Manoj Kumar (b. 1937)

Hindi actor, director and producer born in Abbotabad, North West Frontier Province (now Pakistan) as Hari Krishna Goswami. Went to India on Partition and lived in a refugee camp near Delhi. Début as actor in his cousin Lekhraj Bhakri’s films. Broke through with Kaanch Ki Gudiya and Hariyali Aur Raasta. Wellknown hero in 60s commercial Hindi socials, e.g. as Bhagat Singh in the biopic Shaheed. Worked as a ghost director before his official début. Described his directorial début, Upkaar, as a ‘16000-foot-long celluloid flag of India’. Indulges in national chauvinism, contrasting son-of-the-soil goodness with Western evil, providing moral lessons together with the commercially attractive scenes of the abhorred debauchery (e.g. Purab Aur Paschim). Prominent campaigner for the fanatic Hindu communalist Bhartiya Janata Party in 1991 elections. Also acted in his productions.

FILMOGRAPHY (* also d): 1957: Fashion; 1958: Panchayat; Sahara; 1959: Chand; 1960: Sunehri Raatein; 1961: Kaanch Ki Gudiya; Piya Milan Ki Aas; Reshmi Rumal; Suhaag Sindoor; 1962: Apna Banake Dekho; Banarasi Thug; Dr Vidya; Hariyali Aur Raasta; Maa Beta; Naqli Nawab; Shadi; 1963: Ghar Basake Dekho; Grihasthi; 1964: Apne Huye Paraye; Phoolon Ki Sej; Woh Kaun Thi; 1965: Bedaag; Gumnaam; Himalay Ki God Mein; Poonam Ki Raat; Shaheed; 1966: Picnic; Do Badan; Sawan Ki Ghata; 1967: Upkaar*; Anita; Patthar Ke Sanam; 1968: Admi; Neel Kamal; 1969: Saajan; 1970: Purab Aur Paschim*; Mera Naam Joker; Pehchan; Yaadgaar; 1971: Balidan; 1972: Shor*; Beimaan; 1974: Roti Kapda Aur Makaan*; 1975: Sanyasi; Amanat; 1976: Das Numbri; 1977: Shirdi Ke Sai Baba; 1981: Kranti*; 1987: Kalyug Aur Ramayan; 1989: Clerk*; Santosh; Deshwasi; 1995: Maidan-e-Jung.

Actor

Director

Producer