Manoj Kumar, an actor-filmmaker has given us such timeless odes to nationalism as Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim and the classic of his oeuvre Shor, an exquisite indictment of noise pollution, is no more.
Shatrughan Sinha, who worked with Manoj Kumar in the 1981 blockbuster Kranti calls him the master of nationalism. “Bharat, the hero Manoj Kumar played in his films, became a symbol of hope for every young Indian. In Roti Kapada Aur Makaan he addressed unemployment. In Purab Aur Paschim he spoke of the brain drain. The song Mehngai maar gayi in the former and Hai preet jahan ki reet sadaa in the latter encapsulates the Manoj Kumar brand of nationalism. Unlike today’s pseudo-patriots Manoj Kumar was a true patriot. I salute him as the symbol of nationalism in our divided film industry.”
Sanjay Leela Bhansali designates himself an ardent fan of Manoj Kumar’s cinema. “Manoj Saab was a textbook of filmmaking. The passion with which he shot his films is visible in every frame of his cinema. I learnt to give my hundred percent to every shot from Manoj Kumar. His love for his country was genuine. Manoj Kumar was a trueblue patriot. I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim and Roti Kapada Aur Makaan.”
Manoj Kumar’s cinema about the love of his country began with Upkar in 1967. The writer-actor-director ’s passionate paean to patriotism sailed to salient summits of human reform on the strength of Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan ‘Jai Jawaan Jai Kissan’. Manoj Kumar played Bharat, who was both a farmer and soldier in the film. This masterpiece influenced hordes of youngsters to respect the farmer’s vocation and to join the army.
Then came Purab Aur Paschim in 1970. “Bharat ka rehne wala hoon Bharat ki baat sunata hoon,” sang Manoj in his favourite voice of Mahendra Kapoor. In the film, Manoj Kumar goes to London to teach the Gora Log a lesson or two on Bhartiya Sabhyata. This wonderfully jingoistic film holds together surprisingly well even after all these years. Saira Banu in the miniest of minis, played a confused desi girl whose blond hair made no sense. But the film did. Manoj Kumar’s patriotism rings true even today.
Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, in 1974, was born out of Manoj Kumar’s childhood memories. When he was in Class 8, a senior student named Dewan at a school function chanted, ‘Maang raha hai Hindustan roti kapada aur makaan.’ That’s where the idea came to Manoj. Roti Kapada Aur Makaan is more relevant today than ever before.
Manoj Kumar never intended to be a director in the first place. He became one by default when during the shooting Shahid in 1964 Manoj had to direct the film unofficially. Then, Lal Bahadur Shastri raised the slogan of Jai Jawan Jai Kisan. That’s how he made Upkar. The rest is not just history, but also hysteria at the box office.
