Fri Apr 04 01:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Legendary Bollywood Director Manoj Kumar Passes Away at 87
**Mumbai, India** – Veteran Bollywood director and recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, Manoj Kumar, passed away on Friday at the age of 87. He had been battling an illness for some time and breathed his last at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai.
Born Harikrishna Goswami in 1937, Kumar entered the film industry in 1957 with the film “Fashion.” He gained recognition after acting in “Kanch Ki Gudiya” and subsequently established himself as a successful director, writer, and actor. Known for his patriotic films, he became popularly known as “Bharat Kumar.”
Over a career spanning more than 40 years, he directed numerous blockbuster films featuring leading Bollywood actors. His 1974 film “Roti Kapada Aur Makaan,” starring Amitabh Bachchan, was a landmark success. Kumar’s contributions to the Indian film industry were recognized with the Padma Shri award in 1982 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2016.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences on social media, calling Kumar an icon of Indian cinema and praising his patriotic films which, he said, would continue to inspire generations.
Kumar’s legacy extends beyond his films; his work consistently promoted nationalistic sentiment and reflected a deep sense of Indian pride. His death marks the end of an era in Hindi cinema.
First Piper 