10 Best Manoj Kumar Films to Remember Him By

On July 24, 1937, a boy was born in British India named Harikrishan Giri Goswami.

When he was aged ten, his family shifted to Delhi due to the Partition of India.

After pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree from Hindu College, Harikrishan became interested in films. 

Having seen Shabnam (1949), starring his idol Dilip Kumar, the young man adopted the screen name of Manoj Kumar. 

His early experiences must have planted the seed for a patriotic fervour which would shine in his career in the years to come.

Across a lengthy film career which spanned over three decades, Manoj Sahab has cultivated an evergreen and inspiring legacy.

Paying tribute to him, DESIblitz proudly presents ten great films of Manoj Kumar.

Woh Kaun Thi (1964)

Director: Raj Khosla
Stars: Sadhana, Manoj Kumar, Helen, Ratnamala, Prem Chopra, KN Singh

Raj Khosla’s mystery thriller Woh Kaun Thi brought Manoj Kumar into the limelight after a spate of forgettable films.

Manoj Sahab plays Dr Anand, who stumbles across a peculiar woman during a stormy night.

The woman introduces herself as Sandhya (Sadhana) and this paves the way for one of Bollywood’s most intense and gritty thrillers.

Woh Kaun Thi is filled with twists, turns, and terror as Anand must navigate the loss of his girlfriend and this strange woman who bears an uncanny resemblance to her.

Guru Dutt initially intended to make this film, but when Raj Khosla took over the script, Manoj Sahab helped rewrite the plot.

He showcased his talent for writing and production, as well as foraying his acting ability in the film.

Although Sadhana has the pivotal role in Woh Kaun Thi, it is undeniable that Manoj Sahab is the backbone of the film, without whom it would be incomplete.

Shaheed (1965)

Director: S Ram Sharma
Stars: Manoj Kumar, Prem Chopra, Anant Purushottam Marathe, Kamini Kaushal

There are many Indian cinematic adaptations based on the life of Bhagat Singh, but Shaheed was perhaps one of the first ones.

This drama may have kicked off the celluloid fascination of the anti-colonial revolutionary.

Manoj Sahab portrays Bhagat Singh in Shaheed, delivering a remarkable performance packed with emotion and nuance.

To prepare fully for the role, Manoj Sahab talked to people who were personally involved in Singh’s life, including the freedom fighter’s mother.

A viewer of the film writes: “I was so awestruck by the honesty and dedication of Manoj Kumar.”

In an interview, Manoj Sahab expressed the impact the film made. He says:

“People say I have made Bhagat Singh alive. He will be always alive. His mother used to call me Bhagat.”

If people were not convinced of Manoj Sahab’s talent before Shaheed, they definitely were after it. 

Patthar Ke Sanam (1967)

Director: Raja Nawathe
Stars: Waheeda Rehman, Manoj Kumar, Pran, Mumtaz

In this romantic drama, Manoj Sahab stars as Rajesh who comes across the wealthy Meena (Mumtaz).

When Meena and her friend Taruna (Waheeda Rehman) begin teasing Rajesh, he plays along with them.

However, Patthar Ke Sanam is much more than a role-playing game. It descends into complicated emotions and genuine heartache.

For one of the first times in his career, Manoj Sahab shows how skilled he is as a romantic hero.

Reviewing the film for Blogspot, a writer praises Manoj Sahab and notes: “The surprise package was Manoj Kumar.

“He was quite funny with his quick one-liners, did some good romance and even danced sometimes.”

Patthar Ke Sanam is adorned with a glistening soundtrack, including the haunting title track, rendered beautifully by Mohammad Rafi.

Upkar (1967)

Director: Manoj Kumar
Stars: Manoj Kumar, Asha Parekh, Prem Chopra, Pran

With the patriotic drama Upkar, Manoj Kumar makes a sterling directorial debut.

He also wrote the film in which he played Bharat – which is another word for India.

In the film, Manoj represents his spellbinding patriotism and he also proves that he knows his craft behind the camera as well as in front of it.

Upkar tells the story of Bharat making significant sacrifices for his brother Puran (Prem Chopra).

When Puran returns from his education, he becomes selfish and spoiled. Meanwhile, Bharat joins the 1965 Indo-Pakistani war. Will the brothers ever reunite?

Upkar features the timeless chartbuster ‘Mere Desh Ki Dharti’. Sung by Mahendra Kapoor, it plays over Bharat ploughing through a field.

The song is still played frequently during patriotic Indian celebrations including Republic Day and Independence Day.

For Upkar, Manoj Sahab won his first Filmfare ‘Best Director’ award in 1968. This film also earned him the title of ‘Bharat Kumar’. 

Neel Kamal (1968)

Director: Ram Maheshwari
Stars: Waheeda Rehman, Manoj Kumar, Raaj Kumar

This enduring classic narrates the saga of Rajkumari Neel Kamal / Sita (Waheeda Rehman).

While on a college trip, Sita is almost hit by a train when she is saved by Manoj Sahab’s Ram.

Ram and Sita marry but this provides Sita with the opportunity to discover her previous life.

How will Ram cope with the devastating events Sita’s past brings?

Also starring the veteran actor Raaj Kumar (Chitrasen), Neel Kamal is a vehicle for Waheeda, but Manoj Sahab contributes to the movie gloriously.

Paying tribute to Manoj Sahab, Waheeda says: “Let me tell you, as an actor, he was a super hit.”

The words of Waheeda are never truer in Neel Kamal. 

Purab Aur Paschim (1970)

Director: Manoj Kumar
Stars: Ashok Kumar, Saira Banu, Manoj Kumar, Pran, Nirupa Roy, Prem Chopra, Vinod Khanna

Manoj Sahab returns to the director’s chair with this engrossing drama.

Purab Aur Paschim sees Manoj Sahab reprise his ‘Bharat’ persona in the wake of the Quit India Movement in the early 1940s.

After arriving for studies in Britain, Bharat meets the Westernised Preeti Sharma (Saira Banu).

He is shocked to discover the lack of respect that Indians in the UK have for their roots and culture.

Purab Aur Paschim is a thought-provoking and essential film which highlights Manoj Sahab’s patriotism once again.

The film opens with a shot of the Indian flag transitioning to colour from black and white.

While on Koffee With Karan in 2023, Ajay Devgn delved into Raj Kapoor’s reaction to this scene:

“Raj Sahab got up and walked out. Manoj Sahab went after him and asked what was wrong.

“He replied, ‘I hate you. I cannot watch this film. How could you think of this? I could not. Your film is a super-hit and I’m not watching beyond this’.”

This anecdote displays the connection Purab Aur Paschim had with the audience.

Shor (1972)

Director: Manoj Kumar
Stars: Manoj Kumar, Jaya Bachchan, Nanda

Manoj Kumar writes, directs, and produces this family tragedy with himself and Jaya Bachchan in the lead roles.

Manoj Sahab plays Shankar who loses his wife Geeta (Nanda) in an accident.

In the accident, their son Deepak loses his voice. Shankar gives everything to return his son’s voice to him.

However, more tragedy is afoot when Deepak is given hope. Will a father ever be able to hear his beloved son’s voice again?

Shor is decorated with gut-wrenching emotions and drama. It also boasts one of Mukesh’s most popular songs.

The song is ‘Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai‘ which also capitalises on the evergreen actor-singer combinations Manoj Sahab shared with Mukesh Ji.

Talking about Mukesh Ji, Manoj Sahab expresses: “Most of my sad songs were sung by Mukesh. No one could match him in the tragic songs.

“‘Ek Pyar Ka Nagma Hai’ from my film Shor is Mukesh’s signature tune.” 

Be-Imaan (1972)

Director: Sohanlal Kanwar
Stars: Manoj Kumar, Raakhee, Pran, Prem Chopra, Prem Nath, Nazima

Manoj Sahab brings Mohan / Shyam to life in Sohanlal Kanwar’s Be-Imaan.

Shyam and Sapna (Raakhee) are in love and wish to marry but face opposition from Sapna’s rich father.

Shyam is also a key-cutter who is conned and framed for a fake murder.

This adds to the delicious drama of Be-Imaan.

In Be-Imaan, Manoj Sahab delivers a career-defining performance as an actor.

For his performance, he won his only Filmfare Award for ‘Best Actor’ in 1973.

His co-star Raakhee says: “There will never be another Manoj Kumar.”

In this film, Manoj Sahab outdoes himself and the results are there for all to see. 

Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974)

Director: Manoj Kumar
Stars: Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Zeenat Aman, Moushumi Chatterjee

This action drama resonates with the bare essentials of life in that it highlights the need for food, clothes, and shelter.

Released during the Emergency period of India, this film touched the hearts of millions which contributed to its legacy.

In the film, Bharat (Manoj Sahab) faces dire struggles to provide his family with these necessities. 

This frustrates Bharat’s girlfriend Sheetal (Zeenat Aman) who struggles to reconcile her love for Bharat and her fear of living in poverty.

She becomes attracted to her rich boss Mohan Babu (Shashi Kapoor) which adds to the layers of the film.

As his poverty depresses him, Bharat finds solace in helping others in need but also faces the dilemma of beginning a life of crime to overcome his poverty.

Topped with superb performances, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan is also notable for being the first film to feature Shashi and Amitabh Bachchan together onscreen.

The pair went on to wow audiences with their chemistry in many films including Deewaar (1975), Trishul (1978), and Namak Halaal (1982). 

Kranti (1981)

Director: Manoj Kumar
Stars: Dilip Kumar, Manoj Kumar, Shashi Kapoor, Hema Malini, Shatrughan Sinha, Parveen Babi

Manoj Kumar’s magnum-opus Kranti is famous for showcasing the comeback of Dilip Kumar after a five-year hiatus.

Kranti is a period drama set in 19th-century British India. It chronicles India’s struggle for independence between 1825 and 1875.

Regaining his ‘Bharat’ persona, Manoj Sahab portrays a prince and freedom fighter.

He holds his own against the titan Dilip Sahab who shines as Sanga, a dedicated employee in the kingdom of Ramgarh.

Kranti is the quintessential Manoj Kumar. Praising his dedication to the craft, Shatrughan Sinha, who played Karim Khan in Kranti, said:

“I used to call him the Tooty Fruity Ice Cream of the industry. All in one!

“Be it writing, directing, editing or acting, he was perfect.”

Manoj Kumar is one of Indian cinema’s most respected and talented actors and filmmakers.

His staggering body of work came to an end with Maidaan-E-Jung (1995). In 2015, he was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.

His love for his wife Shashi Goswami was so deep that he hesitated to perform romantic scenes with actresses.

Manoj Sahab’s passion and zeal for cinema will last forever in the hearts of the audience who loved his work.

Even as times change, Manoj Kumar’s unique blend of storytelling and patriotism will shine for generations to come.