Manoj Kumar (born Harikrishna Giri Goswami on 24 July 1937) is an award-winning Indian actor and director in Bollywood.He was born in in Abbottabad, which was then a part of Pre-Independent India. After making a little-noticed début in Fashion in 1957.In 1958 he was seen in two films with a small roles in Panchayat and Sahara. He did his debut as a hero in 1960 with Kaanch Ki Gudia with Sayeeda Khan as his heroine.later his 2 films Piya Milan Ki Aas and Reshmi Rooma released but these films didn't boosted his career.

In 1962 Hariyali Aur Raasta opposite Mala Sinha was released The film was the fourth highest grosser of the year and declared a 'Hit' at the Indian Box Office. The Music was given by Shankar Jaikishan, and with lyrics by Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri, together they created songs like "Ibteda-e-Ishk Mein Hum Saari Raat Jaage", Allah Jaane Kya Hoga Aage" song by Mukesh and Lata, plus a perennial Diwali hit, "Lakhon Taare Aasman Mein Ek Magar Dhunde Na Mila", "Dekh Ke Duniya Ki Diwali Dil Mera Chup Chap Jala" again by Lata and Mukesh

In 1963 two of his films Ghar Basake Dekho and Grahasti released.Both were family dramas,In fact Grahasti was the first film to "start the trend" of family dramas being made in South India.The film premiere was held at the Naaz Theatre in Bombay on 28 February 1963. The songs and story were appreciated by the critics. With the crowds "storming" the theatre,MotherIndia magazine commented that "Grahasti has pleased the masses.The film was a big office-office success.,Asha Bhosle's rendition of the song "Jeevan Jyot Jale" won her the "Mian Tansen Award". The song was cited as the best song of 1963 out of the 544 songs released that year from a total of 77 films. The other popular number from the film was Geeta Dutt's "Ding Dong Ding Dong Ding Lala". The music composer was Ravi and the lyrics were by Shakeel Badayuni. The playback singers were Lata Mangeshkar, Mohammed Rafi, Asha Bhosle, Geeta Dutt and Usha Mangeshkar.

In 1964 "Woh Kaun Thi" black-and-white psychological mystery film directed by Raj Khosla, starring Sadhana Shivdasani, Manoj Kumar and Prem Chopra.Music by Madan Mohan was the asset of this movie. The film became a hit at the box office. Its success had Khosla directing Sadhana in two more suspense thrillers: Mera Saaya (1966) andAnita (1967 film).

In the 1960s his successful films included romantic films like Honeymoon, Apna Banake Dekho, Naqli Nawab, Paththar Ke Sanam, Sajan, Sawan Ki Ghata and social films like Shaadi, Grihasti, Apne Huwe Paraye, Pehchaan, Aadmi and thrillers like Gumnaam, Anita, Woh Kaun Thi. made him a romantic hero but soon his image as a Patriotic Hero was to be made.

In 1965 his film Shaheed, based on the life of Bhagat Singh, the most influential Indian revolutionary.was released,it was not only commercially successful but also its songs became became very popular.In 13th National Awards Shaheed won the award for Best Feature Film in Hindi, the Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration and the award for Best Screenplay for B. K. Dutt and Din Dayal Sharma.

After the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri asked him to create a film based on the popular slogan Jai Jawan Jai Kissan .Manoj Kumar then decided to Produce ,Direct and Act in such a Patriotic Movie.The result was Kumar's magnum opus and his directorial debut, Upkaar (1967). In it, he played both a soldier and a farmer. The film was also noted for the famous song Mere Desh Ki Dharti, written by Gulshan Bawra, composed by Kalyanji-Anandji and sung by Mahendra Kapoor. Upkaar was a hit and won Kumar his first Filmfare Best Director Award.

Manoj returned to patriotic themes in Purab Aur Paschim (1970), in which life in the East and West are exposed. In 1972, he starred in Be-Imaan (for which he won theFilmfare Best Actor Award) and directed and starred in Shor (1972). The latter, opposite Nanda, was not a huge box office success on its release but has gained cult status over the years. It featured the memorable song Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai, a duet by Lata Mangeshkar and Mukesh, which was composed by Laxmikant Pyarelal and written by Santosh Anand.

In the mid-1970s Kumar starred in three hit films: Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974) was a social commentary featuring an all-star cast including Zeenat Aman, Shashi Kapoor andAmitabh Bachchan that won him his second Filmfare Award for Best Director; Sanyasi (1975) had Kumar and Hema Malini in the lead roles of a religious-themed comedy; and Dus Numbri (1976) also gave Kumar and Hema top billing. In 1981, Kumar reached the peak of his career when he got the opportunity to direct his idol, Dilip Kumar, as well as star in Kranti, a story about the struggle for Indian independence in the 19th century. Kranti was the last notable successful film in his career.

Kumar is married to Shashi Goswami . He has two sons, Vishal and Kunal. Vishal tried his luck as a singer and Kunal as an actor. His brother, Rajiv Goswami, also entered the film industry, but none were able to gain a footing in Bollywood.

He is awarded Dadasaheb Phalke Award lifetime contribution to Indian cinema in 2016 besides Padma Awards.

Rare Songs from Unreleased Films

SUNNO AE DUNIYA WALLO EK NAYA PAIGHAM LAAYA HOON UNRELEASED FILM

Zara Dekh Sanam - Manoj Kumar, Rajshree,, Grahasti Song

SAATH HO TUM AUR RAAT JAWAN NEEND KISE - Mukesh & Asha - KANCH KI GUDIYA (1961)

tum aur ham bhul ke gam..fashion1957- geeta dutt -hemant

Main Kal Phir Miloongi"'Dr. Vidya' (1962)

Listen to the classic black & white hindi song "Main Kal Phir Miloongi" from the superhit classic bollywood hindi action romantic drama movie 'Dr. Vidya' (1962) starring Vyjayanthimala, Manoj Kumar, Leela Chitnis, Nasir Hussain, Helen, Sunder, Madan Puri, Prem Chopra & Mumtaz Begum. Directed by Rajendra Bhatia. Produced by Mohan Segal. Music by S.D.Burman. This song is sung by Mohammed Rafi & Lata Mangeshkar.