Manoj Kumar: Ten of the best

BOLLYWOOD legend Manoj Kumar rose up from bum­ble beginnings to become a popular actor and massively successful filmmaker.

Born Harikishan Giri Goswami, he starred in a number of classics that are regarded as some of the finest films ever made in India. He was awarded Indian cinema’s highest honour the Dada Saheb Phalke award in 2015.

This week he will be celebrating his 81st birthday on July 24 and will no doubt receive warm wishes from around the world. Eastern Eye decided to celebrate by listing 10 of his films we think everyone should revisit...

Woh Kaun Thi (1964): The great ghost story is most fa­mous for perhaps Bollywood’s finest ever love song Lag Ja Gale. The spooky tale sees Manoj play a man who starts to fall for a woman who might be a ghost. The beautifully-shot blockbuster also includes a stand-out performance from leading lady Sadhana.

Himalay Ki God Mein (1965): The interesting drama won the Filmfare Award for Best Film. The actor plays a kind-hearted doctor who returns to a remote village to help the poor and in the process he unexpectedly finds love. Apart from being an interesting structured story, there was also a great message about making a positive difference.

Shaheed (1965): The National Award-winning film was a game-changer for Indian cinema and for the actor himself. The true-life tale sees Manoj play legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, who makes the ultimate sacrifice for his country. The film included the iconic song Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna, which was written by leg­endary poet and freedom fighter Bismil Azimabadi.

Upkar (1967): The mul­ti-talented star wrote, di­rected and played the lead role in the award-winning film that was the biggest hit of that year and major turning point for him. He plays Bharat, a villager who makes sac­rifices to educate his brother abroad and then goes to war for his coun­try. The film gained the highest honours and helped start a successful filmmaking journey.

Purab Aur Paschim (1970): The actor would once again play a charac­ter named Bharat in this drama, which he also wrote, directed and pro­duced. The story revolves around a patriotic man who reconnects Indians living a very westernised life in London to their roots. The idea of Indians being proud of their culture would be copied nu­merous times in subsequent decades.

Shor (1972): The deeply-emotional drama revolves around a widowed father who will do whatever it takes to help his son, who can’t speak, regain his voice. The story includes the beautifully-crafted song Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai, which still tugs at the heartstrings today.

Be-Imaan (1972): The drama about a poor, honest man unexpectedly pushed to the wrong side of the law won the Filmfare Best Movie and a Best Actor honour for Manoj. The movie was such a success that it was remade in Tamil as En Magan shortly after.

Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974): Manoj Kumar wrote, directed, produced and played the lead role in the social drama, which was the biggest Bollywood hit of 1974. He would win a Filmfare Best Director award for the film, which once again saw him play an honest man named Bharat. The film revolving around the hardships every­day folk face connected with the masses.

Dus Numbri (1976): The biggest hit of 1976 saw him play a feared vigilan­te and the theme of fight­ing back against an un­forgiving system con­nected with the youth. Unlike many of his more serious social dramas, this was an escapist masala entertainer.

Kranti (1981): The last great film from the Bollywood legend was a multi-star­rer boasting an all-star cast that also included Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Hema Malini, Parveen Babi and his own personal hero Dilip Kumar. The 19th centu­ry-set cult classic revolved around freedom fighters who were battling against the British Raj.