There’s something about Manoj Kumar that lingers long after the credits roll. Maybe it’s the way his eyes spoke before he did, or how he could stand still in a song and still make you feel everything. Be it as a fiery revolutionary or a quiet lover, the songs filmed on him always carried weight, not just because of their lyrics or tunes, but because of the honesty he brought to them. Here’s a look back at some unforgettable songs that weren’t just performed by Manoj Kumar.
When asked to express his opinion on the socio-political scene on India’s 65th Republic Day, veteran actor Manoj Kumar claims that he finds the situation similar to what he witnessed during India independence in 1947. “I feel as insecure as I felt in 1947 in Lahore (now in Pakistan). There are communal riots, and there is no unity nor harmony in the country,” he says.
I have a question for people who grew up listening to Hindi music in the 1960s, particularly those who played antakshari. Please answer honestly. Which song did you sing when you got the letter ‘D’ (pronounced as in Delhi)? “Dum dum diga diga” (Chhalia, 1960)? And which song came straight out of your mouth when you got ‘N’? “Na na kar ke pyaar tumhi se kar baithe” (Jab Jab Phool Khile, 1965)? Who composed these songs?
