Golden Era of Bollywood: Happy Birthday MANOJ KUMAR-Mr BHARAT

Monday 24 July 2017

Happy Birthday MANOJ KUMAR-Mr BHARAT

Manoj Kumar, also known as “Bharat” Kumar for his nationalist and patriotic films like Purab Aur Paschim, Upkar and Kranti was born on 24th July 1937.He may not have Dev Anand's inborn flamboyance (or scarves collection) or Shammi Kapoor's maverick style but Manoj Kumar is a picture of sleek sophistication in his reliable stock of tweeds, bandhgalas and berets.
The actor got his first big break in 1960 with Kaanch Ki Gudia, but it was Hariyali Aur Raasta that established him. He went on to star in romantic hits like Honeymoon, Apna Banake Dekho, Naqli Nawab, Do Badan, Paththar Ke Sanam, Sajan and Sawan Ki Ghata.Kumar's image as the patriotic hero started with the 1965 film Shaheed, based on the life of Shaheed Bhagat Singh, . 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 (hail the soldier, hail the farmer).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 Kumar is a multitalented person he not only acted but also produced,directed and edited many films.His obsession with inventive camera angles and unique compositions is most visible and much appreciated by his colleagues, collaborators and cinemagoers.He has Keen ears for the music also.He deserves an extra pat on his back for extracting many unforgettable melodies like Shor's Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma, Kranti's Zindagi Ki Na Toote Ladi, Purab Aur Paschim's Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday Tod De, Upkar's Mere Desh Ki Dharti or Roti Kapda Aur Makaan's Main Na Bhoolunga, from his music directors and lyricists.
After Kranti, Kumar's career began to decline in the 1980s as all of his subsequent films failed at the box office. In 1989, he cast Pakistani actors Mohammad Ali and Zeba in his film Clerk. He quit acting after his appearance in the 1995 film Maidan-E-Jung. He directed his son, Kunal Goswami, in the 1999 film Jai Hind which had a patriotic theme. The film was a flop and was the last film Kumar worked on.
In 1992, he was honoured with the Padma Shri by the Government of India. India's highest award in cinema, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, was bestowed him in 2016.
Song from Manoj Kumar's First Film Fashion 1957