'Very few people knew the art of song picturisation better than him. The camera and the music were joined at the hip,' Director Sudhir Mishra noted in his tribute to movie legend Manoj Kumar, who passed into the ages on April 4, 2025.
Unswerving Deshbhakti
Whether the Shaheed hero's chanting Aye Watan Aye Watan Humko Teri Kasam or boasting Mere Desh Ki Dharti Sona Ugle, the passion in his desh bhakti is unprecedented.
Boyish Good Looks
Back in the day, Manoj Kumar's handsome disposition and smile earned him the title of Mr Right, the kind Indian mommies dream of giving away their daughters' hand to.
The Coy Romantic
Whether he's chatting up a sari-clad spirit or making out behind trees or statues or the heroine's pallu, Manoj Kumar's demure tactics stood out in a crowd of eager Romeos.
Swag
Before he transformed into Mr Bharat, Manoj Kumar displayed a fair deal of sauciness and coolth.
Dapper Dude
He may not have Dev Anand's inborn flamboyance (or scarves collection) or Shammi Kapoor's maverick style, but Manoj Kumar is a picture of sleek sophistication in his reliable stock of tweeds, bandhgalas, berets.
Idealism Zindabad
Manoj Kumar's commitment to stories promoting Indian culture and moral values while pointing out the need for an effective social structure is reflected unabashedly in his brand of cinema.
It may not have always worked, but his enthusiasm remained intact.
Multitalented Kumar
Acting, direction, production, editing, Manoj Kumar proved his worth in multiple roles, tackling themes like corruption, unemployment, farming woes, the freedom struggle, the perils of Westernisation packaged as classic Hindi film entertainment.
Lights, Camera, Imagination
There's a story that Manoj Kumar delayed the shooting of Upkar for several days till he was satisfied with the light in a particular shot.
This obsession with inventive camera angles and unique compositions is most visible and much appreciated by colleagues, collaborators and cinemagoers.
Keen Musical Ear
Be it Shor's Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma, Kranti's Zindagi Ki Na Toote Ladi, Purab Aur Paschim's Koi Jab Tumhara Hriday Tod De, Upkar's Mere Desh Ki Dharti or Roti Kapda Aur Makaan's Main Na Bhoolunga, Manoj Kumar extracted unforgettable melodies from composers and lyricists.
That Signature Pose
The most popular thing about a star is also the most parodied.
Be it Dev Anand's head bobble, Shah Rukh Khan's stutter or Manoj Kumar's famous hand gesture concealing a good part of his face.
Manoj Kumar's 10 BEST Performances
When Manoj Kumar Broke No-Intimacy Rule