Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India], April 4 (ANI): Veteran actor-director Manoj Kumar, also known among his fans as Bharat Kumar, breathed his last on Friday morning at Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital.

Remembering Kumar, Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, via his post on X, talked about how the late actor made films that uplifted India.

'Manoj Kumar ji made films that uplifted our country, our cinema, and focused on unity with unmatched sincerity. A legend in every sense. His films shaped an era and left a mark on our cinema. Thank you, sir. You will always be 'Bharat' to us,' SRK posted.

https://x.com/iamsrk/status/1908129784023875603

Born Harikrishan Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan), Kumar became an iconic figure in Indian cinema, especially in the 1960s and 1970s. The actor was affectionately known as 'Bharat Kumar' for his iconic roles in patriotic films like Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, and Shaheed.

Apart from acting, Kumar also made significant contributions as a director and producer. His directorial debut Upkar (1967) won the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film. Other successful films directed by him include Purab Aur Paschim (1970) and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), both of which were major successes critically and commercially.

Leaders from across the political spectrum, including Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, and Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, shared heartfelt tributes, praising his contributions to Indian cinema and his ability to instill national pride through his work.

Prime Minister Modi called him an 'icon of Indian cinema,' praising his ability to inspire national pride through his films. (ANI)