Manoj Kumar, Bollywood’s original patriot, dies: His lasting legacy

Dubai: Veteran actor, filmmaker, and writer Manoj Kumar — the man who gave India its most enduring image of cinematic patriotism — died in Mumbai on April 4 at the age of 87. Born Harikrishan Goswami in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan), Kumar wasn’t just an actor; he was a movement. He was an emotion.

Long before nationalism became a marketable trend in Bollywood, Manoj Kumar owned that space. He was the poster child of patriotic cinema in India — crafting characters named Bharat and delivering stirring monologues on sacrifice, identity, and love for the motherland that still echo today.

In Upkar (1967), inspired by Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan,” Kumar’s portrayal of a humble farmer-turned-soldier captured the soul of a young nation. The image of him, wounded and draped in the tricolour, crawling on a blood-soaked battlefield with “Mere Desh Ki Dharti” playing in the background, remains one of Indian cinema’s most powerful visuals.

His storytelling continued in Purab Aur Paschim (1970), Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974), and the grand epic Kranti (1981). Each film was a reflection of India’s evolving identity — tackling issues like cultural erosion, unemployment, and freedom.

Honoured with the Padma Shri in 1992 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015, Kumar’s influence extended beyond the screen. He became a symbol of what it meant to love your country — without spectacle or propaganda, but with sincerity.