Actor Manoj Kumar, also known as Bharat Kumar, passed away today at the age of 87. The iconic face of Indian cinema often comes to mind when one hears the song "Bharat Ka Rehne Wala Hoon, Bharat Ki Baat Sunata Hoon." Manoj Kumar had been unwell for the past few days and was admitted to Kokilaben Hospital in Mumbai, where he breathed his last.He is survived by his wife Shashi Goswami and their son Kunal Goswami. Speaking to ANI, Kunal shared, 'My father, Manoj Kumar, sadly passed away today at 3:30 AM at Kokilaben Hospital. He had been unwell for a few days, but he faced everything with great courage. By God’s grace and the blessings of Shirdi Sai Baba, he took his last breath peacefully. His final rites will be performed tomorrow morning. He had been battling illness for many years. He was to turn 88 in the next two months but passed away at 87. He was very joyful, loved talking to everyone, and had a special affection for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was just a bit unwell due to age-related issues."
Kunal, who runs a catering business, had initially tried his hand at acting. Manoj Kumar had put in a lot of effort to shape his career, though Kunal didn’t achieve the same level of success.Manoj Kumar was honored with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his invaluable contribution to Indian cinema. Apart from acting, he also excelled as a writer and director. His films like Shaheed, Upkaar, Purb Aur Paschim, and Kranti spread the message of patriotism far and wide. This is why he earned the beloved title of Bharat Kumar. His movies often focused on social issues, the struggles and challenges faced by farmers, and national unity.
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. The reports also confirmed that Manoj had been battling decompensated liver cirrhosis in the past few months, which contributed to his declining health. He was admitted to the hospital on February 21, 2025, after his condition worsened. Manoj was particularly known for his patriotic films. The actor was given the nickname 'Bharat Kumar'. Speaking about the late actor, filmmaker Ashoke Pandit told ANI, “Sad to inform you all that the legendary Dadasaheb Phalke award winner, our inspiration and the 'lion' of the Indian film industry, Manoj Kumar Ji is no more.”