Manoj Kumar: The Box Office King of the 60s & 70s Who Dominated Top Actor Charts a Record Eight Times

India lost one of its most beloved film legends on Friday. Manoj Kumar, popularly known as Bharat Kumar, was a Bollywood icon and a legend of Hindi cinema who was very popular for his patriotic and socially relevant movies. Manoj Kumara was not just an actor; he was a very talented director and a writer as well. He was also one of the most successful stars of the 1960s and 1970s and dominated the industry with back-to-back box office hits. His massive popularity gave him a spot in Box Office India's "Top Actors" list eight times between 1967 and 1976, which was achieved by very few actors in Bollywood history.

The Great Bollywood legend

Manoj Kumar was born as Harikrishna Giri Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan) and later on adopted his screen name after being inspired by Dilip Kumar's character in the film Shabnam, which was released in 1949.

He began his journey in Bollywood with small roles, and later on, his big break came with the 1962 film Hariyali Aur Rasta, which made him a household name. Manoj Kumar shot to fame with Woh Kaun Thi? Released in 1964, Himalay Ki God Mein released in 1965, and Do Badan came in 1966. However, it was his patriotic films, like Kranti, that gave him the title of Bharat Kumar among fans.

Film Industry Mourns Manoj Kumar's Death

Manoj Kumar's biggest contributions to Bollywood were his patriotic films that resonated deeply with audiences. One of his very celebrated movies, Upkar (1967), was inspired by Lal Bahadur Shastri's "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" slogan and was a massive success. The film was about the life of an Indian soldier and a farmer. This movie earned him the Filmfare Best Director Award that year.

His other patriotic movies include Purab Aur Paschim, which came out in 1970. A cult classic that showed Western influences on Indian traditions. The movie was a massive success.

In 1974 Roti Kapda Aur Makaan was released, which revolved around the socio-political drama showing unemployment and poverty. Lastly, the most famous Kranti, a 1981 historical drama about India's fight for independence. These films dominated the box office and were loved by his fans.

During his peak years, Manoj Kumar was one of Bollywood's highest-paid actors, consistently delivering blockbuster hits. He shared screen space with legends like Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Hema Malini, Shashi Kapoor, and Asha Parekh. His work earned him numerous awards, including the Padma Shri in 1992 for his contribution to Indian cinema. Manoj Kumar's passing marks the end of an era in Bollywood. His films, dialogues, and unforgettable performances will continue to live on in the hearts of movie lovers.

Even after stepping away from the limelight, his impact was still there in Bollywood. His movies are still loved by his fans and are relevant in today's era as well. Manoj Kumar's death is definitely an end of an era and has created a deep void in the Hindi film industry.