Mumbai: A prayer meeting to honor the legendary actor and filmmaker Manoj Kumar, who passed away on the morning of April 4, will take place on Sunday, April 6, at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Mumbai. The event will be held between 4 pm and 6 pm.
In a statement released by his family, they expressed their deep sorrow, announcing his passing: “With a heavy heart, we inform the demise of our beloved SHRI MANOJ KUMAR JI (Shri Harikrishan Goswami) – July 24, 1937 – April 4, 2025. He made the nation proud with his passion, vision, and cinematic brilliance.” The message further added, “The PRAYER MEETING for peace to his departed soul will be held on Sunday, April 6, 2025, at the J.W. Marriott Hotel, Juhu, Mumbai, from 4 pm to 6 pm.”
Manoj Kumar was laid to rest with full state honors on Saturday at the Pawan Hans crematorium in Mumbai. The funeral was attended by prominent figures from the film industry, including Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Salim Khan, and Arbaaz Khan.
The actor, who passed away at 4:03 am on April 4 at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai after battling a prolonged illness, was born Harikrishan Goswami on July 24, 1937, in Abbottabad (now in Pakistan). He became an iconic figure in Indian cinema, particularly during the 1960s and 1970s. Known affectionately as “Bharat Kumar” for his memorable roles in patriotic films like Upkar, Purab Aur Paschim, and Shaheed, Manoj Kumar’s legacy is etched in the history of Indian cinema.
Beyond acting, Kumar made significant contributions as a director and producer. His directorial debut, Upkar (1967), won the National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film. Other successful films directed by him, including Purab Aur Paschim (1970) and Roti Kapda Aur Makaan (1974), were both critically and commercially successful.
