Manoj Kumar is a patriotic hero who is often known as Mr. Bharat for his skillful acting as well as directing the patriotic film. Born as Harikishen Goswami in Abbottabad, a town of the North-West Frontier Province, Pakistan, he was inclined to Bollywood superstar Dilip Kumar from his youth due to which he renamed himself as Manoj Kumar which was Dilip Kumar`s on-screen name in `Shabnam`.

Career of Manoj Kumar He debuted in `Fashion` in the year 1957. He landed his first leading role in `Kaanch Ki Gudia`. In that film Sayeeda Khan starred opposite to him. This followed with other films like `Piya Milan Ki Aas` and `Reshmi Roomal`, setting the stage for the Vijay Bhatt directed `Hariyali Aur Raasta` in the year 1962 opposite Mala Sinha. After that Manoj Kumar was seen in `Woh Kaun Thi` in the year 1964, and reunited with Vijay Bhatt and Mala Sinha in `Himalaya Ki God Mein` in 1965. Manoj`s image as the patriotic hero started with the 1965 film Shaheed, which was based on the life of Bhagat Singh. His acting was awesome and he became the iconic figure. At that time with memories of the India-Pakistan War still fresh, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri asked him to create a film based on the popular slogan `Jai Jawan Jai Kissan`. And with a result the viewers got the masterpiece and his directorial debut, Upkar in the year of 1967. In it, he managed to convincingly play both a jawan and a kissan. The film was also noted for the famous song `Mere Desh Ki Dharti`, written by Gulshan Bawra. The song was composed by Kalyanji Anandji and sung by Mahendra Kapoor. Upkar also won Manoj Kumar his first Filmfare Best Director Award. The film was a huge hit and made Manoj the authority of Bollywood patriotism. After dabbling in various roles in the late 1960s, Manoj returned to patriotic themes in `Purab Aur Paschim`, in which life in the East and West are juxtaposed. In the year 1972 he starred in Be-Imaan and directed and starred in `Shor`. `Shor` which was opposite with Jaya Bhaduri, was not a huge box office success, but it did feature the memorable song `Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai`.

In mid-1970s Manoj Kumar acted in three hit movies. One of them was `Roti Kapda Aur Makaan`. This was a social commentary that won him his second Filmfare Award for Best Director. The other one was `Sanyasi` which was a religious-themed comedy. The third one was Dus Numbari which also turned out to be a hit. In 1981 Manoj reached the peak of his career when he got the opportunity to direct his idol, Dilip Kumar as well as star in Kranti. This was the story about the struggle for Indian independence in the 19th century. `Kranti` was the last notable successful film in his career. After Kranti, Manoj`s career began to decline as many of his films failed at the box office including his 1989 released film `Clerk`.

He quit acting just after his flop film Maidan-E-Jung. He tried to revive his patriotic aura in his son, Kunal Goswami and directed the 1999 film `Jai Hind` which was a flop as well. Manoj Kumar entered politics following his retirement. Before the 2004 general election in India, it was announced that he had officially joined the ranks of the Shivsena. Recently he came into limelight because of Farah Khan`s `Om Shanti Om`.

Awards received by Manoj Kumar
He was an award winning actor who has awarded many a times in his career. In the year 1968 he got Filmfare best movie award for `Upkaar` and for the same film `Upkaar` he also got Filmfare best director as well as best story award. The film also got Filmfare best dialogue award for `Upkaar`. In the year 1968 the film got national film award for second best feature film for `Upkaar`. It also got BFJA awards as best dialogue for `Upkaar`. In the year 1972 he was awarded Filmfare best actor award for `Be-Imaan`. In 1975 he got Filmfare best director award for `Roti Kapda Aur Makaan`. Manoj Kumar got Filmfare lifetime achievement Award in the year 1999. He also got Star Screen lifetime achievement award in the year 2008

Filmography