Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 4 : Renowned devotional singer Anup Jalota experessed grief over the passing away of legendary actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar whom he said was his "Godfather" in the film industry.
Jalota said, "I am deeply saddened by his demise because 'vo mere film industry ke Godfather the' (he was my God father in the industry). He brought me in limelight by making me sing songs for the film 'Shirdi Ke Sai Baba'. His blessings always remained with me. 'Vo aese producer-director the jo bharat vaasiyum mein deshbhakti jagane ka kaam karte the..'
The legendary actor was honoured with the Padma Shri in 1992 and Dadasaheb Phalke Award, highest award in the field of cinema in the year 2015.
Jalota recalled the day he had received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, "I was in Delhi when he was honoured with the award and I was so happy to see him getting recognised for his contribution to cinema. Everyone was happy...Manoj ji aap amar hai aur amar rahenge...'"
Actor, producer and director Dheeraj Kumar, who worked with the late actor in films like 'Roti Kapada Aur Makaan', 'Kranti' and others said, "He has the qualities of good actor, director, writer and prooducer as well as he was a good human being. I worked with him in many fims and his memories as a human being and filmmaker will always remain with us."
The legendary actor and filmmaker breathed his last today at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai after battling a long illness.
Born Harikrishan Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan), Kumar became an iconic figure in Indian cinema, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. The actor was affectionately known as "Bharat Kumar" for his iconic roles in patriotic films like Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, and Shaheed.
Apart from acting, Kumar also made significant contributions as a director and producer. His directorial debut Upkar (1967) won the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film.
Other successful films directed by him include Purab Aur Paschim (1970) and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), both of which were major successes critically and commercially.
Leaders from across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, shared heartfelt tributes, praising his contributions to Indian cinema and his ability to instill national pride through his work.
Prime Minister Modi called him an "icon of Indian cinema," praising his ability to inspire national pride through his films.
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