Veteran actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar passed away today at the age of 87, leaving a remarkable legacy of patriotic cinema that garnered him the esteemed title of 'Bharat Kumar'. He once recounted an intriguing story about the origins of this title, recognizing that it brought with it a profound sense of duty.

How Manoj Kumar got the title of 'Bharat Kumar'?

In a recent interview with Lehren Retro, Manoj discussed the origins of his title, 'Bharat Kumar'. He explained that his performance as the character 'Bharat' in the 1967 film Upkar endeared him to the public, ultimately leading to the affectionate title of 'Bharat Kumar'.

Manoj stated, “Often, a well-crafted character is remembered by their name. I considered that since India is a rural nation, primarily composed of farmers, I would name the character Bharat. His life is intertwined with agriculture, and a girl enters his life like a shimmering poem, which is why I chose the name Kavita for her.”

He elaborated, “I named him Bharat because he resides in a village, and this is a nation of farmers. The people in our country are incredibly compassionate; when they encounter something authentic and admirable, they express unparalleled love and respect. I was merely an ordinary boy, but you all transformed me into 'Bharat'. You honored me, but also placed a significant burden on me to uphold that image.”

The actor also mentioned that he refrained from physical interactions with heroines on screen after receiving the title. He reasoned that if one aspires to embody ideals, engaging in romantic scenes would undermine their credibility.

Manoj Kumar dies at 87

Manoj Kumar died at the age of 87 in Mumbai. As reported by the news agency ANI on Friday morning, he died at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital at 4.03 am. His moral remains will be kept at his Juhu residence from Friday afternoon so that industry colleagues and fans can pay final respects. Cremation will most likely take place on Saturday.

According to medical reports, as reported by ANI, the cause of his death was identified as cardiogenic shock due to acute myocardial infarction, a severe heart attack. He had been battling decompensated liver cirrhosis in the past few months, which contributed to his declining health.

Manoj was particularly known for his patriotic films. His iconic roles in films like Shaheed, Upkar, and Rang De Basanti resonated deeply with the patriotic sentiments of the Indian public.

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