THE JHARKHAND STORY DESK
Mumbai, April 5: Veteran actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, fondly hailed as ‘Bharat Kumar’ for his iconic portrayal of patriotic characters in Indian cinema, was cremated with full state honours and a three-gun salute in Mumbai on Saturday.
The 87-year-old legend passed away on Friday at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital due to age-related ailments.
Amitabh Bachchan, Salim Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Arbaaz Khan, Subhash Ghai, Anu Malik, Zayed Khan, Prem Chopra, and Rajpal Yadav were among the many film industry personalities who gathered at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Juhu to bid him a final farewell.
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The funeral began around 11:30 am, with Kumar’s sons, Vishal and Kunal, lighting the pyre. Earlier, his mortal remains, draped in the tricolour and adorned with tri-coloured flowers, were taken in an ambulance from his residence around 10:30 am.
Born as Harikrishan Goswami in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan) before India’s partition, Kumar’s family relocated to Delhi in 1947. He pursued his education at Delhi University’s Hindu College before moving to Mumbai to chase his dreams in the film industry.
Over a remarkable career, he delivered classics such as “Shaheed”, “Upkar”, “Purab Aur Paschim”, “Roti, Kapda aur Makaan”, “Kranti”, “Himalaya Ki God Mein”, “Do Badan”, “Patthar Ke Sanam”, and “Hariyali Aur Raasta”.
Manoj Kumar, whose cinematic journey left an indelible mark on Indian cinema, is survived by his wife Shashi and two sons.
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