Veteran Actor-Director-Screenwriter Manoj Kumar Considered Bhopal A ‘City Of Adab’
Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Legendary actor, director and writer Manoj Kumar, who passed away in Mumbai on Friday, had last visited Madhya Pradesh in 2007. The Madhya Pradesh Government had feted Kumar with Rashtriya Kishore Kumar Samman for the year 2007-08. The award was given to him for screenwriting.
He had visited Khandwa - the birthplace of versatile playback singer and actor Kishore Kumar - to receive the award. He thanked the MP Government for the award and said that he was feeling proud to get the award in the name of Kishore Kumar.
“He was a very humble and down-to-earth person. He not only accepted our invitation but also visited Khandwa to receive the award from Mumbai via Indore,” said an official from Culture Department Pramod Dekate, adding that “we went to receive him at the airport from where we drove to Khandwa”
Noted Film and TV actor Rajeev Verma said that he had met with Manoj Kumar once at a promotional event in Mumbai. “I just greeted him and touched his feet. He was a thorough gentleman. He is loved and respected not only in the film industry but by people at large because of his patriotic films like Kranti, Purab Aur Paschim, Upkar and Shaheed,” Verma said, adding that “he was a very good director and filmmaker, besides a consummate actor.”
Ghazal singer Julfikar Ali said that he had met Manoj Kumar at the screening of the film ‘Ghayal’ in Mumbai in 1991-92. “Father of actor Abhay Deol introduced me to Manoj Kumar Saheb. He praised Bhopal saying that “I heard that it is a ‘city of Adab’.” Known for iconic films with patriotic themes, Manoj Kumar had earned the honorific Bharat Kumar.
Great loss: CM
Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his condolences on the demise of renowned actor Manoj Kumar, saying that this is a great loss not only to the film industry and the world of art but also to the nation. Kumar brought India's cultural heritage to life through films like "Purab Aur Paschim" and "Kranti." Through his films, he made a meaningful effort to connect the common people with the roots of the country. The nation will never forget his contributions.
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