Manoj Kumar funeral: Late actor given state honours; wife breaks down during last rite rituals |

Veteran actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar will be laid to rest with state honours today, April 5.
The 87-year-old screen icon, whose patriotic films left an indelible mark on Indian cinema, passed away on April 4 following a prolonged illness. Keeping to schedule, his mortal remains were transported from the hospital to his home for the final rites.
As per protocol, Kumar’s mortal remains were wrapped in the Indian national flag. Visuals from his residence earlier in the day showed an ambulance decorated with tricolour-themed flowers.
His grieving family, including son Kunal Goswami, was joined by close friends, and well-wishers, who gathered to pay their last respects. Photos from the funeral saw Kumar’s wife breaking down in tears during the ceremony.
Kunal, who had earlier confirmed the news of his father’s passing, expressed his gratitude for the peaceful manner in which his father departed. “It’s the grace of God that he bid adieu to this world peacefully,” he told reporters. The family that the cremation will take place at the Pawan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai at 11:30 AM.
Dr. Jitender Singh Shunty, a Padma Shri awardee and President of Shaheed Bhagat Singh Sewa Dal, also attended the last rites.
Speaking to ANI, Dr. Shunty praised Kumar’s unwavering patriotism and the powerful messages conveyed through his films.
“The message he gave through his movies, whether it was Jai Jawan Jai Kisan, Shaheed-e-Azam, Roti Kapda Aur Makaan, or Shor, no one in this world can forget his movies. Such people don’t die. They are immortal because their songs and their thoughts will live on. I have been a fan of him since childhood,” Dr. Shunty said.
He also reflected on the personal relationship he shared with the actor, adding, “It was a father-son relationship with him, and also a friend’s relationship. In Covid, he gave me a lot of courage, that Shanti, don’t be afraid, don’t be scared, serve bravely, and like Bhagat Singh, do something for the country, the world will remember. Manoj Kumar ji’s patriotism, his feelings, he loved the country with all his heart.”
Widely known as “Bharat Kumar” for his iconic portrayals of patriotic roles, Manoj Kumar was not only a celebrated actor but also a respected director and writer. His directorial debut, ‘Upkar,’ won the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film, and his other films, such as ‘Purab Aur Paschim’ and ‘Roti Kapda Aur Makaan’ (1974), were both critically and commercially successful.
He earned prestigious awards, such as the Padma Shri (1992) and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2015).