Script Play Writer, Director & HERO MANOJ KUMAR

My first encounter with this “son of India” was on screen, witnessing his acceptance of the prestigious Phalke Award, my applause echoing in my living room. Though I met him only once in person, his presence in my life has been constant. He was an “unknown soldier” in civilian guise, his impact no less significant than a military commander leading troops in the face of India’s greatest challenge: poverty.

A friend’s call brought shocking news: “Did you know… Manoj Kumar passed away today?” The words left me numb.

Manoj Goswami, also known as Bharat or Manoj Kumar – the tall, handsome hero from Uttar Pradesh who graced the Bombay Film Industry – was more than just a film star to me. He was, and remains, a guiding light. To me, he was akin to a divine figure, and such spirits live on within us.

The scene in “Roti Kapada Makan” at India Gate in New Delhi, where his character admonished his brother, declaring, “This is worse than death!” resonated deeply. Since then, India Gate has become a sacred place for me. Whenever I stay in New Delhi at K.G. Marg, near Maharashtra Sadan, my visits to India Gate after my morning routine are a ritual, given its proximity to Baroda House.

Screenplay writer, director, and my personal hero, Manoj Kumar, holds a truly revered place in my heart. When in New Delhi, I often visit India Gate to observe the “unknown soldier” standing steadfast with his rifle, serving the nation. It is there that I also see Manoj Kumar, the writer and director, inspiring countless young men to become soldiers, to join the ranks of the motherland’s unsung heroes. As a college student, I was undoubtedly one of those he inspired.
(Rt)