Legendary actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, who passed away at the age of 87, leaves behind not just a legacy of patriotic cinema, but also stories of humility and heartfelt gestures that spoke volumes about his character. One such moment, often overlooked, is how he chose to donate his entire National Award prize money for his 1965 film Shaheed to the family of freedom fighter Bhagat Singh.
Manoj Kumar had revealed that he did not think twice before giving away the award money. “I donated the entire amount I got for my national award for Shaheed to Shaheed Bhagat Singh’s family. Awards do give any creative person a sense of satisfaction. I am happy that the government has at last rewarded my work,” he said. Shaheed, directed by S. Ram Sharma, remains one of the most iconic patriotic films in Indian cinema. It featured a stellar cast including Kamini Kaushal, Pran, Iftekhar, Nirupa Roy, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri and Anwar Hussain, with Manoj Kumar portraying Bhagat Singh.
A Legacy Rooted in National Pride
Manoj Kumar later went on to receive another National Award in 1967 for his film Upkar, further cementing his reputation as the face of patriotic storytelling in Hindi cinema. He shared in the same interview how he once interacted with legendary filmmaker Satyajit Ray during a film festival. When asked if Ray had seen Upkar, the acclaimed director admitted he found it melodramatic. Kumar responded by pointing out similar dramatic moments in Ray’s Charulata. The exchange ended with Ray affectionately acknowledging Kumar’s wit.
Final Days and National Recognition
Affectionately known as ‘Bharat Kumar’, Manoj Kumar breathed his last at 4:03 am at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. He suffered cardiogenic shock due to an acute myocardial infarction and had been battling decompensated liver cirrhosis for months. Admitted to the hospital in February 2025, his health continued to decline.
Throughout his illustrious career, Manoj Kumar acted in and directed several films that championed themes of nationalism and social unity. His memorable performances in Shaheed, Upkar, and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan earned him national acclaim. Recognizing his contributions, the Indian government awarded him the Padma Shri in 1992 and the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015, the highest honor in Indian cinema.
