Actor Manoj Kumar | Image: X
Manoj Kumar, one of the legendary actors of Indian cinema, died today, April 4, at around 3:30 AM. Actor’s son Kunal Goswami confirmed the news and shared that his father’s funeral will happen tomorrow, April 5. The actor was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai for the past few weeks and died owing to prolonged illness. The actor was synonymous with patriotism as he worked in several patriotic movies, which earned him the title ‘Bharat Kumar.’
Manoj Kumar was born into a Punjabi Hindu Brahmin family in Abbottabad. His birth name was Harikrishan Giri Goswami, but he changed his name when he was young. He admired actors Dilip Kumar, Ashok Kumar and Kamini Kaushal and decided to change his name after getting inspired by Dilip Kumar’s character in Shabnam.