Veteran actor Manoj Kumar chosen for Dada Saheb Phalke Award

Mangalore Today News Network

New Delhi, Mar 05, 2016: Veteran actor Manoj Kumar, who played the patriotic Indian in most of his films, and had the sobriquet ‘Bharat Kumar’ bestowed on him, has been chosen for the prestigious Dada Saheb Phalke Award.

The award is the highest official recognition in Indian cinema. The 78-year-old actor became the 47th recipient of the award, which consists of a golden lotus, a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh and a shawl, an official announcement said here.

Kumar’s name was unanimously recommended by a five-member jury comprising Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Salim Khan, Nitin Mukesh and Anup Jalota. Best known for his films Hariyali Aur Raasta , Woh Kaun Thi? , Himalaya Ki God Mein , Do Badan , Upkar , Patthar Ke Sanam , Purab Aur Paschim , Shaheed , Roti Kapda Aur Makaan and Kranti .

Kumar was born as Harikrishna Giri Goswami in Abbottabad, which was a part of pre-Independent India. At the age of 10, his family shifted to Delhi. He graduated from Hindu College and decided to make a career in showbiz.

Breakthrough film

The actor got his first big break 1960 with Kaanch Ki Gudia but it was Hariyali Aur Raasta that established him as a star. He went on to star in romantic hits like Honeymoon , Apna Banake Dekho , Naqli Nawab , Sajan and Sawan Ki Ghata .

The actor later shifted his focus to films with a patriotic theme by acting in films like Shaheed , based on the life of Bhagat Singh. Kumar made his directorial debut with Upkaar , which is said to be inspired by the then Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s popular slogan ‘Jai Jawan Jai Kissan’.

The actor won a National Film Award for Upkaar and was honoured with the Padma Shri by the government of India in 1992.