Manoj Kumar, also lovingly known as Bharat Kumar has carved a niche for himself in Indian cinema. His movies served the right blend of patriotism, romance, and social commentary. His legacy spans decades, with films that not only entertained but also inspired generations. Films like Woh Kaun Thi, Shor, Be-Imaan and more have made him a formidable actor in the industry. Interestingly, he also starred in a movie titled Jatt Punjabi, which became a huge regional hit. We remember the late actor by taking you through a list of his 10 best films. These classics continue to be binge-watched by the newer generation. They truly define one of the best eras of Bollywood.
Woh Kaun Thi? (1964)
Shaheed (1965)
Gumnaam (1965)
Upkar (1967)
Neel Kamal (1968)
Purab Aur Pacchim (1970)
Shor (1972)
Be-Imaan (1972)
Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974)
Kranti (1981)
Woh Kaun Thi? (1964)
Director: Raj Khosla
Cast: Sadhana Shivdasani, Manoj Kumart, Parveen Choudhary, Prem Chopra and Helen.
Directed by Raj Khosla, Woh Kaun Thi? is a haunting romantic thriller that has showcased Manoj Kumar’s versatility as an actor. The late actor plays Dr. Anand, who picks up a young woman at the side of the road. She asks to be dropped off at a graveyard. Anand’s mother later reveals that she has arranged a marriage for her son and his wife-to-be is the young woman whom he met on that night. The film is remembered for its suspenseful narrative and Lata Mangeshkar’s unforgettable melodies like Lag Ja Gale.
Shaheed (1965)
Director: S. Ram Sharma
Cast: Manoj Kumar, Kamini Kaushal, Pran, Prem Chopra, Nirupa Ray, Karan Dewan, Manmohan and Madan Puri
Shaheed features Manoj Kumar as the legendary freedom fighter, Bhagat Singh. His powerful portrayal of the freedom fighter earned him immense acclaim. The film’s patriotic fervor and soul-stirring songs like Sarfaroshi Ki Tamanna made it a cult classic.
Gumnaam (1965)
Director: Raja Nawathe
Cast: Manoj Kumar, Nanda, Mehmood, Pran, Tarun Bose, Dhumal, Manmohan and Madan Puri.
The suspense thriller, Gumnaam, is one of Manoj Kumar’s best movies. It remains a fan favorite for its gripping storyline. Some guests are stranded on a mysterious island. The atmosphere becomes eerie when the host or the island’s owner are nowhere to be found. An unknown and vengeful person begins killing the guests one after the other.
Upkar (1967)
Director: Manoj Kumar
Cast: Manoj Kumar, Kanhaiyalal, Asha Parekh, Prem Chopra, David Abraham Cheulkar, Manmohan Krishna, Pran and Manmohan
Manoj Kumar starred in and directed Upkar. It is set in the backdrop of the Indo-Pakistan war in 1965. It explores the contributions of farmers and soldiers to India. A defining film in Manoj Kumar’s career, Upkar marked his transformation into a filmmaker. Inspired by Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan “Jai Jawan Jai Kisan,” Kumar played both soldier and farmer. After the movie’s release, the song Mere Desh Ki Dharti became an anthem of patriotism.
Interestingly, the actor also started being known as ‘Bharat Kumar’ after the film’s release. Manoj Kumar and team received Best Film, Best Director, Best Story and Best Dialogue awards at Filmfare Awards for the acclaimed movie.
Neel Kamal (1968)
Director: Ram Maheshwari
Cast: Manoj Kumar, Waheeda Rehman and Raaj Kumar
Neel Kamal is a reincarnation drama, starring Manoj Kumar, Waheeda Rehman and Raaj Kumar. Manoj Kumar plays the role of Ram, who rescues Sita (Waheeda Rehman). Ram and Sita eventually get married but Sita displays very strange behaviour, like walking away during the night for long durations. Ram finds out more about Sita’s sleepwalking, which is related to someone else from one of her previous births. Manoj Kumar’s role as the caring husband was lauded by audiences and critics alike.
Purab Aur Pacchim (1970)
Director: Manoj Kumar
Cast: Manoj Kumar, Pran, Ashok Kumar, Saira Banu, Nirupa Roy and Prem Chopra
Purab Aur Pacchim is a movie that opens up on pitting Indian values against Western influence. The story follows Bharat (Manoj Kumar), who hails from a traditional Indian family. He is sent to London by his father, who hopes that exposure to the western world will allow him to improve his career prospects. However, upon arriving in London, Bharat is shocked to witness the stark contrast between his values and the Westernised lifestyle that his fellow countrymen are now living.
Shor (1972)
Director: Manoj Kumar
Cast: Manoj Kumar, Nanda Karnataki, Jaya Bachchan, Satyajeet, Naaz, Prem Nath and Kamini Kaushal
Shankar (Manoj Kumar) is a mill worker, who has a happy life with his wife Geeta (Nanda Karnataki) and son Deepak (Satyajeet). A tragic accident kills Geeta. The shock of it damages Deepak’s vocal cords. Shankar helps Deepak regain his ability to talk. He can’t afford the cost of Deepak’s surgery and keeps trying. Shankar’s mom (Kamini Kaushal), sister (Naaz), Khan Badshan (Prem Nath) and Rani (Jaya Bachchan) offer support. The movie is also known for the classic song, Ek Pyaar Ka Naghma Hai.
Be-Imaan (1972)
Director: Sohanlal Kanwar
Cast: Manoj Kumar, Raakhee, Premnath, Pran and Prem Chopra
Manoj Kumar won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor for Be-Imaan. It explores redemption and morality through a well-crafted story. Shyam (Manoj Kumar) and Sapna (Rakhee Gulzar) love each other and want to tie the knot. However, Sapna’s father opposes their alliance. He actively puts his influence at work to persuade Sapna to break up with Shyam.
Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974)
Director: Manoj Kumar
Cast: Manoj Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Shashi Kapoor, Zeenat Aman, Moushumi Chatterjee and Prem Nath
The film centers around Vikram (played by Manoj Kumar). He struggles to make a living and provide for his family. He works hard but faces troubling times and constant setbacks. Throughout the film, Vikram deals with poverty, corruption, and social injustice. His aim is to ensure that his family has a better life with enough roti (food), kapda (clothing), and makaan (shelter). Manoj Kumar also won the Best Director award for the movie at the Filmfare Awards.
Kranti (1981)
Director: Manoj Kumar
Cast: Dilip Kumar, Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Parveen Babi and Hema Malini
Manoj Kumar directed and starred in Kranti. A multi-starrer magnum opus, it marked a patriotic comeback for him as both actor and director. The movie also features Dilip Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Parveen Babi, Hema Malini and more. The film was a massive box office success and rekindled national pride.
See Also: Legendary actor Manoj Kumar passes away at 87
