“Manoj Ji’s works ignited a spirit of national pride,” PM Modi wrote.

Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar, celebrated for his roles in patriotic classics like Purab Aur Paschim and Kranti, passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai. He died at 3:30 am on Friday at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital due to heart-related complications. A secondary cause of death has been cited as decompensated liver cirrhosis.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to the actor on social media, calling him “an icon of Indian cinema” and praising his contribution to patriotic storytelling. “Manoj Ji’s works ignited a spirit of national pride,” he wrote.

Kumar's son, Kunal Goswami, told ANI that the actor had been unwell for some time. “It’s God’s grace that he passed away peacefully,” he said, adding that cremation will take place on Saturday morning.

Born Harikrishan Goswami in 1937 in Abbottabad, then British India, Kumar made his acting debut in Fashion (1957) and rose to fame with Kaanch Ki Gudiya (1961). His filmography includes major hits like Gumnaam (1965), Shaheed, Upkaar, and Kranti. He was often referred to as ‘Bharat Kumar’ for his nationalistic film portrayals.

He was awarded the Padma Shri in 1992, the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award in 1999, and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2015.