Weekend

Few weeks back I had written about set of troika who got famous in Bollywood in 1950s and 1960s and they were Sunil Dutt, Shammi Kapoor & Rajendra Kumar. There was one more set of troika who started their career in late 1950s/early 1960s, and they also achieved big success in their own way, and each of them was different from other on screen. They were Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kumar and Dharmendra.   Manoj Kumar became popular for his acting in social films and he was not very comfortable in doing typical romantic hero’s role, Shashi Kapoor mainly excelled in  romantic roles, where as Dharmendra did all kind of all roles  Action, Romance, Comedy, he also did some social films also. Out of three Dharmendra had the longest inning, who is still seen in some films  produced by his banner with his sons intermittently. In today’s blog, I am covering Manoj Kumar.

Manoj Kumar  

He was born in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan) on 24^th July 1937. His real name is Harikishan Goswami. During partition his family shifted to Delhi and started staying in refugee camp. After graduating , he decided to try his luck in Bollywood. When he was young he admired actors like Dilip Kumar, Ashok Kumar and Kamini Kaushal. He had decided to name himself as Manoj Kumar, if he enter Bollywood as actor this name he chose because the name a character played by Dilip Kumar in Shabnam was known as Manoj.

After acting in few films namely Fashion,Sahara, Chand in late 50s in side roles, he got his first major break as leading actor in HS Rawail’s film Kaanch Ki Gudiya in 1960. He acted in many films as leading  man during 60s and some of the notable films were Reshmi Rumal in 1961; Haryali Aur Raasta, Dr vidya, Shaadi, Maa Beta, Naqli Nawab in 196;, Apna Banake Dekho, Grahsti in 1963; Apne Hue Paraye, Who Kaun Thi, Phoolon Ki Sej in 1964, Himalay Ki God Mein, Bedaag,  Shaheed,Gumnam in 1965.

This year was tuning point in his career, as with Shaheed he showed his interest in writing and direction. It was a rumour in those days he da ghost written and directed this film. One more thing happened, during the premier of this film, then PM Shashtri was also present and he liked the film so much that, he immediately requested Manoj Kumar to give a though of making a film based on his slogan ‘Jai jawan Jai Kisan’. Manoj who never preferred to air travel, on hs return train journey from Delhi to Bombay, he developed the idea of ‘ Upkaar, as per PM’s request, subsequently he produced, directed and wrote this film. When this film was released in 1967, PM Shastri had expired but this film received un precedent success.

In the mean time his career as actor was also doing very well. In 1966 he acted in Do Badan and Sawan Ki Ghata. Next year he acted in Pathar Ke Sanam, Upkaar, Anita. Neel Kamal and Aadmi in 1968, Sajan in 1969. Next year  he acted in Yaadgaar, Pehchan, Mera Naam Joker, and Purab Aur Paschim-beside acting in this film he wrote, produced and directed it; this film was also a great success.

In 1972, he acted in film called Be Imaan & Shor. He was also writer, director and producer of Shor. Next he acted in his production film Roti, Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), which was written and directed by him. In the later half of 70s he acted in Dus Numbari, Shidi Ke Saibaba, Amaanat.

In 1981, his production house film Kranti was released, which he wrote and directed. In this film he acted with his childhood idol Dilip Kumar. This film was also a huge success. But after this film his down fall started, and whatever films he acted produce/directed did not do well at box office. Although he was active in his career till 1999, but after 1981 he never achieved any success .So he retired.

Manoj Kumar also had good music sense, and some of his popular songs are listed below

1 Lakh Ho Taare Aasman Par, Ek Magar Dhoonde Na Mila- Hariyali Aur Raasta (F), Lata & Mukes (S), Hasrat Jaipuri, Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen with Mala Sinha.

2 Chodkar Tere Pyaar Ka Daman- Who Kaun This- who Kaun Thi (F), Lata & Mahendra Kapoor (S), Raja Mehndi Ali Khan (L), Madan Mohan (MD). On screen with Helen.

3 Chand Si Mehbooba Ho Meri Kan Aisa Maine- Himalay Ki Gpd Mein (F), Mukesh (S), Indeevar (L). Kalyanji Anandji (MD)

4 Mera Rang De Basanti Chola- Shaheed (F), Mukesh & Mahendra Kapoor (S), Prem Dhawan (L & MD0. On screen with Prem Chora.

5 Jaan E Chaman  Shola Badan- Gumnaam (F), Hasrat Jaipuri (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD). On screen with Nanda.

6 Naseeb mein Jiske Jo Likha Tha- Do Badan (F), Mohd Rafi (S), Shakeel Badayuni (L), Ravi (MD).

7 Mere Desh Ki Dharati Sona Ugle- Upkaar(F), Mahendra Kapoor (S), Gulshan Bawra (L), Kalyanji Anadji (MD).

8 Hai Preet Jahan Ki Reet Sada, Main Geet Wahan Ke Gaata Hoon- Purab Aur Paschim (F), Mahendra Kapoor (S), Indeevar (L), Kalyanji Anadji (MD).

9 Jeevan Chalne Ka Naam, Chalte Raho Subha Shaam- Shor (F), Mahendra Kapoor & Manna Dey (S), Inderjeet Singh Tulsi (L), Laxmikant Pyarelal (MD), On screen with Premnath.

10 Jai Bolo Be Imaan Ki, Jai Bolo- Be Imaan (F), Mukesh (S), Varma Malik (L), Shankar Jaikishan (MD).

These wete some of the songs which are my favourite.

Manoj is now retired from film making.

Waiting for your views/comments/feed backs.

Anil Malik

Mumbai, India

11 December 2020