Veteran actor Manoj Kumar breathed his last in Mumbai on Friday, April 4, leaving the entire film industry heartbroken. Along with his patriotic films, the late actor was also known for his no-nonsense attitude, and people got a glimpse of it back in 2008 when he accused Shah Rukh Khan of mocking him and went on to sue him for Rs 100 crore.
It all began when the 2007 film Om Shanti Om, starring SRK and directed by Farah Khan, released in theatres and in the film, SRK’s character was seen covering his face with his hands in a satirical imitation of Kumar. This did not go well with the veteran actor, and he threatened to file a lawsuit against SRK and the makers in 2008, if they did not remove the scene and tender and apology.
However, Kumar lost his cool when Om Shanti Om released in Japan later with the scene being a part of the film, and he thus sued SRK and the makers for “disrespecting” him, seeking Rs 100 crore in damages.
Kumar’s lawyer had claimed that SRK had sent a written apology to the veteran actor via e-mail after the fiasco, but despite his assurances, the objectionable scene was a part of the version of Om Shanti Om that was released in Japan. He also said that Kumar was “highly upset and shocked”.
“The film was released in Japan without deleting those scenes. I had forgiven them twice but not this time. They have disrespected me. They also face contempt of court as in 2008 the court had asked them to forever and from all prints and broadcast material, delete those scenes,” Kumar had blasted.
However, in August 2013, Kumar decided to withdraw his case against SRK stating that it failed to instill a sense of responsibility in SRK and Farah. “They didn’t even show any remorse. As a result of which, my client who is a world renowned celebrity, has decided to withdraw the case because it has failed in achieving the objective of bringing some sense of responsibility to Shah Rukh Khan and Farah Khan,” Kumar’s lawyer had said.
Meanwhile, Manoj Kumar, who was also known as ‘Bharat Kumar’, died at the Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai on April 4 after suffering a massive heart attack. He was admitted to the hospital on February 21, and his health had worsened due to decompensated liver cirrhosis.
According to a family member, the late actor will be cremated in the presence of his near and dear ones at Pavan Hans Crematorium in Mumbai on Saturday.
