Legendary Bollywood actor and director Manoj Kumar has passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai, India’s financial capital. Santosh Shetty from Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, where Kumar was receiving treatment, confirmed his death, attributing it to “age-related health issues.”
His son, Kunal Goswami, informed the ANI news agency that the veteran actor had been struggling with health problems for an extended period.
Kumar, known for his patriotic films, rose to fame in the 1960s and 1970s and left a lasting impact on Indian cinema. His remarkable body of work shaped the landscape of the industry, with films like Shaheed, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, and Kranti becoming iconic for their nationalistic themes.
Born Harikrishan Goswami in 1937 in Punjab, Kumar’s movies resonated deeply with Indian audiences, fostering a sense of pride and unity. Throughout his illustrious career, he received numerous prestigious honors, including the Padma Shri, India’s fourth-highest civilian award, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the country’s highest film honor.
Following his passing, tributes poured in across social media. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised him as an “icon of Indian cinema,” writing on X, “Manoj Ji’s works ignited a spirit of national pride and will continue to inspire generations.”
Filmmaker Ashoke Pandit also expressed his sorrow, calling Kumar’s passing “a great loss to the film industry” and emphasizing that “the entire industry will miss him.”
