Veteran Bollywood actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar passed away at the age of 87 in Mumbai. He was best known for his patriotic films, which won the hearts of millions and earned him the unforgettable title of ‘Bharat Kumar’.

But how did he get this special name? Let’s look back at the touching story behind it.

The Story Behind the Title ‘Bharat Kumar’

In an interview with Lehren Retro, Manoj Kumar shared how he came to be known as ‘Bharat Kumar’. It all began with his 1967 film Upkar, where he played a character named Bharat.

Manoj explained, “When a character is loved, people often remember them by that name. I felt that since India lives in its villages and is a country of farmers, I should name my character Bharat. His life is deeply connected to farming. And when a girl enters his life like a beautiful poem, I named her Kavita.”

The name Bharat represented the soul of rural India. The film and the character touched people’s hearts, and the audience began calling Manoj Kumar by that name. Over time, he wasn’t just an actor anymore — he became a symbol of patriotism.

A Title That Came With Responsibility

Manoj Kumar shared that the love he received from the public was more than he ever expected. “Our people are very kind,” he said. “If they feel something is real and good, they give it so much love and respect. I was just a simple boy, but they turned me into Bharat.”

He also mentioned that the title brought with it a big responsibility. Once he was seen as ‘Bharat Kumar’, he felt he had to live up to that image. For example, he stopped doing romantic scenes in films. He believed that if he spoke about values and ideals, then dancing around with heroines would make people take him less seriously.

Manoj Kumar’s Death at 87

Manoj Kumar passed away in the early hours of Friday at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai. The cause of death was reported as cardiogenic shock due to a severe heart attack. He had also been suffering from liver cirrhosis, which had affected his health in recent months.

His body was kept at his Juhu home on Friday afternoon for family, friends, and fans to pay their final respects. His cremation is expected to take place on Saturday.

A Legacy That Lives On

Manoj Kumar’s work in films like Shaheed, Upkar, and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan left a lasting impact. He brought stories of love for the country and the struggles of common people to the big screen. For many, he will always be remembered as the face of patriotism in Indian cinema — the one and only Bharat Kumar.