In a somber ceremony attended by close family members, the ashes of renowned actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar were submerged in the holy Ganges River on Saturday morning at Har Ki Pauri in Haridwar. Chants echoed along the riverbanks as the immersion, which took place in the Brahma Kund, was performed in accordance with all Vedic customs. Together with other family members, the late actor’s sons Kunal and Vishal Goswami took part in the ceremony conducted by the family’s priest. After a protracted illness, Manoj Kumar, who was born Harikrishan Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan), passed away on April 4 at the age of 87. He passed away at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai at 4:03 a.m.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Manoj was a major player in Indian cinema, affectionately known as “Bharat Kumar” for his famous depictions of patriotism in films like Shaheed, Purab Aur Paschim, and Upkar. Other critically and financially successful films that were directed included Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974) and Purab Aur Paschim (1970). On April 5, Manoj Kumar was cremated at the Pawan Hans cremation in Mumbai with state honors. Bollywood celebrities Salim Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Arbaaz Khan, and Amitabh Bachchan were among those who attended the burial.
