“Bharat Kumar’s Final Curtain Call: Bollywood Pays Homage to a Legend”

A heartfelt prayer meeting was held on Sunday evening to honor the memory of legendary actor Manoj Kumar, who passed away on April 4 at the age of 87. The gathering, organized by his family, saw an outpouring of love and respect from several Bollywood celebrities, paying tribute to the iconic figure whose films left an indelible mark on Indian cinema.

 

Among the first to arrive were Bollywood stalwarts Aamir Khan, Jaya Bachchan, and Farhan Akhtar. Aamir Khan was seen warmly greeting Kumar's family members outside the venue, while Farhan Akhtar was accompanied by his mother, Honey Irani. Jaya Bachchan, reflecting on her association with the legendary actor, shared a brief conversation with music director Anu Malik before heading inside. Esha Deol, daughter of Hema Malini, also paid her respects, folding her hands in a gesture of reverence at the entrance.

 

Veteran actor Prem Chopra, who had shared screen space with Kumar in films like Shaheed, and actress Aruna Irani, who was launched by Kumar in Upkar (1967), were also present. Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan arrived with his wife, Pinkie Roshan, adding to the strong presence of Bollywood luminaries at the prayer meeting.

 

Manoj Kumar was cremated with state honors at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Mumbai on Saturday, a farewell attended by prominent figures like Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Salim Khan, and Arbaaz Khan. Born Harikrishan Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan), Kumar rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s, earning the affectionate title "Bharat Kumar" for his iconic roles in patriotic films such as Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, and Shaheed. Beyond acting, he made significant contributions as a director and producer, with his directorial debut Upkar (1967) winning the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film.

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