Bollywood

BOLLYWOOD: WHAT MADE MANOJ KUMAR SPECIAL?

by Monojit Lahiri April 16 2025, 12:00 am Estimated Reading Time: 4 mins, 45 secs

Monojit Lahiri’s frank and candid take explores the predictable explosion of emotions and nostalgic tributes from colleagues and media after the legendary actor-director’s passing, questioning memory, media rituals, and sincerity.

In a time when social media dominates the national discourse and yesterday's icons are often forgotten in the glitz of today’s influencers, Monojit Lahiri offers a deeply reflective and unsparing perspective on how the Indian media and film fraternity react posthumously to the passing of stars like Manoj Kumar. With his signature candour, Lahiri questions the authenticity behind the sudden outpouring of emotion, especially in Bollywood’s Mumbai-centric circles, pointing out how collective memory often needs a death to resurface. His column resonates across metro cities and smaller towns alike, striking a chord with every Indian who has seen the golden age of Hindi cinema slowly fade into silence.

Removing the Masks

Let’s remove our masks and ask ourselves one searching question. Isn't it funny, ironic, even tragic that for human beings – especially celebrities who have faded into the dusty alcoves of memory – they need death to (briefly) reconnect them, with all cylinders firing? Touch your heart and ask yourself... When was the last time that you remembered or even thought of Mr. Bharat in the last two decades?

Except for a brief, unfortunate, and unpleasant fiasco with SRK and Farah Khan relating to their frivolous imitation of the late actor-director in Om Shanti Om, Manoj Kumar had completely vanished from our collective memory, right? In today's consumerist and social media-driven times, yesterday is history, tomorrow is mystery – today is where the action is. If you're not in the frame, you just don't exist!

Ah, but come death – miracles happen! Suddenly, everybody and their toothless aunt emerge from the woodwork to dramatically express their heartfelt, emotional, and sentimental memories about the deceased who was “really such an amazing soul!” Admittedly, I am generalising, but you get the drift...  

The Struggles and Rise

Cut to the late actor-director, a hugely successful Bollywood presence across the sixties and seventies, respected and renowned big time with the masses. At a time when the fabled trio of Dilip-Dev-Raj ruled, it was a real challenge to effect a breakthrough. So, like his colleagues Shashi and Dharam, he too struggled, sitting on their favourite bench reserved for the non-employed outside studios!

Passion, patience, perseverance and, of course, providence finally arrived with Hariyali Aur Rasta, where for the first time he drew serious audience attention and appreciation. Thereafter, he never looked back. Himalay Ki God Mein, Gumnaam, Sanyasi, Woh Kaun Thi, Do Badan, Patthar Ke Sanam, Aadmi, Dr. Vidya, Neel Kamal were only a handful of films that hit the jackpot, enhancing his brand equity as a super-marketable star, all the way.

The Director with a Nationalist Vision

It was Shaheed, followed by Upkar, that got him to diversify into direction. It appeared to have happened organically. A thinking and sensitive person who actually was deep into portrayals of national pride, patriotism, sacrifice, statements of identity, nationhood, and human struggle, it was a case of the right subjects, right time, right audience feeling.

A sharp ear to the ground and hand on the public pulse, Manoj Kumar seemed to have instinctively connected with the masses. Patriotism has, is, and will always be a powerful, matchless, and cathartic adrenaline – and when presented with the appropriate emotion, feeling, song, dance, glamour, and dialogue-baazi, it can catch fire!

Shaheed, with which he fired his first salvo, was an emotionally charged biopic of the legendary freedom fighter Bhagat Singh, presented with fervour, honesty, and sincerity that was moving. Upkar celebrated the late PM Lal Bahadur Shastri's clarion call of Jai Jawan-Jai Kisan, championing the subject as a passionate ode to the two most ignored and forgotten pillars of our nation's edifice: the farmer and the soldier.

Pushing the envelope, Purab Aur Paschim did a hard close-up of the East-West ideological tug-of-war, with a solid hit on one section of India's westernised society who – wrongly – believed everything from the West is the best!

Roti Kapda Aur Makaan was a critique on the disappointment and disillusionment of the common man caught between survival, integrity, and dignity, and other overwhelming forces at work. Kranti was a historical epic with nationalistic spirit and British tyranny clashing; a sprawling saga of rebellion and revolt against the Raj.  

Music and Lyrics – His Secret Weapon

Manoj Kumar also had an uncanny ear for lyrics and music, and this worked as a powerful value addition. Be it Mere Desh Ki Dharti, Jab Zero Diya Mere Bharat Ne – Duniya Ko Ginti Tab Aayi, Mere Rang De Basanti Chola, Bharat Ka Rehne Wala Hoon, Ae Watan Ae Watan, Kasme Wade – Pyar Wafa, Koi Jab Tumhara... even his non-patriotic film songs – Main Na Bhoolunga, Deewane Se Mat Poochho, Yeh Pyar Ka Nagma Hai – were best sellers!

A Unique, Inclusive Brand of Patriotism

Everything considered, Manoj Kumar indeed was the cherished Poster Boy of patriotism of his era, forever championing the greatness of our nation in a simple, uncomplicated, non-political manner that embraced nationhood at a grassroots level. His brand of cinema was inspirational, motivational, emotional, and vitalising – all in a positive way.

Never toxic, propaganda-driven grandstanding, arousing communal sentiments, or casting shadows on religion, caste, creed, region, etc. It was never militant or threatening… just passionate, down-to-earth love for the nation with no agenda. That was what made Bharat Kumar and his movies special.

It would be interesting to know his thoughts about today’s What’s the Josh? brand of patriotism, hai na?