By Jagmohan Singh Barhok
On His Birth Anniversary
आई है वो बहार कि नग़मे उबल पड़े
ऐसी खूशी है कि आँसू निकल पड़े
होंठों पे हैं दुआएं मगर दिल पे हाथ है
अब किस को क्या मिला ये मुक़द्दर की बात है
Manoj Kumar fashioned his entry into films before Dhamendra, Feroz Khan, Rajesh Khanna & Prem Chopra, though they all tasted stardom almost about the same time. Dharmendra made it with “Phool Aur Pathar”, Feroz Khan with “Arzoo”(1965) & Manoj came into limelight following the success of his film “Haryali Aur Rasta” (1962), a musical drama opposite Mala Sinha. The film is remembered for its haunting melodies- “Yeh Hariyali Aur Yeh Rasta”, “Allah Jaane Kya Hoga Aage” ,”Bol Meri Taqdeer Mein Kya Hai” & “Kho Gaya Hai Mera Pyar” under the music score Shankar Jaikishan. Vijay Bhatt (of “Baiju Bawra” fame ) produced & directed the film followed by “Grahasti” directed by Kishore Sahu & produced by S. S. Vasan, another musical social drama featuring Ashok Kumar, Nirupa Roy Manoj Kumar. The film turned out to be a box offie bonanze receiving appreciation from different quarters. Two songs from this film “Ja Ja Re Ja Deewane Ja” & “Khile Hai Sakhi Aaj Phoolwa Man ke” were liked by the crowd.
“Shaheed” (1965) featuring Manoj Kumar, Prem Chopra ,Anant Marathe , Kamini Kaushal , Nirupa Roy & Pran did wonders for the actor & it is considered his best film on patriotic theme as an actor. Pran, in a brief role, did exceptionally well asking every now & then “Eh Bharat Mata Kee Cheeze Hundi Hai”. I watched this film at Almora, a hill station in UP at that time. “Himalay Ki God Mein”, another musical hit & suspense thriller “Gumnaam” were other notable films of the same year 1965.
Raj Khosla’s “Do Badan” also starring Asha Parekh,Simi Garewal & Pran was another worth seeing film with Pran playing a positive role. The film had many hit numbers including “Naseeb Mein Jiske Jo Likha Tha”, “Jab Chali Thandi Hawa” & “Lo Aa Gayi Unki Yaad Woh Nahi Aaye” to mention only three. “Upkaar” (1967) written & directed by Manoj Kumar starring Asha Parekh,Prem Chopra, Madan Puri , Kamini Kaushal, Kanhaiyalal & Laxmi Chhaya proved a blockbuster with many popular songs like- “Deewanon Se Ye Mat Poocho”, “Kasme Waade Pyar Wafa”, “Mere Desh Ki Dharti” & “Gulabi Raat Gulabi”. The film won 2 National Award for its theme, content & production including 7 Filmfare Awards in different categories besides 3 nominations. It also marked the zenith of Bharat Kumar’s ( as he was then commonly called) film career.
It would be injustice if I did not mention “Woh Kaun Thi” another suspense drama conceived by Raj Khosla starring Manoj Kumar & Sadhna under the music score Madan Mohan. The film continues to haunt cine-goers even today with hits like “Lag Jaa Gale Ke Phir”, “Naina Barse Rimjhim” & “Chhodkar Tera Pyar Ka Daman” to mention some. The film received 3 Nominations winning 1 for Best Photography Black & White. “Patthar Ke Sanam” starring Waheeda Rehman opposite Manoj Kumar with Mumtaz, was another popular social drama with some hits like- “Mehboob Mere” & “”Tauba Yeh Matwali Chaal”. “Sajan” (1969) featuring Manoj Kumar,Asha Parekh, Madan Puri, Shatrughan Sinha was another well directed suspense drama that kept the audience glued to their seats after interval. Parts of the story were adapted from Hollywood movies.
“Purab Aur Paschim”, “Mera Naam Joker”, “Roti Kapda Aur Makaan”, “Sanyasi”, “Amaanat” & “Kranti” were other notable films of the actor. “Shor” was another popular film of the actor with a lovely song “Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai” written by Santosh Anand under the music score Laxmikant Pyarelal.
The actor who was impressed by Dilip Kumar also did “Aadmi” (1968) & “Kranti” (1981) with him. Manoj Kumar ventured to create “Upkar” on insistence from the then PM Lal Bahadur Shastri who died without seeing the movie. Interestingly, Manoj Kumar’s film “Be-Imaan” (1972), directed by Sohanlal Kanwar, starring Raakhee, Prem Chopra, Prem Nath & Pran won 7 Filmfare Awards with Pran refusing his .
Married to Shashi Goswami of Haryana, the couple is blessed with two sons. Bestowed with National Film Award for “Upkaar”, 7 Filmfare Awards besides Padma Shri & Dada Saheb Phalke Award for his contribution to Hindi cinema as an actor, producer & director.
