Shah Rukh Khan Pays Tribute to Manoj Kumar, Who Once Filed a ₹100 Crore Lawsuit Against Him: “You Will Always Be Bharat to Us
Veteran actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, widely adored as “Bharat Kumar,” passed away on Friday morning at Mumbai’s Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital. In response to the news of his passing, Shah Rukh Khan shared heartfelt tributes on social media, honoring the legendary figure. Reflecting on Kumar’s cinematic contributions, SRK wrote, “Manoj Kumar ji made films that not only elevated our nation but also enriched our cinema with themes of unity and sincerity. A true legend whose films shaped an era and left a lasting legacy in Indian cinema. Thank you, sir. You will always be ‘Bharat’ to us.”
Shah Rukh Khan and Manoj Kumar had a brief moment of controversy in 2007 during the release of Om Shanti Om, Farah Khan’s retro-inspired hit. While the film, which marked Deepika Padukone’s debut, was widely successful, one particular scene caused a stir. In this scene, SRK’s character, Om Prakash Makhija, attempts to sneak into a movie premiere using a pass meant for Manoj Kumar. The scene parodied the iconic gesture that Kumar often made by placing his hand over his forehead, which the film turned into a comedic moment where security fails to recognize SRK’s character.
Manoj Kumar was not pleased with this portrayal and requested that the sequence be removed from the film. The filmmakers complied with his request. Shah Rukh Khan later expressed his regret, acknowledging his mistake, and said, “I was completely wrong…If he is hurt, I apologise. I called him, and the first thing he said was, ‘It’s no big deal, son.’” SRK added, “People do parody… It’s a common thing. I should have been more cautious and called him beforehand.”
At the time, Kumar’s legal advisor, Mukesh Vashi, stated that Kumar was offended by the sequence and had considered taking legal action, though he had not yet seen the film. Vashi also remarked that while Manoj Kumar had become an icon to Indian audiences, the parody had “wounded” that icon, and he stressed that moral action was more important than legal action.
In 2013, the controversy resurfaced when Om Shanti Om was re-released in Japan, with the controversial scene still intact. This time, Manoj Kumar took legal action, filing a ₹100 crore lawsuit against Shah Rukh Khan and Eros International, accusing them of breaking a previous agreement to remove the scene. His legal team claimed that SRK had promised to delete the sequence but failed to honor the agreement. Manoj Kumar also expressed his disappointment, stating, “I had forgiven them twice, but not this time. They have disrespected me.”
After years of legal proceedings, Manoj Kumar ultimately decided to drop the case, citing his frustration with the lack of accountability from Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan.
Manoj Kumar, born Harikrishan Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan), rose to prominence in the 1960s and 1970s as a major figure in Indian cinema. Known for his patriotic roles, he earned the title “Bharat Kumar” for films like Shaheed, Upkar, and Purab Aur Paschim. In addition to his acting career, Kumar also made his mark as a director and producer, with his directorial debut Upkar (1967) winning the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film. His other notable directorial works include Purab Aur Paschim (1970) and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974).
