Legendary Indian actor Manoj Kumar passes away

MumbaiL Veteran actor Manoj Kumar of the Bollywood industry has passed away at the age of 87.

According to Indian media, actor Manoj Kumar, known for his roles in patriotic films like Purab Pachham and Kranti, was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai, where he died at 3:30am on Friday due to heart complications.

According to the medical certificate issued by the hospital, the secondary cause of death was liver failure. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shared the news of the death of the 'legendary actor and filmmaker' on social media.

Sharing two pictures with the senior actor, Modi wrote, ‘Deeply saddened by the demise of legendary actor and filmmaker Shri Manoj Kumar ji. He was an icon of Indian cinema, who was especially remembered for his patriotic spirit, which was also reflected in his films. Manoj's works have inspired national pride and determination and will continue to inspire generations. My thoughts are with his family and fans at this time’.

Manoj Kumar's son Kunal Goswami told Indian media that Mr Kumar had been battling health problems for a long time. His son said, ‘It is the grace of God that he bid farewell to this world peacefully. His funeral will be held tomorrow morning’.

It is pertinent to note that Manoj Kumar was born in 1937 in Abbottabad, (now Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan), which was then part of the subcontinent, and his name was Harikrishnan Goswami.

Mr Kumar made his Bollywood debut in the film Fashion in 1957, after which he got a role in Kanch Ki Guriya (1961), where he acted opposite Saeeda Khan. His roles in patriotic films like Apkar (1967), Purab Aur Pachham (1970), and Kranti (1981) earned him the nickname 'Bharat Kumar'. He also directed and acted in Shor (1972).