnam.
He got recognition in Vijay Bhatt’s film Hariyali Aur Raasta, in 1962, opposite Mala Sinha, where the music of Shankar Jaikishan, became super hit and the film provided him stable place in bollywood. He got a notable role in Raj Khosla’s crime thriller “woh kaun thi” where the twin sister of his wife played by Sadhna was shown at different times to make him insane and he unfolded the truth on the death of the twin sister when everyone came to know that Sadhna was not ghost, but the villain Prem Chopra had used her to make Manoj Kumar insane and inherit the property according to the will created by his ancestors. It wasthe greatest horror film of that age and outstanding music of Madan Mohan had hypnotised the audience.
His next film directed by Vijay Bhatt titled Himalay Ki God Me, in 1965, was also successful. Manoj Kumar again acted in a suspense thriller titled Gumnam, where the members of dance club were hijacked and left in an island and the villain Tarun Bose went on killing one after the other. The music of Shankar Jaikishan was super hit with immortal songs of Lata titled “gumnam hai koi”, songs of Rafi titled “ek ladkine mera jina mushkil kar diya” and “o mere man”, etc. Also Mehmood’s song sung by Rafi, “hum kale hai to kya hua dilwale hai” amused the crowds.
From 1965, Manoj kumar associated himself with patriotic films and his film Shaheed based on the life of Bhagat Singh became very big hit with Rafi’s song “ay watan ay watan” creating patriotic passion in the minds of numerous Indians. Bhagat Singh had been remade in the recent years with Ajay Devgan and Bobby Deol playing the role that Manoj Kumar had played before. He was inspired by the slogan of Lal Bahadur Shastri, that is “jai jawan jai kisan” and made a film based on that subject titled Upkaar in 1967. the film showed the life of a farmer and also brought patriotic subject related to Indian army. Mahendra Kapoors’ song “mere desh ki dharti” became superhit and people identified Manoj Kumar as Bharat Kumar. Manoj Kumar received the film fare award for best direction for the film Upkaar.
Manoj Kumar’s other films like Aadmi, opposite Dilip Kumar, Patthar ke Sanam also became successful. Rafi’s title song in Patthar ke Sanam, astonished the listeners. He also acted in the film Do Badan, where music composed by Ravi and sung by Rafi, including “bhari duniya me”, etc., appealed to the crowd. Manoj Kumar continued with his patriotic films by either directing, or acting in films like Puram aur Paschim, Beimaan, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, Kranti, etc. Puram aur Paschim depicted the relationship of life of the eastern countries and western countries.He received the film fare award for the best actor in 1972 for performing in the film Beimaan.
He also acted in a number of crime thrillers like Anita and in the major number of these films he played the role of the doctor. In the 80s his film Kranti, which was based on the freedom movement of India became successful with Dilip kumar, Shatrughun Sinha also providing notable performances. His films should be restored for revisiting the freedom struggle movement of India and admiring his patriotic spirit displayed in several films.
5 comments:
Great piece of writing Mr. Souvik. Thanks for this special on Manoj "Bharat" Kumar. You have covered most of his films and his acting. e Mukesh and Rafi equally suited his disposition and LP utilised both the singers in Pathar Ke Sanam. There is one film though that was missing in the article - SAAJAN - where the title song SAAJAN SAAJAN PUKARUN and a duet -RESHAM KI DORI were picturised superbly. Also Rafi Sahab and Lata Mangeshkar rendered those songs so wonderfully. SHAHEED also other very goods songs - MERA RANG DE BASANTI CHOLA, PAGDI SAMBHAL JATTHA etc. But, I agree, the number AYE WATAN AYE WATAN was the nucleus of the story line. Manoj Kumar had his own acting skills which were amply displayed in DO BADAN which you have mentioned in any case. Certainly he ranks as one of the top heroes of his era.
In the film Upkaar, Manoj kumar had displayed the greatness of Mahatma Gandhi, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Nehru, Lal Bahadur Shastri in a neutral manner. He did not go into the controversy as who was greater. From heart he has always praised the great Indians who had sacrificed their lives for India's freedom and provide happiness for the next generations, in other words a better India.
Souvik Chatterji.
It goes to the credit of Manoj Kumar to have generated the patriotic feeling among Indians, much more than any politician or political party could do. Sure great national leaders like Sardar Patel, Gandhiji, Pt. Nehru, Indira Gandhi and ofcourse the martyrs Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Shivaji, Jhansi Lakshmibai and several others did instil the true patriotism amongst Indians. But if it were not for Manoj Kumar's efforts through his films SHAHEED, UPKAAR and PURAB AUR PASCHIM, etc., the patriotic fervor would have slowly melted down. Citizens of the country are fed up of the political parties and these films and the songs in them have kept up the feeling of being "Indian" alive rather than a Bengali or a Madrasi, etc. etc.
One of my friends in Rotterdam, Netherlands, Shri Shaym Dihalu is a great fan of Shri Manoj Kumar. He was born in Surinam and migrated to Netherlands in 1975. His mission is to get Nobel Prize to Mahatma Gandhi, posthomously. In case he succeeds in his mission, he would like to request Shri manoj Kumar to receive the award. he is frantically looking for the email address, telephone number of Shri manoj Kumar. Can some one help him in this endeavour? If yes kindly write to him at S.Dihalu@hotmail.com.
Thanks
Bhupendra Tomar
Mumbai
Same goes here. The address of Manoj Kumar. I know he is getting old but its high time he knows that I appreciate him
timeless_message@yhaoo.com
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