Manoj Kumar passed away at 87 on Friday, April 4, due to age-related ailments. The legendary actor, also fondly known as Bharat Kumar, breathed his last at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai. He was cremated on Saturday, April 5, with state honours at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Juhu, Mumbai. From Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan to Raveena Tandon and Anu Malik, Bollywood celebrities turned out in large numbers to pay their respects to the iconic star. Post the last rites, a prayer meet for him will be held on Sunday at a plush Juhu hotel.
On Friday, well-wishers from the industry arrived at Manoj Kumar’s house to bid adieu to the late actor and offer condolences to his family. From veteran actors and filmmakers such as Prem Chopra, and Dharmendra, to Farah Khan, Madhur Bhandarkar and Arbaaz Khan, several Bollywood celebs turned out at his residence.
On the day of cremation, an ambulance decked with tricolour-themed flowers carried the legendary star to the crematorium. After paying tribute at Manoj Kumar’s residence, Prem Chopra attended the final rites as well alongside Vindu Dara Singh, Salim Khan, Zayed Khan and Raza Murad, among others.
Actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn and Hema Malini paid tribute to the late icon on social media. Not just the people from the Bollywood industry, but the die-hard fans of Bharat Kumar paid homage to the iconic performer by remembering his films. From his gut-punching dialogues to the soulful patriotic songs, the admirers remembered their favourite moments of the actor on the silver screen and shared them on X (formerly Twitter).
SRK shared a heartfelt note about the deceased star and mentioned how he will always be ‘Bharat’ for us. The post reads, “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 (sic).”
Check out a few social media posts here:
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.
— Shah Rukh Khan (@iamsrk) April 4, 2025
Manoj Kumar ji was not just a cinematic icon – he was a personal milestone in my family’s journey. He gave my father, Veeru Devgan, his very first break as an action director in Roti Kapda Aur Makaan. From there, their collaboration continued all the way to Kranti, creating… pic.twitter.com/1SiKmrpfpQ
— Ajay Devgn (@ajaydevgn) April 4, 2025
Manoj Kumar is no more. Wonderful, warm, friendly person with whom I had the opportunity to work in 4 big films all under his direction – Sanyasi, Dus Numbri, Kranti and Santosh. Evergreen movies all made with a unique touch of inimitable class. Those days the directors were… pic.twitter.com/gGYF8haMxg
— Hema Malini (@dreamgirlhema) April 4, 2025
समय की धारा में, उमर बह जानी है
— Arpita 🇮🇳 (@arpita_dg) April 4, 2025
जो घड़ी जी लेंगे, वही रह जानी है#manoj_kumar श्रद्धांजलि 🙏 pic.twitter.com/7b9a3PAFKv
Heartfelt condolences for the son of the soil, pride of film industry, Maharashtra/India, a 'Bharat Ratna' in true sense, our own 'Bharat' #ManojKumar is no more. He worked in enormous movies but he will always rule our hearts with his roles in Shaheed, Upkar, Purab aur Pachhim,… pic.twitter.com/YSopTD2S1h
— Shatrughan Sinha (@ShatruganSinha) April 4, 2025
I grew up learning from him that there’s no emotion like love and pride for our country. And if we actors won’t take the lead in showing this emotion, who will? Such a fine person, and one of the biggest assets of our fraternity. RIP Manoj Sir. Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/sr8U4Wkqgq
— Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) April 4, 2025
Manoj Kumar Ji… a true legend. Thank you for the unforgettable films and memories…
— Salman Khan (@BeingSalmanKhan) April 4, 2025
Manoj Kumar not only garnered praise and popularity through his roles in famous patriotic films such as Purab Aur Paschim, Shaheed and Kranti, but also with romantic, action and suspense-drama movies such as Do Badan, Woh Kaun Thi? and Patthar Ke Sanam, among others.
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