Legendary actor and director Manoj Kumar passed away today. He breathed his last at Mumbai’s Kolilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. He was 87. As per reports on a leading news portal, he suffered from cardiogenic shock after an acute myocardial infarction. As the film industry mourns his demise, several actors and directors are sharing heartfelt tributes.

Tributes pour in for Manoj Kumar

Akshay Kumar took to his X handle to share an old photo of the late Manoj Kumar. He wrote, “I grew up learning from him that there’s no emotion like love and pride for our country. And if we actors won’t take the lead in showing this emotion, who will? Such a fine person, and one of the biggest assets of our fraternity. RIP Manoj Sir.”

I grew up learning from him that there’s no emotion like love and pride for our country. And if we actors won’t take the lead in showing this emotion, who will? Such a fine person, and one of the biggest assets of our fraternity. RIP Manoj Sir. Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/sr8U4Wkqgq

— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 4, 2025

Sharing a still from his film, Ajay Devgn wrote, “Manoj Kumar ji was not just a cinematic icon – he was a personal milestone in my family’s journey. He gave my father, Veeru Devgan, his very first break as an action director in Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. From there, their collaboration continued all the way to Kranti, creating moments that are now part of Indian cinema’s golden history. Manoj ji’s films – Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, Shor, Kranti, they weren’t just films…they were national emotions. His creative genius, unwavering patriotism, and storytelling depth set a benchmark that very few have matched. As Indian cinema bids farewell to its Bharat Kumar – a storyteller, a patriot, and a legend. I also wish to say thank you for shaping my father’s journey and for inspiring countless storytellers like me. Your legacy, Manoj ji, is eternal. Om Shanti.”

Manoj Kumar ji was not just a cinematic icon – he was a personal milestone in my family’s journey. He gave my father, Veeru Devgan, his very first break as an action director in Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. From there, their collaboration continued all the way to Kranti, creating… pic.twitter.com/1SiKmrpfpQ

— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) April 4, 2025

Karan Johar took to his Instagram story to mourn Manoj Kumar’s loss. He wrote, “Today we lost a Hindi cinema Legend… Shri Manoj Kumar…… It took me back to a screening of Kranti I saw as a child… sitting excitedly on the floor with other kids and a packed screening room of filmmaker’s and actors and industry giants… this was the ROUGH CUT of the film… a 4 hour long version…. Manojji was sharing his film at such an early stage seeking feedback… seeking opinions for his ambitious motion picture ……the film went on to create history at the box office.”

Director Madhur Bhandarkar shared rare photos with Manoj Kumar on his X handle and shared, “I am saddened by the passing of the legendary actor & filmmaker, Manoj Kumar Sir, I had the privilege of interacting with him at many occasions , and he was truly an icon of Indian cinema. His storytelling & song picturizations in his films inspired national pride and will resonate for generations. My deepest condolences to his family members & admirers. #OmShanti”

I am saddened by the passing of the legendary actor & filmmaker, Manoj Kumar Sir, I had the privilege of interacting with him at many occasions , and he was truly an icon of Indian cinema. His storytelling & song picturizations in his films inspired national pride and will… pic.twitter.com/dZCyDFfIQh

— Madhur Bhandarkar (@imbhandarkar) April 4, 2025

Meanwhile, director Vivek Agnihotri wrote, “India’s first truly original and committed Indic filmmaker, Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Shri Manoj Kumar ji, left us today. A proud nationalist. A staunch Hindu at heart. A visionary director who gave Indian cinema a new grammar — of song picturisation, of meaningful lyrics, of cinema that didn’t just entertain but remembered to belong. He made patriotism cinematic, without noise. He made nationalism poetic, without apology. In a time of borrowed voices and secondhand aesthetics, he dared to be rooted. Patriots and artists like him never die. They simply transcend — into memory, into celluloid, into the nation’s heartbeat”.

India’s first truly original and committed Indic filmmaker, Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Shri Manoj Kumar ji, left us today.

A proud nationalist.
A staunch Hindu at heart.
A visionary director who gave Indian cinema a new grammar — of song picturisation, of meaningful lyrics, of… pic.twitter.com/Te8PNBbIv5

— Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri (@vivekagnihotri) April 4, 2025

About Manoj Kumar

Manoj Kumar, who was born as Harikrishan Goswami, made his debut in 1957 with Fashion Brand. After starring in lesser-known films like Sahara (1958), Chand (1959) and Honeymoon (1960), he bagged his first leading role in Kaanch Ki Gudiya (1961). He soon found success with Hariyali Aur Rasta (1962). He then went on to star in successful films like Woh Kaun Thi? (1964), Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), Shaheed (1965), Upkar (1967) and more.

He is survived by his wife Shashi and two sons, Kunal and Vishal. Our condolences are with the family and friends of the deceased.

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