It was 24 July 1937, in the vibrant city of Abbottabad, that a son was born to H. L. Goswami. He was named Harikrishna Goswami, the boy who would one day become Manoj Kumar, the actor, director, and producer who would bring fame to his family name. Abbottabad was his maternal hometown, where his mother had come before his birth, while his ancestral village was Jandiala Sher Khan in the Sheikhupura district. It was the same village where the celebrated Punjabi Sufi poet Waris Shah, the author of the timeless classic Heer, had lived. Manoj Kumar’s father was a poet of Urdu, and thus, the love for that language flowed naturally in his blood.
Manoj Kumar carried with him fond memories of Lahore, Jandiala Sher Khan, and Abbottabad, memories that stayed with him all his life. Everything was calm and ordinary until the announcement of the Partition of India. Soon, reports of riots began pouring in from different cities. His family initially believed the unrest was temporary and that life would soon return to normal.
But with each passing day, tension deepened. Eventually, Manoj’s father made the painful decision to abandon their ancestral home and move across the border. From Jandiala Sher Khan, their journey of migration led them to Delhi, where they found refuge near Hudson Lines in a refugee camp. Life had changed overnight. Slowly, however, a new chapter began. Manoj’s father restarted his work from scratch, and Manoj resumed his studies, completing his bachelor’s degree from Hindu College.
The atmosphere at home was steeped in poetry and literature, and Manoj too developed a love for both, along with a growing fascination for cinema. He vividly remembered how, after watching Jugnu, he became an ardent admirer of Dilip Kumar. Later, when he saw Shabnam, starring Dilip Kumar and Kamini Kaushal, he was struck by the character played by Dilip, whose name was Manoj. It was then that the boy born in Abbottabad, Harikrishna Goswami, decided to call himself Manoj Kumar.
Though living in Delhi, his heart was set on the world of films. He clearly remembered the day 9 October 1956, when, at the age of 19, he left Delhi for Bombay to chase his dreams. A tall, handsome young man, six feet one inch in height, and an excellent player of cricket and hockey, Manoj arrived in Bombay, but entering the film world was no easy feat. Fortunately, his uncle had already settled there, which solved his problem of accommodation.
Manoj Kumar passed away at the age of 87, leaving behind a body of work that continues to speak to generations
A year later, he got his first small role in the film Fashion (1957), where, interestingly, he played a 90-year-old man, though he himself was only 20. More small parts followed in Sahara (1958), Chand (1959), and Honeymoon (1960). Then, in 1961, he landed his first leading role in Kaanch Ki Gudiya. That same year, he appeared in three more films: Piya Milan Ki Aas, Suhag Sindoor, and Reshmi Rumal. The next year brought more films: Apna Banake Dekho, Doctor Vidya, and Grihasti.
Then came the turning point that opened the doors to stardom: Raj Khosla’s suspense classic Woh Kaun Thi? (1964), which became a major box-office success. Its gripping story, strong performances, and haunting music made it unforgettable. The film featured two timeless songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar, Lag Ja Gale and Naina Barse Rimjhim Rimjh, both instant classics. This was the success Manoj Kumar had long awaited.
The following year brought another milestone: Shaheed (1965), based on the life of Bhagat Singh, in which Manoj portrayed the revolutionary hero. His performance received immense acclaim. That same year, Himalay Ki God Mein and Gumnaam were also released, both well-received. In 1966, another hit followed Do Badan, directed by Raj Khosla, with lyrics by Shakeel Badayuni and unforgettable songs sung by Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar (Raha Gardishon Mein Har Dam, Lo Aa Gayi Unki Yaad).
By now, Manoj Kumar had established himself in the industry and understood its intricacies. After conquering acting, he turned to directing. His directorial debut, Upkar (1967), broke new box-office records. Audiences loved his patriotic roles, seeing in them a sincere expression of love for the motherland. Soon, he was affectionately called Bharat Kumar instead of Manoj Kumar.
In 1968, he starred in Neel Kamal (with Raj Kumar) and Aadmi (with Dilip Kumar). In 1969 came another hit, Sajan. The following year, Purab Aur Paschim (1970) further elevated his fame, blending nationalism with emotional storytelling.
In 1972, his performance in Be-Imaan won him the Filmfare Award for Best Actor, and the same year, he received another Filmfare Award for Shor. Then came Roti, Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), which he also directed, and in which he gave Amitabh Bachchan an important role. This film too became a box-office success. Later, he made Kranti (1981), a grand historical film that marked Dilip Kumar’s return to cinema after five years. Manoj both directed and acted in it, and it became one of the year’s biggest hits.
After Kranti, Manoj continued to make films, but the decline had begun. The film industry’s trends were changing. He launched his son, Kunal Goswami, as a hero in Jai Hind, but the film failed at the box office. Manoj Kumar’s long, glittering career was drawing to a close. For his contribution to cinema, he received several honours, including Filmfare Awards, the Padma Shri, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, recognition of his versatile brilliance as a screenwriter, actor, lyricist, director, and editor.
In his later years, Manoj Kumar had stepped away from filmmaking, but the moonlight of his yesteryears continued to illuminate his legacy. Even as age quietened his public life, the memories of Lahore, Abbottabad, and Jandiala Sher Khan remained deeply woven into his heart.
One can imagine the longing he carried to walk again through those familiar lanes where the fragrance of his childhood would always call to him. Manoj Kumar passed away at the age of 87, leaving behind a body of work that continues to speak to generations.